Cybercrime is on the rise, and the latest 2022 cybersecurity facts and findings prove it. But this should be no surprise; it seems at every turn we’re hearing about another ransomware attack, disrupted operation or security breach. Even the Whitehouse is issuing warnings about increased cyber threats as a result of recent global events.
And, of course, there’s the COVID-19 pandemic. It only heightened the resolve of many cybercriminals who saw a new opportunity ripe with promise. Suddenly, millions of employees across the globe were thrust into a work-from-home situation, and many still remain. Most lack the robust network security found at the office, and they’re also unfamiliar with proper security protocols, opening the floodgates to nefarious hackers.
Businesses need to be more diligent than ever when it comes to cybersecurity. To better understand the precautions you can take to secure your organization’s networks, it’s important to first know what you’re up against. So we’ve compiled the top 10 facts about cybersecurity — statistics that may surprise you.
In the past, small businesses didn’t have to worry as much as larger corporations. Not so any more, according to the latest Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report. The big victims are often small businesses that lack the people and resources to mitigate the risks of a cyberattack.
There are many other startling cybersecurity industry statistics found in the latest report from the FBI. Namely, email continues to be the number one access point for cybercriminals. This stresses the importance of cybersecurity awareness training for employees.
As reported by Mimecast, 64% of those organizations paid the ransom, but four in 10 never recovered their data. Ransomware takes hold of networks and restricts access to files, often demanding payment in exchange for restoring systems, and threatening to destroy them if ransom isn’t paid.
This is according to the 2021 SMB Cyberthreat Landscape report from Acronis. When a business experiences a security breach, it doesn’t just impact its workforce. In addition to potential financial losses, there’s the high likelihood that a company will also lose their reputation and trust among customers.
As reported by Untangle’s 2021 SMB IT Security Report, this phenomenon was only worsened by the increase in remote workers due to the pandemic. Many employees aren’t familiar with using VPNs, opening the door to unauthorized network access and other risks. Since many organizations report the continuation of remote work for at least a portion of their workforces, these types of human error incidents are expected to rise.
Victims of tech support fraud unknowingly provide sensitive data to someone posing as technical or customer support/service. This statistic emphasizes the importance of vetting supply chain vendors and working with service providers you know and trust.
According to IBM’s latest Cost of Data Breach Report, the average total cost of a data breach increased by nearly 10% since last year. That’s the biggest single-year jump in the last seven years. Organizations with a more mature security posture fared better than those who lag behind. What is often immeasurable is the damage caused from a tarnished brand reputation and diminished customer loyalty.
Once again, IBM brings us this staggering statistic. Imagine the damage that hackers could inflict or how much customer personal data they could steal if given free reign over your systems? Today’s cyber criminals often fly under the radar and can lurk inside systems for months retrieving sensitive data. Arm yourself with the facts and learn how to identify the signs your computer’s been hacked.
One of the top drivers of IT spending in organizations continues to be security and risk management. These funds account for up to 15% of total IT spending, according to Accenture’s State of cybersecurity resilience 2021 report. Company leaders must be the driving force behind cybersecurity initiatives and make it a priority within their organizations.
What’s more, almost half (42%) said they have no plan at all. That's according to a small business survey conducted by CNBC last fall. A cyberattack may be the largest threat your organization faces. It’s critical for enterprises to establish a strategy for mitigating the risks and to outline a business continuity plan to address this rising threat.
When it comes to cybersecurity facts, 2022 should be a wakeup call. Want to see how your company is doing? Go through our free, online Cybersecurity Risk Assessment and answer 15 questions to see your score. Once you’ve completed the assessment, reach out to us to explore ways to close any gaps.
Even if you’re a small business with a limited budget, you can achieve enterprise-level security by working with a Technology Management provider like Elevity. We leverage the latest cybersecurity technology to monitor your systems 24/7, and have a step-by-step plan to mitigate and respond to risks. Our highly trained experts will perform a full security sweep of your network and devices to identify threats and weaknesses, and then, we’ll fix them. Simple as that.
Let us help you develop a tailored IT roadmap to secure your systems and empower you and your employees to mitigate the risks of a security breach.
