Did you know an attacker can be present on a network for more than 200 days before being detected? Or the rate of cybercrime increased by 600% during the COVID pandemic? And that the total cost of all cybercrime damages in 2021 is expected to reach about $6 trillion worldwide?
If you think those are alarming statistics, imagine what can happen to your organization during a cyberattack? Sensitive employee and client information could be compromised, operating systems altered, and proprietary information exposed. The damages to your organization ... and reputation could be irreparable.
How do security breaches happen?
Typically, hackers gain control of an organization’s network using a privileged account within 24-48 hours of initiating the attack. They then move silently through the network, to avoid actions that would alert IT of their presence. If discovered, it’s often by chance or an external notification.
Hackers can also launch business email compromise (BEC) attacks at organizations. These attacks are phishing attacks that involve an attacker manipulating an executive into sending a wire transfer of company funds to an attacker-controlled bank account. Attackers do this by earning the recipient’s trust. They then establish a foothold by sending a phishing email to the executive, typically someone who is authorized to issue and request large money transfers. If successful, they use these trusted email addresses to request wire transfers of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Everyone is at risk!
Every day, organizations across all industries are hit by some form of cyberattack. Even the smallest businesses aren’t small enough to stay off the radar of cybercriminals. If your business uses even a single computer or smartphone to conduct operations, then it’s at risk of falling victim to a cybercriminal searching for a pay day.
What’s Next?
If we piqued your attention and you want to learn more about where cyberattacks are coming from, who the victims are and how they occur, then download our 'Anatomy of a Data Breach' Infographic.
No organization should have to go through the disruptive process of dealing with a breach. Be proactive. Take steps to protect your data, and your reputation.
Give us a call to talk to one of our security experts today.
Sources | https://www.businessinsider.com/top-un-official-warned-of-cybercrime-spike-during-pandemic-2020-5
https://services.global.ntt/en-us/insights/2021-global-threat-intelligence-report
https://cybersecurityventures.com/annual-cybercrime-report-2020/