October isn’t just about ghosts and goblins lurking in the shadows — digital threats like phishers, hackers, and cybercriminals also are on the prowl, waiting for the chance to infiltrate your online world.
But don’t worry — October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the ideal time to spotlight those hidden dangers and equip yourself to fend off cyberattacks. Whether you’re at home, school, or work, the choices you make can safeguard your digital presence or leave you exposed. Let’s get smart about cybersecurity and keep those digital goblins at bay!
Cybersecurity by the Numbers
Is cybersecurity only on your mind during mandatory work training or when a major breach makes the headlines? Protecting your data should be a daily habit, not an occasional afterthought.
Behind these digital goblins are real threats, and the numbers show just how serious the situation is:
- The cost of cybercrime is astronomical and could have serious repercussions on your workplace. By 2025, it’s predicted cybercrime costs will hit $10.5 trillion. And the time it takes for security teams to identify and contain a breach goes up every year, now averaging 37 weeks (258 days).
- When was the last time you double-checked the sender’s email before clicking a link? If you haven’t fallen for a phishing scam, count yourself lucky. Phishing attacks skyrocketed by a staggering 1,265% in 2023, fueled by the rise of generative AI.
- Multi-tasking seems to make you an easy target for phishing! Half of the people who got caught by a phishing email admitted they were distracted or tired when they took the bait.
- With each passing year, businesses are realizing how serious they need to take cybersecurity. The first business to name a CISO (chief information security officer) was in 1994; by 2022, 100% of the Fortune 500 had a CISO or equivalent. By the end of this year, Gartner predicts 75% of CEOs will be personally liable for cyber-physical security incidents.
- Ransomware also is on a rapid rise. In 2021, it was estimated that a business suffered a ransomware attack every 11 seconds. By 2031, it’s forecasted a consumer or business will be attacked every two seconds.
- Online dating can break more than just your heart — if you’re not careful, it could break your bank. In 2023, romance scams raked in a staggering $1.14 billion, with the average victim losing $2,000 — making it the costliest imposter scam out there.
- Did you recently get a text saying you had overdue toll charges? You’re not alone. The Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert saying that this type of message is most likely a scam, especially if it encourages you to quickly pay your overage to avoid a late fee penalty.
- As the lead federal agency investigating cyberattacks and intrusions, the FBI created the Cyber’s Most Wanted List which contains more than 100 people whose crimes include computer intrusion, wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and theft of trade secrets. In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 880,418 complaints from Americans.
- Hacking might feel like a product of the digital age, but it’s been part of our world for much longer. The term “hack” as we know it today was first coined by MIT back in 1955, and by 1963, “computer hacking” had already made its debut in MIT’s The Tech. And the first computer virus, Creeper, was named after a Scooby-Doo cartoon show character.
- If you don’t need to be reminded to be cyber secure and you’re looking for a new career path, consider cybersecurity. The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to outstrip supply as nearly 4 million positions went unfilled globally last year. And even though more than 440,000 workers in the past year, the cybersecurity workforce gap grew by 12.6% in 2023.
Make Cybersecurity a Daily Priority
While Cybersecurity Awareness Month is in the spotlight every October, each person needs to be aware of potential cyberattacks and risks every month. Help secure our world by following these four easy ways to stay safe online recommended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA):
- Enable multifactor authentication on all devices
- Use strong passwords that you never share
- Recognize and report phishing
- Keep your software up to date
Get Ready for SOC-toberfest
At Fortra’s Alert Logic, we’re not only spreading the word for Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, but also celebrating SOC-toberfest. Just as Oktoberfest brings together friends to raise a glass, our virtual “SOC-toberfest” will gather security-minded folks at Fortra to celebrate the good work being done in security ops and provide insights to strength security. Join our event on October 16.
