The business world faces new uncertainties with an increase in cyberattacks and limitations with human resources. To understand some of the current topics and challenges relating to cybersecurity, Digital Journal caught up with industry expert Sally Vincent (Senior Threat Research Engineer at LogRhythm).
Vincent says that this is the optimal time for organisations to review their cybersecurity systems. She notes: “Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a timely reminder for organizations about the importance of effectively detecting and responding to threats.”
To highlight this, Vincent cites: “According to VentureBeat, the number of cyberattacks in 2022 has increased by almost three million. Attacks against the healthcare and government sectors have especially spiked this year, with threat actors compromising organizations like the California Department of Justice, the Dominican Republic’s Instituto Agriculturo, CorrectHealth, the Behavioral Health Group, and more.”
What is the root cause of these issues once they enter business systems? Vincent is succinct: “One of the reasons for the increase in cyberattacks is staffing shortages.”
There is currently a talent shortage in the sector. Vincent points out: “According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the need for cybersecurity professionals has grown rapidly since the pandemic, while the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs has grown worldwide from 2013 to 2021 by 350 percent.”
The reasons for this are multiple: “While the aftermath of the pandemic has certainly impacted the cybersecurity industry, other factors – such as professionals lacking the proper credentials – have challenged hiring in the cybersecurity industry.”
This update is timely in the context of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The event was initially launched by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance 19 years ago to ensure organizations and consumers are ready to take on the cybersecurity landscape. This year’s theme is “See Yourself in Cyber,” highlighting that while cybersecurity may seem complex, it’s ultimately all about people.
In relation to this, Vincent says: “This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month focuses on the people that keep our industry running. It is essential for the right people to take charge in strengthening their organizations’ incident response plans to efficiently mitigate the effects of a cyberattack.”
This goes deeper: “The right people also need to ensure that their organizations implement password hygiene, threat detection capabilities, and preventative and response controls. With these changes, organizations can thwart malicious cyberactivity, have full visibility into their IT environments, and ensure the day-to-day processes of IT systems run without disruption.”
