As much as we may want to tune out when we hear about cybersecurity, it is an issue that cannot be ignored. Cybercrime is a constant threat to businesses and individuals alike, and the risks are too great to simply accept and move on. While it may seem like we have already heard enough about it, the reality is that we can never be too vigilant when it comes to protecting ourselves against cyber threats.
One of the biggest risks is the so-called "day zero attack," which exploits previously unknown weaknesses in software. These attacks can be incredibly damaging, especially if the software is widely used. That's why it's crucial that we make cybersecurity a top priority and stay vigilant in our efforts to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Unfortunately, many people take a "been there, done that" approach to cybersecurity, assuming that they've already taken all the necessary steps to protect themselves.
But the truth is that new threats are constantly emerging, and unless we stay up to date and remain proactive in our approach to cybersecurity, we risk leaving ourselves open to attack.
In short, we can never hear enough about cybersecurity. It is a constant and ever-evolving threat that requires constant attention and vigilance. By staying informed and proactive, we can better protect ourselves and our businesses from the damaging effects of cybercrime.
Some may argue that this type of warning seems overly dramatic and pessimistic, but consider the following scenario: An employee receives a notification on their laptop to update a software application with crucial security upgrades to mitigate against vulnerabilities. However, due to a looming deadline, they repeatedly ignore the notification. Eventually, a malicious actor finds an open door into the system and exploits the vulnerability, all because the employee didn't prioritize cybersecurity.
Sadly, this scenario is more common than we'd like to think. While South Africa has made significant progress in catching up with the rest of the world regarding cybersecurity, there are still challenges to overcome. One such challenge is the difficulty of convincing boards to invest in a non-revenue-generating department such as cybersecurity.
While it may be tempting to downplay the importance of cybersecurity and assume that we're doing enough to protect ourselves, the reality is that the threats are constantly evolving and require our ongoing attention and vigilance. By prioritizing cybersecurity and investing in the necessary resources and infrastructure, we can better safeguard our businesses and personal information from the ever-present dangers of cybercrime.
Even if a business decides to outsource its security needs, it still requires a certain level of expertise in-house. In the past, it was common to rely on instinct and hope for the best, but now there are industry standards and best practices that have been mandated for businesses in all sectors. Adhering to these standards requires significant time, money, and resources investments. While cybersecurity is not a revenue-generating department, failure to invest in it can put the entire business at risk.
Unfortunately, this is a hard pill to swallow for many local businesses, as the costs of implementing these measures can be significant. It may also be difficult to find and retain the necessary scarce skills. A small or medium-sized business may need to hire up to five new employees, while a larger organization may need closer to 10.
Furthermore, the concept of "zero trust" has become increasingly popular in recent years. While this approach may work well for large corporations, it can be challenging to strike a balance between security and usability. The only truly zero trust environment is an analog one, where air-gapped processes are completely out of reach of cybercriminals. Once a system is connected to the internet, there is always a risk of infection, no matter how many security measures are in place.
The majority of the exploits we read about are caused by a relatively small number of vulnerabilities. A well-publicized ransomware attack, for example, could be the end result, but it would most likely have been accomplished through one of a tiny group of vulnerabilities that had not yet been patched or fixed with an update.
Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, the one certainty is that threat actors will continue to search for vulnerabilities. The criminal underworld's research and development teams are hard at work, sharing exploits and communicating broadly about the best ways to attack. This sophisticated collaboration feeds an ongoing increase in ransomware attacks.
The primary concern going forward is how we deal with an increase in sophistication, regardless of the means used by the criminal or the vulnerability they seek to exploit. While we have been fortunate so far in being able to differentiate between legitimate and scam emails, advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, could make this more difficult in the future.
To combat this, businesses and individuals need to understand their overall attack surface, including vulnerabilities in PCs, laptops, and mobile devices, as well as available VPNs and services. Once a business has a comprehensive understanding of its attack surface, it should use third parties to perform penetration tests and vulnerability scans and stay on top of its cloud security obligations.
Alongside investments like a dedicated Security team and the assistance of third-party partners, ongoing user cybercrime education and awareness strategies will remain one of the most important investments for any business. All organizations should also be moving along the continuum of a zero trust strategy, finding the balance between security and usability. Ultimately, each user is responsible for security.
