New data unveiled by BT reveals a staggering average of more than 46 million potential signals of cyberattacks every day worldwide. BT’s cybersecurity experts are currently tracking over 530 signals of potential attacks per second as they safeguard their global networks against a multitude of malicious actors aiming to exploit vulnerabilities, with businesses and critical national infrastructure as their prime targets.
In an era where businesses of all sizes have gone digital, certain sectors have become particularly appealing to cybercriminals. In the past year, the most targeted industries have been IT, defense, banking, and insurance, accounting for 19.7% of malware sightings. The retail, hospitality, and education sectors are also at high risk, representing 14.9% of malware sightings. Criminals often leverage seasonal sales and spikes in online traffic, making the festive period a cause for concern for retailers.
Small businesses, start-ups, and charities are not immune to these threats either. Approximately 785,000 cybercrimes were reported across UK charities in the last 12 months, signaling that cybercriminals are expanding their focus to organizations and sectors that may not have traditionally been prime targets or lacked robust security measures. The widespread use of big data and connected technology has made almost anyone susceptible to cyberattacks.
BT’s data further reveals that cybercriminals scan devices connected to the internet every 30 seconds in search of vulnerabilities, utilizing automation and machine learning to identify weaknesses in business defenses, akin to a burglar searching for an open window. On average, a business can expect its network to be scanned and tested by cybercriminals over 3,000 times each day. Consequently, it is crucial for organizations to have effective tools in place to identify and prevent attacks and to consistently review their security measures.
These figures are particularly concerning as more than 61% of businesses in the UK find it increasingly challenging to keep up with cybersecurity measures. Additionally, raising awareness about cybersecurity threats throughout the entire organization remains a significant challenge, with one in four (26%) businesses identifying this as their most significant pain point.
As Cyber Security Awareness Month concludes, BT has launched a podcast series titled “True Cybercrime Stories by BT.” Narrated by Adrian Lester, star of “The Undeclared War,” this series aims to reach the 43% of decision-makers who turn to podcasts for business-related content. The podcast delves into the real stories behind some of the world’s most harrowing cyber hacks, shedding light on the growing battleground of digital crime, from a casino breach via a fish tank to schools and hospitals being exploited, as well as the great Twitter heist.
BT, serving customers in over 180 countries, manages cybersecurity for both private and public sector organizations globally, including critical national infrastructure. Its team of 3,000 cyber professionals defends against thousands of cyberattacks daily.
Tris Morgan, Managing Director, Security at BT, commented, “The volume of cyberthreats in the UK is rising at an alarming rate, so it’s really concerning that so many businesses and public services are leaving themselves open to attack. With more than a million business customers, BT is the first line of cyber defense for organizations across the world, and we’re proud of our long heritage of protecting people, businesses, and critical national infrastructure.” Morgan explained that the “True Cybercrime Stories” podcast aims to raise awareness of the risks and encourage everyone to consider steps they can take to protect their businesses and essential services.
Adrian Lester, actor and lead narrator of the podcast, added, “Truth is so often stranger than fiction, and in the dark underbelly of cybercrime, that adage certainly rings true. The podcast aims to shed light on some of those remarkable true stories, and I’m sure all listeners will take away some valuable lessons to stop them from getting caught out.”
