The 5 Scariest Information Security Trends and Risks in 2017

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No one is immune to information security risks in 2017. In the last year, there’s been a 38 percent increase in security incidents. By 2019, experts estimate that hackers will cause $2 trillion in damage to businesses each year, which represents a four-fold increase over 2015.

Security incidents aren’t just embarrassing–they can cost millions of dollars in legal and compliance fees. Modern organizations can’t afford to make security an afterthought. It’s officially time to arm yourself with talented security specialists and stand prepared. Read on to learn five of the biggest reasons 2017 will be the scariest year in security so far and how you can mitigate the risks.

1. Ransomware

If one of your employees clicks on the wrong link, it could cost your company thousands of dollars or more. Ransomware is a highly automated form of cybercrime, and it typically involves the “locking” of your company data with strong encryption until you meet the criminal’s demand to fork over thousands of dollars.

Reports indicate that criminals are getting increasingly “vengeful,” and the average ransomware attack costs $2,500. As many as 61 percent of businesses were affected in the last year. If your organization doesn’t prioritize data backups or security preparedness, it could force the tough decision of whether or not to pay up.

2. DDoS Attacks

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks are made possible by targeting internet devices like printers and routers. These devices are recruited and used to send a flood of demands to web services, which can cause websites to crash. A DDoS incident was the reason Netflix, Amazon, Reddit and other popular web services went down for hours in late October of 2016.

DDoS attacks are on the rise and may comprise most of all security incidents. A seasoned security pro can protect you from DDoS attacks and downtime by monitoring your traffic, making smart hosting decisions and analyzing your network.

3. Cybercrime Marketplaces

For unethical tech geniuses, helping others hack can be a well-paying, rewarding career. There’s been a proliferation of cybercrime marketplaces on the Darknet in recent years, making it easy to purchase “DIY ransomware” and other pre-written malware. Getting started is no longer difficult or expensive. The issue is so significant that the FBI has even issued an official statement regarding the matter.

Organizations should expect an increase in the volume of attacks targeted at them. While the new batch of hackers might not be able to write their own scripts, they have access to everything they need online.

4. Human Error

Employee mistakes are expensive. In fact, worker mistakes are behind a large percentage of security incidents that result in enormous consequences. Some common forms of human error include falling prey to a phishing attack, leaving sensitive data on a laptop in an unlocked car, and physically writing down passwords.

Your employees need to be aware of how to behave securely. More importantly, they need behavioral-based training to learn how to identify security risks in real-life scenarios.

5. The Security Talent Shortage

Organizations worldwide believe they need more security talent. Furthermore, companies are desperate for security pros with highly technical and soft skill sets– those who can assist with protecting companies against attacks and serve as security evangelists.

The right IT staff can help your organization raise awareness, improve its technical safeguards and stand prepared for DDoS, Ransomware and a host of other threats. By using an IT staffing agency to source seasoned specialists, you can significantly reduce the risks to your business.

Conclusion

By all accounts, 2017 is set to be the riskiest year yet for cybercrime against businesses. Understanding crime trends and improving both knowledge and technical protection at your firm can lower the risk of falling prey to a hacker. If your security talent is lacking, hiring experienced security pros is likely your next best move.

 

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