Cyberattacks Stronger, Faster and More Sophisticated

CrowdStrike’s 10th annual Global Threat Report has revealed some alarming trends.

First off, cyberattacks are becoming faster than ever. Breakout times (that’s the time it takes for a criminal to move within your network after first getting in) have dropped significantly. We’re talking an average of just 62 minutes compared to 84 minutes last year.

This is not good news.

Not only are these attacks faster, but they’re also becoming more common. The report identifies a whopping 34 new cybercriminal groups, bringing the total to over 230 groups tracked by the company.

And guess what? These cybercriminals aren’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs. They’re getting more innovative and more sophisticated. The report highlights a new record breakout time of just two minutes and seven seconds. That’s barely enough time to grab a coffee, let alone mount a defense.

But here’s the real kicker: The human factor is increasingly becoming the main entry point for these cyberattacks.

They will try to get your people to click a link in a phishing email, which will take them to a fake login page. Once your employee enters their accurate login details, they have inadvertently handed them over.

Or they pretend to be someone your team trusts. This is called social engineering.

So, how can you protect your business from these cyber threats?

Educate your employees

Make sure your team is aware of the latest cyber threats and how to spot them. Regular training sessions can go a long way in preventing costly mistakes.

Implement strong password policies

Encourage the use of complex random passwords generated and remembered by password managers. Use multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security (this is where you use a second device to confirm it’s really you logging in).

Keep your systems updated

Make sure all software and systems are up to date with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities, so staying current is key.

Invest in cybersecurity software

Consider investing in reputable cybersecurity software that can help detect and mitigate threats in real time (we can help with this).

Back up your data

Regularly back up your data and store it in a secure location. In the event of a cyberattack, having backups can help minimize downtime and data loss.

When it comes to cybersecurity, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If we can help you to stay better prepared, get in touch.

Information used in this article was provided by our partners at MSP Marketing Edge.