The Cybercrime & Security Forecast: What it looks like for 2018
Outline
Cloud computing is paving the way in which we conduct our business, personal and social lives. However, the road ahead will be bumpy. Increasing amounts of data stored online only broadens cyber criminals’ options, and ultimately provokes further attacks.
This means that the stakes of cybersecurity are now higher than ever. So, before we drive full steam ahead into 2018, pull over to consider your security budget, and your security strategy.
In this blog, we’ll outline cybercrime & security landscape predictions. What can we expect? And how can we act?
Healthcare to become a bigger target
In 2017, the healthcare sector overtook the public sector with the amount of cybercrime incidents reported. As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes increasingly embedded in healthcare, the risk of a cyber-attack is more prevalent than ever. Data theft attacks are the most common in healthcare. In May 2017, the NHS was brought to a standstill, with patient records and booking systems under lockdown from the so called WannaCry ransomware.
These kinds of attacks on healthcare are set to be persistent throughout the course of 2018.
Why? It all starts with a phishing scam.
It only takes one employee to click one link within a spoofed email to install malware on the endpoint. Via the internet, the malwares spreads like wildfire through the network, disabling and holding ransom all connected endpoints.
Once the network has recovered from the attack, The Independent worryingly reports that,
“These phishing attacks can also develop into “advanced persistent threats” against healthcare networks. These occur when malware enters a health network and remains there unnoticed while keeping in contact with the attacker. From there it can spread throughout the network, even if the original download is detected and removed. Then it can steal data and direct network traffic to the attacker so they can see exactly what is happening in the system in real time.”
The sophistication of present day cyber-attacks is unnerving and therefore businesses should take full advantage of the protection out there today.
How you can act
Secure your business from every angle with Symantec Endpoint Protection Cloud (SEP Cloud). New this year to combat endpoint attacks, SEP Cloud is installed on the endpoint(s), but runs in the cloud. Working in real time, detecting threats and raising risky behaviour alerts on one fast action dashboard, SEP Cloud is built to defend. Securing phones, laptops and mobile devices, SMBs to large enterprises can rest assured knowing that SEP Cloud is working full time to ensure that even remote workers, who are outside the secure business network, are also protected.
Security budgets will increase
It’s safe to say that the likes of WannaCry and Petya have opened our eyes to the level of attacks we face. Taking into consideration the many reports and incidents out there, businesses are now prioritising cybersecurity as cybercrime cements itself as a top concern across the globe. According to a recent report from Gartner, information technology security spending is predicted to increase to a mind-blowing $93billion. It’s clear that the topic for concern is taken seriously combined with security company Broadcom Symantec, who develops and delivers services to combat the crime from every angle, for every business.
How you can act
The cost of cyber security is no longer a valid excuse as to why a business does not have a security budget or strategy. SEP Cloud does not incur any incremental costs.
Correct, zero.
As devices are added to one policy, you still pay the same. With SEP Cloud, you pay for the number of users and not for the number of devices added to seats, so, add up to five devices to one seat. Therefore, employees can secure both work and personal devices on their policy for no extra charge – a full threat proof security system designed to protect small to medium sized businesses.
Cybercrime is only predicted to rise
While we cannot say with absolute certainty that cybercrime will increase next year, previous statistics suggest that it will. In 2016, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that cybercrime alone accounted for a staggering 40% of all incidents reported while 1 in 10 fell victim to a cyber scam. It also indicated that the likelihood of falling victim to an attack was the same regardless of social class or whether someone lived in a deprived, affluent, urban or rural area. The findings manifest that cyber criminals do not discriminate when picking targets – we are all as vulnerable as each other, at home, or at work.
Last year, Cybersecurity Ventures predicted that cybercrime will cost the world $6 trillion annually by 2021, up from $3 trillion in 2015. If you’re afraid of an attack with a ransom payment this year, imagine what it may cost you next year…
Despite the vast amounts of information available to us detailing how to stay safe online, 30% of phishing emails are still opened. This, coupled with 85% of organisations falling victim to an attack, begs the question, how safe are we really?
With cybercrime costs predicted to increase by 100%, does this mean the other stats will, too? Are we looking at a 60% open rate on phishing emails? Will 95% of organisations fall victim to an attack by 2021? It’s a worrying thought, but one we must address.
How you can act
A lot of the time, malware is installed from one employee clicking on a dangerous link or attachment. The trouble is, how do you stop this? Actually – it’s simple.
SEP Cloud.
Protect users and their endpoints from that one email that looks legitimate by simply not allowing it through.
If you employ a BYOD policy, this is even more important. One policy will look after your business’ data on a laptop. Work from other devices? No sweat – add a tablet, phone and computer at no extra cost. One seat, one price, for up to 5 devices.
It may be fair to say that cyber-attacks aren’t coming to a halt any time soon. With this in mind, what does your strategy look like?
Do you have services in place to prevent malware entering your system?
Or, do you simply want to talk to a cloud specialist about what you currently have implemented?
Get advice on security strategies
Don’t hesitate to contact our experienced cloud specialists for further advice on cyber-security prevention best practice.