Cyber threats exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, exposing data or stealing critical assets. Attacks range from phishing to ransomware, hacking, DDoS attacks and more. While innovation and hyperconnectivity have given rise to new risks, the threat landscape remains as challenging as ever.
Cyber attackers target organizations to steal intellectual property, disrupt business and economic operations, engage in espionage, and even threaten democracy. While nations-states and their proxies remain the most serious actors, criminal groups and hackers also pose significant risk to our economy and national security.
Threats come in many forms, from phishing and malware to hacking, data manipulation, and the exploitation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Malvertising embeds malicious code into online advertising, while zero-day exploits are vulnerabilities in software that are discovered and exploited before a patch is released. DNS spoofing redirects a user to a malicious website posing as a legitimate site, while man-in-the-middle attacks relay and possibly alter communications between two parties.
While some cyberattacks, such as DDoS attacks or ransomware, directly bring down systems and networks, others may impact a company’s reputation, business performance, and customer satisfaction while requiring costly recovery efforts. Regardless of the type of breach, the best way to mitigate cyberattacks is to protect your organization with layered security measures. Multi-factor authentication, a firewall, regular system updates, and employee training on how to recognize phishing attempts are all important tools. Implementing the principle of least privilege means only giving users access to what they need and revoke access when no longer required.