Cyber Security Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

2020 started with the cyber security industry in a chaotic and turbulent state. 2019 was the year that brought about numerous daily cyber security breaches that varied in type and severity. Undefined by sector, it left the world in a perpetual state of distress.

In 2019 there were a confirmed 4.07 million unfilled cyber security positions worldwide, up from 2.93 million this time last year, costing an estimated 6 trillion U.S dollars in cybercrime costs; It was clear, that the only way forward in 2020 is with simplified security.

Of course, this was back in the innocent and carefree days before the COVID-19 pandemic. Have things changed? Yes, and seemingly for the world at large, affecting each individual, the world has dramatically changed; overnight. Like society at large, the cybersecurity worlds priorities, strategies and tasks have been turned upside down.

The world is now focused on the systemic threat of COVID-19. As we have seen in the past, cybercriminals around the world are taking advantage of the crisis and exploiting the online changes during this worldwide pandemic. Cyber-criminals are opportunistic, and they will find any way to attack. Cyber-attacks are on expected to rise 40% during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tapping into a world gripped by fear, cybercriminals launch attacks daily in the form of short- term opportunistic attacks, yet seeds are being sown for long term future attacks by using the current confusion and general lack of focus.