In the current era of digitalization, cybercrime has elevated to unprecedented levels. In recent times, the world has witnessed a surge in malicious activity across the globe as hackers implement highly advanced tactics and technologies to penetrate organizations and access their valuable data. The hazards imposed by such global cyber-attacks are increasingly becoming apparent each day with companies reporting billions of dollars in losses caused by stolen information and other damages. Here's an in-depth insight into why global cyber-attacks have become more prevalent and the steps organizations can adopt to prevent them.
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As per the research report by Check Point, cyber attacks have increased by 38% in 2022 when compared to 2021. These harmful incidents were primarily orchestrated by smaller and more agile hacking organizations that leveraged remote working environments necessitated by Covid-19 safety measures. Additionally, the healthcare industry suffered a significant blow, experiencing a massive uptick compared to all other sectors affected that year.
The global number of cyber attacks hit a new high in the fourth quarter of 2022, with an average of 1168 attacks per organization per week. Africa recorded the most attacks, with 1875 per organization per week, followed by Asia Pacific with 1691 attacks.
The number of cyberattacks in North America increased by 52%, in Latin America by 29%, and in Europe by 26% from 2021 to 2022. In the USA, the number of cyberattacks increased by 57%, whereas the UK and Singapore witnessed an increase of 77% and 26% respectively.
The primary factors behind the rising number of cyber attacks are the emergence of remote work and the rapid digital transformation of several organizations, which cybercriminals quickly recognized and exploited. Ransomware has become more complex, with criminal groups forming smaller units to evade law enforcement. Additionally, attackers are now targeting collaboration tools like Slack, Teams, OneDrive, and Google Drive through phishing scams, increasing their scope. Finally, within the academic industry, institutions that switched to digital modes of learning recently have experienced more significant threats, leading to a rise in cyber incidents across all sectors.
The healthcare industry in the US witnessed an 86% increase in cyberattacks, second only to the overall number of recorded attacks across all sectors. Hospitals and other medical facilities endured an average of 1410 weekly strikes due to the wealth of valuable data held within. The healthcare sector is considered a prime target for cybercriminals aiming not only for financial gain but also for notoriety among their peers.
In 61% of investigated incidents, the exploitation of vulnerabilities of publicly available applications was the most common technique utilized to gain initial access to corporate networks, followed by phishing at 22% and compromise of remote access services at 17%. The previous year, the main vector of attacks for most ransomware gangs were public RDP servers (52%), followed by phishing at 29%, with the exploitation of public applications coming in at a distant third (17%).
It's worth noting that the technique of exploiting publicly available applications was used not only by operators of cryptographers attempting to extort a ransom but also by hаcktivists trying to destroy the IT infrastructure of the target organization. However, the ongoing threat of phishing persists and shouldn't be disregarded yet. One group, OldGremlin, has adopted targeted, well-designed mailing lists "tailored" for the victim company to attack large Russian businesses.
Compromising remote access services was another approach employed to gain initial access to companies' IT infrastructures, infiltrating through publicly available terminal servers or VPN services. Attackers can utilize the bruteforce method, i.e., brute-forcing passwords, or stolen data obtained through infostilers (a form of malware created to steal data such as online wallets, logins, passwords) or purchased from initial access brokers.
The Check Point report also provides insights into the types of cyberattacks that have seen an increase in 2022. It identifies ransomware attacks as one of the most prevalent and damaging forms of cyber threats. Ransomware attacks involve encrypting the victim's files and demanding a ransom payment in exchange for decrypting them. These attacks have targeted organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, and have caused significant financial losses and operational disruptions.
Another growing trend is supply chain attacks, where attackers compromise a trusted vendor or service provider to gain access to their customers' networks. This method allows the attacker to infiltrate multiple organizations simultaneously, leading to widespread impact and data breaches.
Furthermore, phishing attacks remain a common and successful approach used by cybercriminals. These attacks involve tricking individuals or organizations into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity through email, text messages, or phone calls.
To combat these increasing cyber threats, organizations need to prioritize cybersecurity and implement a multi-layered defense strategy. It includes regularly patching and updating systems, educating employees about potential risks, implementing strong access controls, and investing in robust cybersecurity solutions like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and advanced threat intelligence. Additionally, organizations should have incident response plans in place to quickly respond and mitigate the impact of a cyberattack.
Individuals should also maintain good cybersecurity practices, such as using strong and unique passwords, being cautious of suspicious links or attachments in messages, and keeping software and devices up to date with the latest security patches.
According to the Check Point report, there are several factors contributing to the increase in cyberattacks globally in 2022. One of the main reasons is the rapid digital transformation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The widespread adoption of remote work and increased reliance on digital infrastructure has provided more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
Additionally, the sophistication and capabilities of cyber attackers have also increased. They are constantly evolving their techniques, leveraging advanced tools and tactics to bypass traditional security measures. This includes using sophisticated malware, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, and employing social engineering techniques to deceive individuals and gain unauthorized access to systems.
Another contributing factor is the increased monetization of cybercrime. Cybercriminals are motivated by financial gain and have found various ways to exploit organizations and individuals for profit. Ransomware attacks, for example, have become a lucrative business model for cybercriminals as they can extort large sums of money from victims by encrypting their data and demanding payment for its release.
Lastly, the interconnectedness and globalization of the digital world have made it easier for cybercriminals to launch attacks across borders. They can operate from anywhere in the world, targeting organizations and individuals on a global scale, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to track and prosecute them.
To address the rising cyber threat landscape, it is crucial for governments, businesses, and individuals to collaborate and take proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity defenses. This includes investing in robust security solutions, conducting regular security assessments, promoting cybersecurity awareness and education, and strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors to share threat intelligence and best practices.
One notable trend is the increase in attacks targeting cloud infrastructure and services. As more organizations transition their operations to the cloud, cybercriminals are increasingly focusing on exploiting vulnerabilities in cloud environments. These attacks can lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The report also highlights the rise in application-level attacks, such as those targeting web applications and APIs. Attackers are taking advantage of insecure code, misconfigurations, and other vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access or steal sensitive data.
Furthermore, the use of botnets for launching large-scale attacks has seen an uptick. Botnets are networks of compromised devices that can be remotely controlled by attackers to carry out coordinated attacks, such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks or spreading malware.
The report also emphasizes the importance of timely patching and updating systems to address vulnerabilities. It highlights that many successful cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities for which patches or fixes have already been released. Therefore, maintaining up-to-date software and implementing a proactive patch management strategy is crucial in preventing these types of attacks.
Finally, the report notes that cybercriminals continue to target human vulnerabilities through social engineering techniques, such as phishing. These attacks often rely on tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information or downloading malicious files. Cybersecurity awareness training and education are essential in equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to identify and mitigate these types of attacks.
Remote work and digital shifts handed black hats a buffet, and you're still running vanilla configs with zero 2FA? That's a straight-up L. Ransomware gangs are out here owning your systems while you're too cheap for a decent SIEM (security info and event management). Stop being such n00bs and hire some real pros to red-team your setup before you're the next headline.