Safer Internet Day Wake-Up Call: Is Your Business Equipped to Outsmart Cybercriminals?

Did you know there's a cyber attack every 39 seconds? 

That's less time than it takes for most of us to check our email or grab a coffee. This is not a fun fact for organizations—it's a reality check. With businesses big and small on the radar of cybercriminals, it's clear that no one is immune. 

By 2025, the cost of cybercrime is expected to hit $10.5 trillion annually, jumping from $3 trillion in 2015. These numbers represent real challenges for businesses around the globe. It's a reminder that the digital world's dangers are very much a part of our reality, affecting the trust and safety of our customers and employees.

In this context, Safer Internet Day attempts to unite the global community and create a safer digital environment. More than just a date on the calendar, it's a wake-up call for organizations to take a hard look at their cybersecurity posture. This day isn't only about protecting systems and data but fostering a culture of awareness and resilience that stands up to online threats.

This day offers a platform to highlight the importance of everyone's role in maintaining digital safety. It's a chance to break down the complexities of cybersecurity into actionable, understandable steps that can empower the entire organization. From simple password hygiene to sophisticated security protocols, Safer Internet Day is an occasion to reinforce that every action counts in the fight against cyber threats.

The Most Common Internet Threats 

This year, Safer Internet Day falls on the 6th of February, 2024, with the theme Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence, and navigating change online. As you try to make yourself and your organization resilient to cyberattacks, it’s important to identify the types of internet threats surrounding us.

1. Phishing

Phishing is the most prevalent form of cybercrime, with an astonishing 3.4 billion spam emails sent daily. These deceptive emails are designed to steal sensitive information or deliver malware.

2. Malware

Malware continues to be a pervasive threat, with 4 companies falling victim to ransomware every minute. The existence of over 1 billion malware programs highlights this threat's scale and diversity.

3. Social Engineering Attacks

Social engineering, a tactic that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking techniques, accounts for 98% of cyber-attacks, emphasizing the critical need for awareness and vigilance.

4. Man-in-the-middle (MITM)

MITM attacks, where hackers intercept and alter the communication between two parties, exploit unsecured or poorly secured networks, often without either party realizing it until it's too late.

5. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) 

DDoS attacks overwhelm systems, networks, or websites with traffic to render them inoperable, disrupting services and potentially leading to further breaches.

6. SQL Injection 

SQL injection attacks target databases using malicious code to manipulate database queries. These attacks can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system controls.

7. Password Attack 

With 3 in 10 users experiencing data breaches due to weak passwords, password attacks remain a significant vulnerability, highlighting the importance of strong, unique passwords.

8. IoT-Based Attacks 

As the IoT landscape expands, with 75% of all devices expected to be IoT by 2030, the surface for potential attacks widens, necessitating robust security measures to protect interconnected devices.

Understanding these threats is the first step towards developing effective strategies to protect yourself and your organization from cyberattacks. Safer Internet Day reminds us to enhance our cybersecurity defenses and promote safer online practices.

Best Practices to Make Every Day a Safer Internet Day

Organizations and individuals must adopt comprehensive strategies to prevent these attacks and use the internet safely. Here are the important measures that you can implement to bolster your cybersecurity:

1. Be Mindful While Multitasking

When checking emails, give them your full attention. Multitasking can lead to a lapse in judgment, making it easier to fall for phishing scams, such as clicking on malicious links or opening fraudulent attachments. A moment of distraction can compromise your organization's security.

2. Exercise Caution with Foreign Emails 

Be wary of opening emails in languages you're not fluent in, or from brands you don't recognize. Scammers can use these tactics to bypass your usual vigilance. If an email seems out of context or irrelevant, verifying its authenticity is safer before interacting with it.

3. Verify the Authenticity of Authority Figures

Hackers often impersonate authority figures, such as managers or company representatives, to exploit our trust. Always verify the authenticity of requests for sensitive information, even if they appear to come from within your organization. A quick phone call or message can confirm whether the request is legitimate.

4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

44% of internet users rarely reset their passwords. Implement strong, unique passwords for different accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, and avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common words. Consider using a reputable password manager to keep track of your passwords securely.

5. Keep Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Safe

Be cautious about where and how you share personally identifiable information (PII). Whether it's your information or that of customers, ensure it's only shared over secure channels and with individuals or entities with a legitimate need. Regularly review and minimize the amount of PII stored on accessible networks.

6. Implement Strong Access Controls

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to access a resource, making it harder for attackers to breach accounts.

96% of organizations feel they could have prevented a breach if they had focused on the proper security measures, yet 65% still need to implement basic identity security measures like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Single-Sign-On (SSO).

Limiting user access rights to only the information and resources necessary for their job role can minimize the potential damage from insider threats or compromised accounts.

7. Maintain Up-to-Date Systems

Keeping all software and systems updated ensures that known vulnerabilities are patched, reducing the risk of zero-day exploits. Regularly scanning for and addressing vulnerabilities in the organization's network can preemptively block attackers' attempts to exploit weaknesses.

8. Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans

Keeping regular backups of critical data, ideally in multiple locations (including offsite), ensures an organization can recover from a ransomware attack without paying the ransom. A well-documented and regularly tested disaster recovery plan helps organizations quickly restore operations after an attack.

9. Regular Security Assessments

Regularly testing the organization's defenses with ethical hacking techniques can identify weaknesses before attackers exploit them. Conducting audits of the organization's security policies and procedures ensures they are effective and up to date.

10. Educate and Train Employees

Regular training sessions on recognizing phishing attempts, safe internet practices, and the importance of strong password policies can significantly reduce the risk of successful attacks. Conducting simulated phishing and social engineering attacks can help employees understand the tactics used by cybercriminals, making them more vigilant.

Build a Culture of Cybersecurity with CybeReady

Unfortunately, humans are the weakest link in even the most comprehensive and fortified cybersecurity strategies. 90% of cybersecurity breaches are identity-related, and hackers often target employees via social engineering strategies to get their hands on identities. 

Cyber awareness training, like phishing simulations, helps your employees understand the basics and complexities of cybersecurity and supports them in implementing a broader IAM policy. Cybersecurity best practices are only as effective as their implementation. Without buy-in and action from your employees, you can’t guarantee a culture of security.

Employing the latest AI, ML, and IAM tools is only part of the solution. Cybersecurity awareness is an all-hands-on-deck job. Everyone in an organization must contribute to building a culture of identity security, which is critical for understanding it and meeting compliance and insurance regulations.

If you’re ready to help your business fortify its identity security strategy and protect against data breaches, contact CybeReady for easy-to-deploy, proven effective, and highly engaging employee cybersecurity awareness training.