Concern about digital security has become a priority for companies in all sectors, mainly due to the growing number of cyber attacks. For this reason, we have prepared this article to deal with digital security in the first quarter of 2024 and all factors that can impact your organization and the data that is stored by it.
First, it is essential to understand the role of digital security within your business. The advancement of digital transformation has placed cybersecurity as a priority within organizations , as a way to combat the numerous cyber scams and threats that gain more and more space.
Companies depend almost entirely on technological tools, and most business is done with the help of the internet . In this sense, it was necessary to adopt resources that help protect the information and maintain the applications used in the safest daily life.
Panorama Digital Security in the Country
The emergence of the General Data Protection Law has shown several failures that companies commit regarding the protection of third party information that is stored and collected by it, making it necessary to adopt adaptation measures to ensure the protection of this information . However, only adequacy to LGPD is not enough, and it is the company's responsibility to adopt a proactive and preventive posture for cyber threats.
Digital security refers to a set of strategies, techniques and methods aimed at protecting the devices, networks and technological resources used by companies. The main objective is to prevent the action of cybercriminals and keep the information stored protected against unauthorized accesses .
For this reason, investing in cybersecurity is no longer just a protocol to becoming essential within organizations, allowing companies to guarantee the competitive space in the market and stand out before competitors . There is an expectation of digital security from consumers, and companies need to prepare to meet this demand.
Ensure digital security within a company currently takes into account five fundamental aspects, being:
- Access monitoring;
- Security direction;
- Data encryption;
- Backup strategy;
- Software Update.
Based on a solid strategy, companies increase protection and prevent most cyber attacks , which cause major damage today. In this sense, companies are increasingly worrying about protecting their information.
However, it is still worrying how cyber attacks have prominent growth in recent years . It is essential to seek strategies and tools that assist organizations in protecting the action of cybercriminals .
Digital Security in the 1st quarter of 2024
It is worrying the growth that cyber attacks have been presenting over the past few years. A recent report from the company Checkpoint Research showed that Brazil presented a growth of 38% compared to the same period of 2023, highlighting the great demand for technological resources that help keep companies more protected.
This report conducted intense research in the digital security sector for the first three months of 2024, demonstrating that there were 2,202 attacks weekly. In amount of attacks, Brazil occupied third position on the list of countries with the highest incidence of cyber attacks , just behind Colombia who suffered 2,484 attacks and Mexico with 2,296.
Data like this demonstrate how Brazil is in an unfavorable position in relation to other countries that invest in cybersecurity . The advancement of technology with the growth of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence also plays a key role in this process, creating points of vulnerability that are explored by cybercriminals increasingly.
Main 2024 cyber attacks
This substantial increase in the amount of cyber attacks in the first quarter of 2024 is reflected in the latest news about digital security. Here are three cyber threats that have had great impact on the market:
Apple
At the beginning of April, Apple notified its users about the risk of a highly sophisticated cyber attack . With the risk of your personal data being viewed by spyware, the technology giant has notified its users in 92 countries about the imminent risk of exposure.
Muddling Meerkat - China
According to infoblox data , in recent days the action of a cybercriminal in China has been discovered unduely monitors by sending a large number of DNS consultations through open DNS resolvers. However, because it is a very recent discovery, it has not yet been possible to determine the real objective of the cybercriminal.
Federal police invasion
On April 17, there was an alleged invasion of the Federal Police systems , which forced the exchange of passwords of the servers and caused the suspension of the appointment service for passport issuance. This invasion has had a great impact on the agency's services, which has been working to restore normality.
Sectors that suffered the most cyber attacks in 2024
As we know, cyber attacks do not have a specific focus on a particular sector, but may have a growth in the face of specific vulnerabilities or specific data needs . An example of this is that in the first quarter of 2024 there was a significant increase in some specific sectors.
According to the survey conducted by Check Point Research , there was an 28% increase in the average number of cyber attacks by organization worldwide, with a 37% growth in attacks aimed at suppliers and hardware manufacturers.
Due to the current sociopolitical reality and the large amount of information stored, the government and health and health sectors remain the main targets of cyber attacks. The same applies to the education and research sector.
The education and research sector suffered an average of 2,454 attacks per week, leading the most cybercriminous sectors, followed by the Government sector and the Armed Forces, with 1,692 weekly attacks.
However, the major concern is, in reality, in the significant increase in cyber attacks directed to the hardware supplier sector, mainly because of technological advancement and the implementation of new technologies in the market.
However, the major concern lies in the significant increase in cyber attacks directed at the hardware supplier sector , mainly due to technological advancement and the implementation of new technologies in the market.
According to a Trend Micro report , malware campaigns from 2019 to 2023 were focused on industrial, government, health, education and the banking system, ensuring a significant impact on the market.
Although recent years have shown a considerable drop in ransomware attacks ( from 1 billion records in 2016 to 14 million in 2023 ), this threat is still a cause for great concern. This fall shows that the attacks have become more sophisticated and directed.
The survey also revealed a 28% increase in cyber attacks worldwide , while at national level this increase was 38%. Check out the 3 sectors that suffered the most cyber threats, according to data from Check Point Research :
- Education/Research: 2,454 attacks by organization per week,
- Government/Armed Forces: 1,692 attacks by organization per week;
- Health: 1,605 attacks by organization per week.
The situation is worrying and requires immediate attention from organizations. The study reveals that one in 44 companies worldwide suffers at least one ransomware attack per week.
The 2022 Official Cybercime Report Report , conducted by CyberSecurity Ventures, points out that cyber attacks worldwide can cost up to $ 10.5 trillion annually by 2025. This information shows the importance of digital security for organizations.
Ransomware attacks continue to grow by 2024
Ransomware attacks are still a major concern in the market. This approach, which kidnaps information and requires the payment of a rescue for its return, has made victims in companies of various segments, causing substantial losses.
In the first quarter of 2024, North America concentrated 59% of published attacks, while Europe showed a 64% growth in the amount of attacks performed . Of these attacks, approximately 4% focused on Latin America, mainly directed to the communications industry (with an increase of 177%).
Digital security should be a priority, considering the national average of 1,155 weekly attacks per organization and the average of 2,200 attacks in Brazil. Given this, it is important to adopt urgent measures to protect information and ensure a safe digital environment so that companies can perform their tasks and store their data safely.
The main threats of cyber attacks in 2024
As we could observe in this material, the growth of cyber attacks is a great concern. Given the substantial increase observed in the first quarter of 2024, it is essential that companies adopt solutions and resources to remain protected.
In this sense, we need to first understand what are the main approaches that can damage the applications , networks, and devices of a business. The whole strategy to ensure greater data security within a company refers not only to the tools used and the knowledge presented by employees, but also to a careful observation of the market and the actions that are implemented by cybercriminals.
See below what are the main threats of cyber attacks in 2024:
Malicious use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence, constantly evolving, is one of the most commented technologies of recent years. Despite bringing unpublished facilities and resources, it can also be used maliciously by cybercriminals .
In addition to brute force attacks , where various password combinations are tested to access networks and devices, it is necessary to worry about threats that mimic human behavior . That is, cybercriminals use technology to imitate faces, produce photos and videos, inducing users to trust their content and attempts to access.
New forms of more targeted and harmful ransomware attacks
The ransomware attack is already quite harmful, but cybercriminals are becoming more selective in choosing the victims. Currently, they seek more profitable or more likely to pay the ransom.
This means that cybercriminals thoroughly examine the organization before attacking, possibly using other strategies to collect confidential data such as phishing . Therefore, it is essential to protect yourself against all forms of threats that may harm your business.
Worldwide adoption of automated transfer systems (ATS)
World adherence to A2A transfer systems is favoring the action of cybercriminals, who perform mass financial transactions. With the help of bank malware that allows improper transactions, cybercriminals access bank applications easily .
Although only a few Brazilian malware use Mobile ATS, it is likely to gain visibility due to the high financial returns it may provide.
Open source backdoor packages
Open source backdoor packages refer to open source software that are transformed to include a backdoor, ie a secret access door. This access port is used by cybercriminals to obtain a company's network or system control, allowing access without risk of detection .
Through this strategy, cybercriminals can collect confidential information, perform malware, contaminate devices and perform all their malicious activities without the company noticing . This is one of the main threats for 2024, and it is extremely important to adopt the access monitoring tool that helps identify these malicious behaviors.
Digital security is a constant battlefield
Considering that there are threats that become each day to reach your victims increasingly intelligently, your company's cyber security strategy should also evolve . It is crucial to be aware of the main modifications of the market and find ways to update your business protection strategy to avoid these problems.
We need to face increasingly sophisticated threats and smart resources that can act without being detected. Therefore, a proactive and preventive approach is crucial to the strategy of protecting your organization.
It is essential that your company's technology managers and guardians understand the extreme need to adopt smarter and sophisticated funds to protect information and keep cybercriminals away from confidential data. In this sense, complete research on the tools available on the market is essential.
How to protect your company from cyber attacks in 2024?
First, it is necessary to go through a process of awareness and change in the company's culture. It is the responsibility of all involved to adopt a preventive approach to digital behavior to avoid problems that can be caused by the vulnerabilities present in the virtual environment. In this sense, we can mention the updating of the resources and tools used by the organization, ensuring that they are prepared to deal with the latest threats and always remain protected .
The implementation of an Internet access policy can also make all the difference to improve employees' behavior in the virtual environment. Internet access control tool that helps monitor not only users' behavior but also to avoid indiscriminate access to unnecessary resources.
For this you can count on complete tools to help your business stay more protected. This tool should be compatible with your business needs and rely on all the resources to provide a complete and effective approach against the action of cybercriminals .
For companies that seek to ensure more security in their digital space and keep their data away from cybercriminals access, internet access control may be the solution. With the help of this tool, you can more efficiently monitor the accesses that are made by users and also block access to content considered harmful, acting preventively.
