The provider of the world's largest security training and simulated phishing platform, has released its report on the most common and widespread cyber crimes in 2023, with a focus on the public sector.
The report examines trends, statistics and real-world examples of cybercrime on a global scale and breaks them down by country and region, while identifying possible protective measures. The public sector is becoming an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals everywhere.
Cybercriminals are looking for personal information
This is not surprising since government agencies and public services store personal data about the vast majority of people, information that is invaluable to cybercriminals. The report contains numerous alarming facts and statistics that highlight the sharp rise in cyberattacks in this sector. Some of them are:
- Cyberattacks on government agencies and public services increased by 2023% in the second quarter of 40 compared to the first quarter.
- Government agencies etcnd law firms saw the largest increase in ransomware attacks at 95% in the third quarter of 2023.
- The global ransomware attacks rose 2023% in the third quarter of 95 compared to the same period in 2022.
- The cost of a data breach increased by 15% within three years.
- Generative AI is increasingly being used by cybercriminals to develop sophisticated social engineering attacks.
In today's digital age, common and constantly updated social engineering tactics such as phishing, vishing, spear phishing and smishing remain the most common and effective tactics used by cybercriminals to gain access to systems and carry out their attacks initiate. There is an urgent need to strengthen the human aspect of cybersecurity in companies through comprehensive security awareness training. It is an undeniable fact that employees, the last line of defense, can inadvertently become the weakest link in the security chain.
Trained employees help defend
“Through appropriate training initiatives, this cost-effective and straightforward approach can effectively counteract social engineering tactics,” said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4. “However, as the sophistication of attacks that exploit the human factor increases, continually strengthening a resilient security culture is an essential tool for enduring digital defense and operational continuity.”
More at KnowBe4.com
About KnowBe4 KnowBe4, provider of the world's largest platform for security awareness training and simulated phishing, is used by more than 60.000 companies around the world. Founded by IT and data security specialist Stu Sjouwerman, KnowBe4 helps organizations address the human element of security by raising awareness of ransomware, CEO fraud and other social engineering tactics through a new approach to security education. Kevin Mitnick, an internationally recognized cybersecurity specialist and KnowBe4's Chief Hacking Officer, helped develop the KnowBe4 training based on his well-documented social engineering tactics. Tens of thousands of organizations rely on KnowBe4 to mobilize their end users as the last line of defense.