(Newswire.net — November 4, 2020) —
While a real-world virus has grabbed most of the attention, however, the evolving online threat hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down.
This is borne out by the size and growth that defines the global cybersecurity market, which is expected to increase from $149.46 billion at the end of 2019 to an impressive $208.28 billion in 2023 (at a CAGR of 11.02%).
In fact, with the growth of e-commerce and online sales having been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, the threat posed by cyber thieves is arguably more significant than ever before. So, let’s take a look at the role and function of cybersecurity in 2020 and beyond.
How 2020 brought cybersecurity to the foreground
The fact that so many workers have made the switch to working from home as a result of the pandemic has also created vulnerabilities which attackers have successfully exploited in 2020. But it isn’t just the transition to home-working that’s created a problem; as Covid-19 has created a plausible smokescreen for phishing attacks.
The WHO have warned against the prevalence of scammers on WhatsApp and email. Moreover, with so many coming to rely on cloud-based storage, attackers have been incentivised to go after these services.
How to protect yourself post-Covid
The EU’s agency for cybersecurity has issued a whole range of recommendations for both employers and staff. Among the most important of these is the installation of a robust VPN, which will ensure that data packets sent between remote workers cannot be intercepted by third parties.
Setting up a home workspace doesn’t just mean the right connection to the wall; it also means using the right software in the right way.
Another substantial threat comes from Bring Your Own Device policies. Personal laptops and tablets had to be used out of necessity in the early days of the pandemic – but having dedicated business versions of these can help to shut the door on potential viruses and other malware that might find their way into the business.
Businesses must also provide their staff with the training they need to operate in a secure way. This can often mean the ability to spot phishing attacks and scams, some of which can be extremely subtle.
What will the new normal look like?
While the phrase ‘new normal’ has been bandied about incessantly since the crisis began, it’s rarely clear what the new normal will, in fact, look like. And so it proves in the case of cybersecurity.
What’s fairly clear is that the shift to home working will, for many, be a permanent one. Many of the advantages that existed prior to 2020 are still there, and having already taken the step to allow it in the first place, many businesses might look to transition to an environment where workers are trusted to get on with work at home, only venturing into a central office for important face-to-face meetings.
This approach is fine and will be welcomed by many, but it must be supported by increased investment in cybersecurity and the advanced technologies that can safeguard both employee and consumer data alike.
A key element of this is to recognise the nature of the modern cyber threat and the way in which thieves continue to become increasingly sophisticated in their approach, in order to create a measured and flexible approach that can evolve over time.