The fact is that our world is now incredibly digitally-driven and it continues to move this way at an even more rapid pace. Concurrently, cybersecurity needs to have the same fundamental importance as healthcare in our daily lives. With inescapable global events leading to rapid global shifts and huge numbers of people to work, study, and socialise remotely, we’re all more vulnerable than ever yet what cybersecurity precautions have we taken alongside this?
Recent data shows that cybersecurity weak points are already being targeted due to COVID-19. In work contexts alone, an April 2020 (ISC)² survey of cybersecurity professionals found that 23% of them had seen an increase of cybersecurity incidents within their organisation since remote work began – in some cases they said incidents had doubled. Further to this, in the rush to move teams offsite and ensure systems could function remotely, the cybersecurity focus was replaced with other IT-related tasks with 47% of cybersecurity respondents saying they had actually been taken off some or all of their typical security duties.
Speaking plainly, we should all be concerned about the security of our systems and networks. While organisational or business networks are already weakened with remote access to systems not designed for mass decentralisation of workers, Robert McFeely also notes that phishing and smishing scams are one the rise, seemingly playing on people’s fears amid the pandemic.
Existing, and Emerging Cyber Threats
Based on the way a range of weak points are being exploited, Christopher R. Wilder says, “From a cybercrime perspective, COVID-19 revealed a new breed of bad actors, sources, methods and attack vectors that would never have been exposed without a crisis like this.” Add to this the reality that home networks either lack professional security measures or are run using outdated hardware and the digital risk has a carryover effect between the professional and personal.
Every person has as much responsibility in their day-to-day life as their working life to know about cybersecurity so they can easily uphold best practices whether they’re remotely their work accounts or adding a new smart home device.
This topic is explored in more depth with the infographic, ‘Cybersecurity Trends to Know in 2020’, from Paradyn. The graphic provides essential analysis on five key trends that remain as relevant as ever, especially in the face of a public health crisis that poses digital risks regardless of whether people are working remotely or sheltering in place with their family.
