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digital trust

Customers’ trust in tech is changing. What should business do?

  • min read
    • Of course, businesses need customer trust, but understanding what trust means in a digital world is becoming more important. Digital trust is users' confidence that tech, people and processes they engage with are secure and private. Recent research suggests how customers decide where to place their digital trust is changing, so some businesses are changing their approach. As Minter Dial wrote before in Secure Futures, the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer report shows eroding trust in institutions while remarkably, our trust in business remains. Now, there's an opportunity for business to use integrity, empathy, and privacy and ethics around new tech like artificial intelligence (AI) and customer relationships management (CRM,) to lead the way. Kaspersky's new podcast, Insight Story, unpacks emerging tech trends with global specialists and businesses successfully using new tech. In Episode 4, I discuss what digital trust means and how organizations can grow it with Müge Fazlioglu (US,) Principal Researcher, International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Malek Ben Salem (US,) emerging tech security expert and Fabio Assolini, Head of Research in Latin America for Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team. Unpacking digital trust Digital trust covers much ground, Malek Ben Salem says. "It's about data integrity, technology, people and processes. It's our confidence that our privacy is protected and secured, the reliability of digital transactions and how sure we are of the identities of those we engage with. It's also about how much we trust the information we get as users." Müge Fazlioglu says trust is notoriously hard to pin down. "Our trust when we may or may not share data depends on many things, like our perception of the party we're sharing with, our data's value to them and us. We also weigh the data's sensitivity – what might happen if it were revealed." Trust can make or break a purchase IAPP's March 2023 Privacy and Consumer Trust Report shows privacy concerns influence consumer purchasing decisions. Müge says, "Many people take steps to protect their privacy, like deleting an app or withholding some personal information." So paying more attention to trust could pay dividends. "Organizations gain credibility by taking steps to enhance privacy and data protection. We're now seeing some big brands featuring privacy-related messaging in their advertising and marketing of web browsers and smart home devices," recounts Müge. Trust concerns also make brands hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. Amazon's recent purchase of robot vacuum cleaner brand iRobot triggered privacy objections from consumer and civil rights groups, then an EU investigation. How companies help (and harm) trust Tech research consultancy McKinsey's 2022 Digital Trust report said while 70 percent of people trust companies to protect their privacy, most companies aren't living up to the expectation. So what should companies do? Müge says much best practice is around transparency. "Few consumers have a good grasp of how companies use their information – what they collect, and if they follow good practice. So companies need to ensure they write a simple, clear privacy policy and have an easy-to-use page for people to manage their privacy settings." Regulators also think easy-to-adjust privacy settings matter. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently fined the company that makes the game Fortnite for its hard-to-use privacy settings. Müge thinks regulators, businesses and consumers can all play a role in improving communication around privacy. "How a company communicates its data practices affects trust – the duty should not be on customers to make daily decisions based on lengthy and complicated legal agreements. Regulators have an important role in raising awareness and providing education. Some, like the FTC and European Union data protection authorities, are starting to do that." Müge also recommends being prepared for how you'll handle a data leak. "Responding slowly means more consumer loyalty lost. Have an incident response plan for the inevitable." Data leaks are common but often have a big impact on business. Kaspersky's 2022 IT Security Economics report found that among 3,230 businesses surveyed, data leaks were the most commonly encountered security issue, with 55 percent considering them the most challenging incidents. Malek points to one business leading in digital trust. "Apple stands out in how it uses privacy-preserving technology to train artificial intelligence (AI) on mobile phones. Devices keep data locally and use it to train user speech-recognition and auto-complete models. Then the models are used to update a central model that can be applied to many users. So the data is not shared or uploaded, but still used to improve the AI." Using cybersecurity to build trust 29 percent of businesses with 500 to 999 employees have experienced a cybersecurity incident, according to Kaspersky's 2022 Small-to-Medium Business Cyber Resilience report.  As your business scales into a larger enterprise, so does the likelihood of a cyberattack or data leak. Malek thinks investing in cybersecurity is vital to protect customer trust. "To build secure infrastructure and allow for secure transactions, you need a cybersecurity strategy and proper governance, and you must hire the right talent. More importantly, be transparent." Or, as Müge says, "Shine a bright light on what you're doing." New technologies are evolving cybersecurity's contribution to digital trust. Malek sees many applications of AI in security tech: "It helps identify who is accessing a system by profiling user behavior. It can detect and respond to security incidents. It can classify unstructured data like business documents, so we don't need people to read them to know what's sensitive or confidential." A relatively new approach to security, zero trust, is influencing what we'll see next. "People will own their full identity and use pieces as needed. For instance, if I want to buy something that requires proof of age, I can share just my age without information the seller doesn't need, like full birth date. Zero-trust principles mean allowing access only to the information needed." But Kaspersky's Fabio Assolini says businesses may not be able to adopt these good practices overnight. "Many networks need adapting for zero-trust principles. It's a challenge for administrators, but it's important they understand how it works and prepare corporate networks for it." He also highlights the value of transparency, not just between businesses and customers, but between businesses and suppliers. "You must be able to trust your cybersecurity providers, especially as we're seeing many targeted attacks that abuse cybersecurity software or infrastructure. Security vendors could be more transparent about their technologies. At Kaspersky, we let customers review our code at transparency centers. We'd like to see other companies doing that." He adds, "Training is also important. Sometimes cybercriminals send a phishing attack to just one employee, so it matters that each employee is trained in identifying attack attempts." Asked for one key recommendation for business in building digital trust, Malek says, consider cybersecurity part of your environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework because "it elevates the discussion." Müge says, "Keep in mind all the smart technology you use. It uses many different kinds of information. Use the privacy features and regularly monitor data sharing." Listen to the full Insight Story audio series on Podbean or your usual podcast provider.
future cybersecurity jobs

7 new roles we’ll soon see keeping business secure

  • min read
    • Technology penetrates every sphere of our lives, and more devices mean more cybersecurity challenges. How we protect systems is evolving with technology and threats: Routine work like monitoring and response is being automated. But cybersecurity isn't getting less complex – businesses will soon need new, more creative, more diverse roles. While they may seem futuristic, some already exist in one form or another. Given long-term trends, leaders should start planning to recruit for these new roles, coming soon. 1.  AI mentor The rise of AI-based technologies like ChatGPT and voice assistants like Siri and Alexa made new tech more accessible while bringing new concerns around privacy and security. AI's control, regulation and monitoring requirements go beyond product management and development expertise. William Gibson's 1984 science fiction book Neuromancer imagined we'd one day have 'Turing Police' to control AI and AI-based systems, stopping them evolving and becoming independent. Turing refers to famed UK mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing's test to distinguish humans from machines. A need for firm limits on AI is little disputed among experts, with a range of tech leaders, including Elon Musk, signing a open letter asking for a pause in AI development in March 2023. AI Mentors will assess and control AI technology. They may also teach AIs, control access to data and constrain evolution – you might call it, being AI's parent. As AI's complexity and sophistication grows, there will be growing demand for such experts. AI mentors could also develop 'stop' buttons to prevent systems operating on their own. They may also develop protection against malfunction and alternative rescue plans if computers are out of service. 2.  Digital footprint consultant Leaks and breaches negatively affect any brand. Cybercriminals often use threats of reputational damage to extort money from companies once inside systems. A digital footprint consultant will work to protect your brand. However, there's no need to wait for a digital footprint consultant to come on board before you develop strategies to restore your brand reputation after a data leak. 3.  Cyber immunity developer Cybersecurity will change as businesses are forced to rethink how they develop new tech. Embedding cybersecurity principles from the start makes cyber immunity possible – systems so secure that the cost of hacking them isn't worth the reward. Demand for cyber-immune products will see employees scrambling to hire designers and developers with security-first skills. 4.  Threat endurance manager 2022 was a costly year for cyberattacks, with high-profile big tech names like Twitter, Uber and Rockstar Games all hit. Cybercriminals don't shy away from attacking public services and life-saving institutions either, with several universities, the UK's National Health Service and the Red Cross among those attacked. Cyberattacks interrupt production and business processes, pose reputational risks and lead to big financial losses. Health insurance giant Medibank reported a ransomware attack cost them 26 million US dollars. They'll be responsible for business continuity and protect companies by controlling IT systems, responding to cyberattacks and managing software and human errors. 5.  Cyber investigator Cyber investigators already exist, but their work will become more complex and diverse as digital systems get more sophisticated and automated. These specialists normally manage the aftermath of a security breach, covering the whole investigation and eliminating the threat. At Kaspersky, they collect evidence about an incident by analyzing log files and network events, finding indicators of compromise and more. New-generation cyber investigators will be generalists with skills in programming and hacking, but also psychology and decision-making in volatile conditions. They'll also understand robotics and AI, as they must work with emerging systems. 6.  Digital bodyguard Like bodyguards in the physical world, we'll want to hire consultants to protect our digital identities. These bodyguards will protect against doxing – when attackers publish personal data online for revenge – and cyberstalking. They'll clean our accounts and digital history, and guide and support our virtual lives. Pew Research Center found more than 40 percent of US adults experienced online harassment in 2020. Sometimes, online harassment is linked with offline harassment and even violence. Digital bodyguards will help protect us from these kinds of threats, and disrupt and identify the offender when they happen. They may also give victims emotional support. Businesses that provide digital technologies must consider how they'll facilitate digital bodyguards' work protecting their clients. 7.  Space cybersecurity engineer Satellites are the most conspicuous piece of space technology in daily life, used in communications, navigation systems, broadcast media and more. Our reliance on satellites makes them attractive to threat actors. The space industry needs dedicated specialists to prevent attacks, particularly securing operational systems like navigation, engine control and life support. With the advent of space tourism, asteroid mining and new space stations, there'll be rising demand for out-of-this-world cybersecurity experts. What does it all mean for business? The cybersecurity landscape is complex and always changing, giving rise to new roles like these predicted. It's easy for businesses to get left behind. Examples of expensive data breaches at big-name institutions suggest those who invest in top cybersecurity will save time and money long-term. For those developing future technologies, embedding cyber immunity is becoming necessary, especially if your tech will be used in critical services like healthcare and infrastructure.
IT economics report

Guess who’s leaking as much data as cybercriminals

  • min read
    • New research by Kaspersky finds employees are causing more data leaks. So much so that employee action and cyberattacks are running neck-and-neck. What's behind this growth in employee-initiated data leaking? And what can business leaders do to turn employees from cyber risk to cyber asset? Why are employees causing more data leaks? More than 3,000 IT security managers in 26 countries contributed views to Kaspersky's 2022 IT Security Economics report. The research found that in 2022, cyberattacks caused 23 percent of data leaks, while employees caused a close 22 percent. This growing proportion of leaks linked to employees may follow work-life changes since the pandemic. The report says, "IT security teams are now battling data leakages caused by employees […] following the introduction of new staff laptops or tablets, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enable remote working." And it's not all innocent mistakes. Most employee-triggered leaks involved ignoring cybersecurity policy, but security managers also reported more than a third (36 percent) were deliberate acts of sabotage or espionage. How employees cause data leaks Small, almost mundane actions often lead to data leaks. Usually, the employee is tricked by a 'social engineering' tactic or practicing poor cyber 'hygiene.' But what does that mean? Social engineering Cybercriminals use manipulative tricks known as social engineering to fool employees into giving them access to systems or giving out information they otherwise wouldn't. A common approach is 'phishing' – emails or messages containing links that give cybercriminals access to business systems when clicked on. Phishing is getting more sophisticated – mimicking, for example, emails announcing sales or discounts from household brands so well they're hard to tell apart from the real thing. 'Spear phishing' is more targeted and personalized. It might, for example, target those in an organization most likely to take the bait, or mimic a target organization's internal newsletter or email format. Cybercriminals also engage in social engineering one-on-one. For example, they may phone employees saying they're from the IT support desk and try to persuade the employee to share their login and password details. Cyber hygiene Maintaining good cyber hygiene means everyday practices that make it harder for cybercriminals to access systems. The actions that make up cyber hygiene will hopefully be familiar, for example: Having complex passwords, always using a VPN when working remotely and deleting digital information you no longer need. How to stop employee leaks Cybersecurity awareness training aims to teach cyber hygiene alongside the broader education employees need to notice and avoid falling for social engineering tricks. Earlier Kaspersky research in partnership with Longitude, a thought leadership agency within the Financial Times Group, found businesses confident in their cyber skills programs also report better overall cyberattack preparedness. While cybersecurity experts should upskill regularly, the research highlights the importance of training all staff – beyond the IT department – to create a company-wide cybersecurity culture. One-off training is also not enough: staff need to absorb ideas and practice skills to make new habits. Heathrow Airport's innovative employee cyber awareness program aims to change behavior long-term with 'little and often' education targeted at those who need it most. Heathrow uses mock phishing emails to identify employees at risk of falling for cybercriminals' tricks, so they're not wasting time educating employees whose cyber awareness is already strong. Cybersecurity awareness training should also aim to encourage 'cyber pride' – building positive motivation for good cyber behavior rather than stoking fear. What about preventing employee sabotage? Comprehensive cybersecurity education may not be enough to prevent the 36 percent of employee-generated data leaks done by disgruntled employees. Examples of how employees have deliberately leaked data abound – from sharing customer data online to handing access keys to cybercriminals. Regular user access reviews – checking who has access to what and keeping all system access to a minimum – are important, but nothing surpasses the value of maintaining a positive workplace culture. Leaders need ways to 'temperature check' their organization beyond relying on the Personnel department or peers in senior leadership to thoroughly report concerns. Affected departments have a 'dog in the fight,' so to speak, and may not share everything they should. Ways to temperature-check include 360-degree feedback mechanisms – where all staff give anonymous feedback about their manager. Writing in Forbes, founder of Rungway workplace advice platform, Julie Chakraverty, says, "To… uncover hidden attitudes and views, you need to ask your employees how they feel. Lead by example by being fully open and transparent… [and] empower your employees to share their opinions and give honest feedback." The change in how data leaks happen, with more employees triggering them, should give every business pause for thought. Bringing leadership focus back to workplace culture and employee wellbeing has always paid dividends across the business, but we now understand its crucial importance in keeping data safe. Regular, targeted cybersecurity education, strong cyber hygiene and understanding how everyone in your organization is feeling should be central to your data protection strategy.
insight story smart grids

As bills rise, smart businesses are saving with smart energy tech

  • min read
    • Alongside emissions reduction goals, energy prices have hoisted reducing energy consumption to the top of business agendas. In the UK, between 2022 and 2023, electricity prices rose 67 percent and gas prices 129 percent. In the US, energy prices are up as much as 40 percent. It's no longer a case of, should businesses cut their energy use, but how? Many organizations are looking for technologies that can help them better control their power use and use more renewable energy. As I wrote in this primer on electricity's history, a shocking 13 percent of the world's population, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, have no access to electricity. Could more business investment in renewables help to bridge the gap? Kaspersky's new podcast, Insight Story, unpacks emerging tech trends with global specialists and businesses successfully using the tech. Episode 2 looks at smart energy. I speak with Feroz Koor, Group Head of Sustainability at Woolworths Holdings. South Africa and Singapore-based Nilesh Jadhav, Founder and CEO of BtrLyf creators Qi Square, and former Programme Director, EcoCampus initiative, Nanyang Technological University. BtrLyf is an "AI-enabled assessment and marketplace platform to plan and achieve super-low energy, net zero and green certified buildings, quickly and at super-low costs." It creates 'digital twins' that let businesses model a range of energy conservation measures to find out what will work best.  Slashing grocery energy bills Woolworths has some 1,400 stores in Sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and New Zealand selling groceries, clothing, homeware and more. "Retail food businesses have a large energy footprint," says Feroz. Sustainability data science experts ESource says energy costs make up around 15 percent of food retail overheads. Feroz's company opted for smart tech to become more energy-efficient. "We've sub-metered all our stores with smart meters. There are different meters for lighting, refrigeration and air conditioning for example, so we can see what's driving consumption." The tech isn't cheap but paid for itself fast. Feroz recounts a huge discovery: "After metering one store in a new shopping center, we found we were being billed for other stores' electricity – the meters paid for themselves on the first day by proving it. We often use smart meter data to challenge incorrect billing – you'd be surprised how common it is." Meanwhile, the meters helped identify small changes that could save a lot of power. From smarter stores to smarter buildings Nilesh Jadhav, Founder of Qi Square who created BtrLyf, says, "Our customers want to improve their energy efficiency and reduce reliance on imported energy. Our platform makes the data available. So far, we've made digital models of 20,000 buildings in Singapore." Modeling their buildings gives businesses an approachable window on a daunting task. "If businesses can do an initial assessment of how they could save energy today, then how they could go to net zero [greenhouse gas emissions,] they can see the bigger picture." Woolworths is approaching a similarly daunting task – to use 100 percent sustainable energy by 2030. Feroz says, "We've made the commitment because it's the right thing to do, but we've got our work cut out for us. We have several options, like self-generation at shopping center level or sourcing from independent bulk producers. We're looking at wheeling, where you buy energy from a producer who then 'wheels' it through a distribution network. " From smarter buildings to smarter energy grids Increasingly nations and energy companies are making electricity smarter at grid level, aiming to reduce emissions and improve energy security. Smart grids can detect and react to customer use patterns, empower consumers to be more energy efficient and encourage renewable energy production by buying excess. All this can maximize renewable energy use and minimize the use of fossil fuel to generate electricity. Nilesh continues, "Microgrids take it to a system level using central energy management software and batteries to manage fluctuations." Smart grids also enable a market that incentivizes renewable energy production. Nilesh says, "If you can't put solar panels on your roof but your neighbor can, you could make a power purchase agreement (PPA). Singapore also has a market for renewable energy credits: You can buy these credits instead of buying electricity directly. If I want renewable energy but can't pay upfront for solar panels, buying renewable energy credits encourages third parties to invest, then sell the power." Securing smarter energy solutions Fabio Assolini, Head of Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team for Latin America, advises companies and nations to approach smart energy tech with due caution. "We've seen destructive attacks on civilian energy infrastructure – not just power grids, but their systems too." Fabio says over the years, these kinds of attacks are increasing. In 2021, a ransomware attack shut down a major US fuel pipeline. The same year, IBM reported energy was the third most attacked sector. Kaspersky threat predictions for 2023 foresee hacker groups carrying out high-profile cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure – such as energy grids and public broadcasting – using advanced persistent threats (APTs.) Critical infrastructure makes an attractive target for cybercriminals because of how much disruption successful attacks cause. Fabio suggests businesses pay attention to the security of their in-house energy infrastructure, as it may be particularly vulnerable. "Corporate and personal power grids are not as well protected as national infrastructure. They're often connected to the internet using older, more vulnerable hardware, and software not readily updated. Do a full security audit before launching a microgrid or smart grid." The future of smart energy for business Nilesh sees smart energy tech evolving through user participation. "On the tech side, I hope it'll go the same way as the smartphone: More resources for companies and innovators to make applications that sit on a central platform. Users could then adopt energy management tech faster. Over time, you'll see more participation from consumers." On the energy side, he thinks peer-to-peer energy sales are the future. "More people will be 'prosumers:' Consuming and producing energy and being paid for excess. Everyone will have better energy-buying options." Feroz has simple advice for businesses wanting to reduce their energy footprint. "Start now. The sooner you start doing something, whether it's just understanding your footprint or what your needs are, the better." Listen to the full Insight Story audio series on Podbean or your usual podcast provider.
paper dead shredder

Is paper dead?

  • min read
    • For retailers, predicting customers' future wants and needs is crucial – especially in this era of disrupted supply chains. I hope you won't recognize this story as something that might happen in your business, but it demonstrates how soon retailers of all sizes could find themselves in a new future. I bought a blouse recently from a traveling vintage clothes seller. Picture several racks of bright retro outfits set up under a caravan awning with a changing room crafted from tie-dyed blankets. Incense hangs in the air, as does the ringing of tiny bells attached to the seller's impossibly long hair, jingling as she wanders around after customers, straightening coat hangers. To pay, I offer cash, but she instead presents me with a beautifully calligraphed sign showing her bank account details. Given the riskiness of this practice, I offer a moment of security education. She tells me she's in the habit of giving out her bank details because it means more sales, and keeping enough change around is hard when you're always on the road. Even those on the fringes are moving towards electronic payment for its convenience and customer preference, albeit sometimes not in ideal ways. When it comes to meeting customer expectations in how your transactions happen, are you ready for a future where paper money, receipts, plastic cards are a thing of the past? Could your retail business work in a world where all money is changing hands by smartphone? Among Kaspersky researchers' privacy prediction for 2023 is that we'll keep seeing smartphones and other smart devices encroaching on activities once dominated by paper and plastic cards. A future where all we'll need is a smartphone seems close when we're paying by near-field communication (NFC) like Apple or Samsung Pay or QR code like Swish, or using apps to show COVID-19 testing and vaccination status. What does this mean for paper and plastic transactions? And what privacy and security issues should business consider when it comes to doing it all by smartphone? Environmental reasons to stop using paper and plastic Some might say the sustainability drive to eliminate paper and plastic in business transactions is overplayed. While both have significant environmental impacts, business transactions are not a major source. Meanwhile, electronic transactions can be responsible for much energy use and the equipment used will ultimately become resource-heavy and hard-to-recycle ewaste. Gen Z, Millennials and those younger will do much to avoid adding more plastic and paper to the world. Regardless of environmental impact, consumer demand for more convenient paperless and cardless transactions will only grow. Processes likely to move to smartphone apps Digitized identity documents look set to be the next big frontier for smartphones. It's already been a common approach to declaring COVID-19 testing and vaccination status worldwide, but soon passports, driver licenses, student IDs and more will be made available through apps. Germany started using app-based ID cards in 2021. Around the same time, Apple announced several US states would make digital identity cards and driver licenses available using Apple Wallet. ID stored on phones brings convenience and risk. A well-implemented system would let stores verify customers' age without seeing personal details they don't need, like home address – also known as 'zero trust' security. Digitized IDs could also speed up know-your-customer (KYC) procedures when applying for a loan with a smartphone. But using a smartphone to store growing amounts of personal data introduces 'single point of failure' security risk. Those who develop and commission smartphone software like apps must ensure top-notch device security and privacy-preserving data storage. Cardless cash withdrawal at ATMs is taking off around the world, especially where bankcard fraud is more common, like India. Smartphone apps enable cardless withdrawals, for example, scanning a QR code on the ATM screen with a payment app like Google Pay, or using near-field communication (NFC.) Again, these transactions aren't without risk. Speaking to price-comparison service Bankrate, Ricardo Pina, founder of personal finance blog The Modest Wallet, said, "Since bank cards are being replaced by phones, criminals will now be more enticed to target and hack your phone to mine your data, information and even change your phone and bank app settings." When will paper and card transactions become history? Those who run businesses that experience higher overheads thanks to processing cash, cards and printed receipts may dare to dream of a world where these go the way of the 'check.' Ubiquitous throughout most of the 20th century, many banks have stopped issuing and accepting these. Check payment is expected to be extinct by 2026. Those old enough to remember when checks were commonplace might think they'd disappeared years ago. But sometimes these methods strongly persist in parts of an economy that need them for specific reasons. A few years ago, a friend and I hiked the five-day South West Coastal Path in Cornwall, UK – and yes, it was glorious. This part of the UK is far from any major city. We were surprised to notice most bed-and-breakfasts  accepted only cash or check. Once we understood the area's geography, we paid by check wherever we could. Traveling on foot and far from towns, it seemed unwise to part with cash we might need. These businesses told us they didn't take card payments because they only had customers in summer, making point-of-sale machines uneconomic. Similarly, can smartphones – and reliable access to affordable data to operate apps – be all things to all people in all places? While access to mobile technologies has certainly enabled greater economic participation from marginalized people, we can easily overestimate how many can and will use these technologies if we use them or see them used around us often. Pew Research estimates around 85 percent of the US population owns a smartphone, but in China and India, it's lower at 70 percent. While China leads the world in mobile payment adoption, smartphone ownership numbers don't tell us how many people could use their smartphone for payments – for example, successfully download and register to use payment apps, and access data when needed. Cash transactions still account for far more business than many people think – in 2021, customers used cash for over 20 percent of point-of-sale transactions globally, according to the International Currency Association. Many businesses wouldn't survive losing 20 percent of their sales. There is also the inevitable backlash against smartphones because of negative mental health impacts, seeing some choose to quit or radically reduce how much they use them. It seems paper- and card-based identity and payment options will be with us much longer than we think, if the lifecycle of check payment is anything to go by. For small business, alternative point-of-sale card payment providers are fast making accepting cards more affordable, making paying by card even more ubiquitous without reducing security. When it comes to taking payment, it 'pays' to be flexible and listen to what your customers want, rather than focusing on what suits your business. Meanwhile, keep an eye on evolving technology making retail transactions simpler and more affordable.
cybersecurity predictions

What a year of changing cyberthreats can tell business

  • min read
    • For business leaders, knowing what's changing in cybersecurity helps you recruit the right people with the right skills today for what you'll soon need. Kaspersky's 2022 Security Bulletin (free download) analyzes which attacks their global cloud service Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) has detected, blocked and disabled over the past year. There are some numbers your business will want to know about. 15 percent of users had a malware attack Kaspersky Security Network blocked malware-class attacks on some 15 percent of users in 2022, or around 1 in 7. This shows just how common malware is. The malware class of attacks covers familiar cybercrime tools like viruses, trojans and ransomware. The countries where Kaspersky's software blocked the most malware attacks in 2022 were Tunisia, Taiwan and Algeria. 506 million web-based attacks Web-based attacks result from users downloading files that then trigger a cyberattack. These might come from websites made by cybercriminals, infected online resources within user-created content (like online forums) or legitimate resources that cybercriminals have hacked. Cybersecurity education can be a powerful tool in preventing web-based attacks. Heathrow Airport has a novel staff cybersecurity education that carefully targets those needing it most with 10-minute online learning modules. 1.4 million cryptocurrency mining attempts Cryptocurrency mining is very much on the rise. Kaspersky Security Network detected around 1.4 million attempts to install mining software in the past year. Mining means digitally solving complex mathematical problems that verify cryptocurrency transactions, which also earns cryptocurrency. It slows devices and uses much electricity. In November 2022, Kaspersky announced they'd seen a 230 percent growth in cryptocurrency mining in the third quarter of 2022 compared with the same period in the year before. 102 million attempts to visit malicious URLs Malicious URLs are a common tool in 'phishing' attacks – when cybercriminals send emails inducing recipients to click on links, downloading malware. Endpoint security is vital in protecting against phishing, as is employee cyber-awareness. 377,000 attempts to steal money These attacks were often in the form of 'banking Trojans'. In early 2022 a particularly sophisticated money-stealing Trojan popped up that masquerades as a banking app and imitates phone conversations with bank employees. The app fooled many, highlighting the need to teach employees 'cyber hygiene' – like remembering to pause and think before downloading anything. Those who provide legitimate apps or financial services might also reflect on how they can show customers their products are trustworthy. These big numbers in cybersecurity over the past year show how threats to business are growing and changing. Cybercriminals always find new ways to get through consumers' and employees' defenses. By combining hiring the right people with robust cybersecurity education and strong security solutions, your business will greatly reduce its chances of a serious attack succeeding. Then, you can spend your time on what you do best.
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About Secure Futures

Secure Futures magazine is your go-to business guide for opinions, trends and insight into the world of technology and cybersecurity. We help your business to bring on the future. Brought to you by Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity experts.

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