When everything and everyone is online, it can be difficult to gauge the individual level of vulnerability to potential cyber threats. Cybercriminals are rarely picky about who they attack, so long as they can gain what they want through extortion. This means that no one is 100% safe on the Internet.
That’s why it’s essential to value cybersecurity measures and their ability to defend individuals, organizations, businesses, and governing bodies from cyberattacks. There is no limit to what these cybercriminals can do in the digital age, when everything is accessible through the world wide web.
Most cybersecurity companies are working night and day to provide their constituents with enough security, but it should be noted that cybercriminals are working just as hard. They weed out potential targets by identifying weak entry points and attack when their targets are at their most vulnerable.
The effects of a cyberattack are often debilitating, but it affects different groups of people in different ways. Most cybercriminals tend to attack their targets in an attempt to exploit them financially or emotionally, and in the process, they achieve their initial purpose to disturb the masses.
Cyberattacks on the Individual Level
Large companies and organizations aren’t the only worthwhile targets for cybercrimes, especially since many individuals are often oblivious to the threats they are facing every day. Plenty of cyber threats are hidden in the form of phishing emails, malware disguised as apps on the app stores, or viruses spreading on social media platforms.
While big organizations may already have cybersecurity measures in place and have factored in the emergency costs of dealing with attacks, the same cannot be said for mere individuals who are trying to get by. This is particularly harsh on victims who lack the funds nor the capacity to defend themselves from cybercriminals.
So not only will the effects of a cyberattack on an individual be debilitating, but it will also be harder for them to bounce back after the attack. Some criminals might be targeting an individual for the money, but some deliberately cause chaos and disruption just for the sake of it.
Cyberattacks on the Business Level
When a business becomes a target for cybercrime, its assets are worth exploiting. Cybercriminals may target a business to get their financial details, employee credentials, customer databases, IT infrastructure, intellectual properties, and other personal assets that can be used for blackmail.
Most cyberattacks on businesses are motivated by financial gain, but they can also be done for other purposes such as espionage and white hat hacking. If a business doesn’t have multi-level cybersecurity measures in place, then they become easy targets for cybercriminals everywhere.
Dealing with a cyberattack can mean downtime for the business, and every minute spent resolving the issue is a minute when it can lose potential profits. A company that experiences a cyberattack can also lose patronage in the process because their customers will lose trust in their data’s safety.
That’s why business owners must invest in preventive measures like business continuity solutions so that they can minimize the debilitating effects of a cyberattack. And in the process, they can also improve their disaster recovery time when faced with interruptions, such as power outages, natural phenomenon, or accidents.
Cyberattacks on the Governmental Level
Among all the units in society, the governing bodies potentially have the highest level of security in place for both on and offline platforms. These government offices have an abundance of sensitive information for their operations, constituents, plans, and other important documentation necessary for their agencies.
This fact alone already makes them a big target for cyberattacks. The criminals know that they won’t let all those sensitive information leaks out for the whole world to see. That’s also why it’s even more critical for government agencies to subscribe to the highest level of cybersecurity possible, to avoid any potential threats to their assets or their communities.
Most of the time, cyberattacks on the government aren’t for financial gain but rather for political or social gain. It can happen during election season to manipulate votes, instill fear in the public through false health hazards, or spy on political affairs and spread awareness to the masses.
Everyone can be a victim of cybercrimes: an individual, an organization, a business, or even the government. That’s why cybersecurity and Internet safety should be given more priority because that is the only way to fight against these ruthless criminals. Through raising public awareness, cybercriminals can be put to rest for good.
