Cybersecurity ThreatsCybersecurity Threats are attacks on computer systems that could steal or delete data, disrupt systems and threaten physical safety. Bad actors continuously develop new ways to attack that can evade detection and exploit vulnerabilities, however there are some common techniques they all use.Malware attacks usually involve social manipulation: attackers trick users into breaking security protocols. These include phishing email and mobile apps.State-sponsored attacsBefore 2010, a cyberattack from the state was mostly a footnote, an occasional news item about the FBI or NSA disrupting some hacker's ill-gotten gains. Stuxnet is a malware tool created by the United States of America and Israel to interfere with Iran's nuclear programme, changed everything. Since then, governments have realized that cyberattacks are less costly than military operations and offer the greatest degree of denial.State-sponsored attack goals fall under three categories: espionage, political or financial. Spies may target companies that have intellectual property or classified information and take information to counterintelligence or blackmail. Politically motivated attacks can take aim at companies whose services are vital to public life, then attack them with a devastating attack to create unrest and harm the economy.The attacks can range from basic attacks on employees through links to a government agency or industry association to infiltrate networks and gain access to sensitive information and more sophisticated DDoS attacks that aim to block technology-dependent resources. cryptocurrency payment processing can cause havoc to software used by a company, Internet of Things devices and other essential components.More dangerous still are attacks that directly attack critical infrastructure. A recent joint advisory (CSA) from CISA and the NSA warned that Russian state-sponsored threat actors are targeting ICS/OT equipment and systems as a retaliation strategy for U.S. sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.The majority times, these attacks are designed to gather information, or to collect cash. Inflicting damage on a country's military or government systems is a challenge, since comprehensive security measures are typically in place. But attacking businesses--where senior executives often balk at spending money on the basics of security--is simple. This makes businesses a popular target for attackers, as they're the most vulnerable port into a country from where information, money or unrest can be extracted. The problem is that many business leaders don't think they're a target of these attacks by state actors and fail to take the necessary steps to defend against them. This includes implementing a cybersecurity strategy with the necessary detection, prevention and ability to respond.Terrorist AttacksTerrorist attacks can compromise cyber security in a variety of ways. Hackers can encrypt data or shut down websites to make it more difficult for their targets to obtain the information they need. They can also target medical organizations or finance firms to steal personal and confidential information.A successful attack could disrupt the operation of a business or organization and result in economic loss. This can be accomplished through phishing, where attackers send fraudulent emails to gain access to systems and networks which contain sensitive data. Hackers may also employ distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks to deny service to a system by flooding servers with untrue requests.Malware can also be used by attackers to steal data from computers. The data gathered could be used to launch attacks against the organization or its customers. SaaS solutions can also use botnets to infect large numbers of devices and integrate them into a network that is controlled remotely by the attacker.These types of attacks are extremely difficult to identify and stop. It can be a challenge for security personnel, as attackers can use legitimate credentials to log in to an account. They can also conceal their activities by using proxy servers to hide their identity and whereabouts.The sophistication of hackers varies dramatically. Some hackers are state-sponsored and they are part of a larger threat intelligence program. Others may be responsible for an attack on their own. Cyber threat actors are able to exploit software vulnerabilities, hardware vulnerabilities, and commercial tools available online.Increasingly, companies are being targeted by financial-motivated attacks. This could be due to the use of phishing or other social engineering techniques. Hackers can, for instance make a lot of money by stealing passwords of employees or compromising internal communications systems. Therefore, it is essential that businesses have policies and procedures that are effective. They must also conduct regular risk assessments to find any weaknesses in security measures. These should include education on the latest threats and ways to spot them.Industrial EspionageIndustrial espionage is often performed by hackers, whether they are independent or state-sponsored. They hack into systems that are used for information to steal information and secrets. It can take the form of stolen trade secrets, financial information or project and client details. The information can be used to sabotage your business, damage your reputation, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.Cyber-espionage is a common occurrence in high-tech industries, but can occur in any industry. SaaS solutions includes semiconductor, electronics aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, which all spend large amounts of money in research and development to get their products to market. These industries are a target for foreign intelligence agencies, criminals and private sector spies.These attackers typically rely on open source intelligence domain name management/search and social media to gather information about your company's computer and security systems. They then employ standard phishing techniques, network scanning tools, and common tools to penetrate your defenses. Once inside, they are able to use exploits and zero-day vulnerabilities to gain access, steal, change or erase sensitive data.Once inside the attack, the attacker will utilize your system to gather data about your products, clients and projects. They could also examine the internal workings of your company to find where secrets are stored, and then steal the most of it. In fact, according to Verizon's 2017 report, the most common kind of data breached in manufacturing firms was trade secrets information.Security measures that are robust can help reduce the threat of industrial espionage. This includes regular updates to your system and software, complex passwords, caution when clicking on links or other communications that look suspicious, and effective emergency response and preventative measures. It is also important to limit the attack surface, which includes that you should limit the amount of personal information you provide to online service providers and vendors, and regularly reviewing your cyber security policy.Insiders who are malicious can be difficult to identify because they often pose as normal employees. It is important to educate your employees and conduct background checks on all new hires. It's also crucial to monitor your employees after they leave your organization. It's not uncommon for terminated employees are still able to access sensitive information of the company using their credentials. This is referred to as "retroactive hackers."CybercrimeCybercrime can be committed by individuals or groups of attackers. These attackers can be motivated solely by financial profit, political motives or an urge for thrills or glory. Although these cyber criminals might not be as sophisticated as state-sponsored actors, they possess the ability to cause significant damage to both businesses and individuals.No matter if they're using a custom toolkit or a set of standard tools, attacks usually consist of repeated phases that probe defenses to find technical, procedural or physical weaknesses that they could exploit. Attackers use tools from the commonplace like scanners for networks, as well as open source data to gather and assess information about the victim's security defenses, systems and personnel. They will then make use of open source knowledge, exploiting user ignorance methods of social engineering, or information that is publicly available to gather specific information.Malicious software is a common way that hackers compromise the cybersecurity of a business. Malware can encrypt data, destroy or disable computers, steal data and more. When a computer becomes infected with malicious software it could be used as a part of botnets, which is a collection of computers that operate in a coordinated manner under the direction of the attacker to carry out attacks like phishing, distributed denial of service (DDoS) and other attacks.Hackers could also compromise the security of a business by gaining access to sensitive corporate data. This can include everything from customer data as well as personal information of employees, research and development results, to intellectual property. Cyberattacks can cause devastating financial losses aswell as disruptions to a company's daily operations. To prevent this, businesses need a comprehensive and integrated cybersecurity solution which detects and responds to threats in the entire business environment.A successful cyberattack can cause the business continuity of a company risk and could result in costly lawsuits and fines. To avoid such a scenario businesses of all sizes should be prepared with a cyber security system that can protect them from the most frequent and damaging cyberattacks. These security solutions should be able to provide the best security in today's digitally connected world. This includes protecting remote workers.