The digital transformation continues its unstoppable advance across all sectors, from large corporations to small businesses. However, this progress has also brought about an exponential increase in cyberattacks. In 2024, Spain is experiencing an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks, with an average of over 50,000 daily incidents—a 25% increase compared to the previous year. This situation has put companies, public administrations, and citizens on alert, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurityCybersecurity solutions are essential in this digital age..
The attacks have not only increased in volume but also in complexity, utilizing ever more sophisticated techniques that aim to exploit vulnerabilities in systems. For companies, the consequences can be catastrophic: loss of confidential data, operational disruptions, damage to reputation, and in some cases, significant financial losses.
Origins of Cyberattacks
While many people believe that cyberattacks exclusively come from external hackers, the reality is that a significant portion originates from current or former employees. Whether for economic reasons, revenge, or simple negligence, these individuals can leak sensitive information such as customer data, passwords, or internal reports. Furthermore, external attacks often take advantage of human errors, like opening infected files or using weak passwords.
In other cases, attacks are coordinated by organized groups of hackers or networks of machines (bots) that execute synchronized attacks to maximize their impact.
Behaviors That Endanger Cybersecurity
Many successful cyberattacks are due to everyday practices that, although seemingly harmless, compromise the security of companies. Some of the most common behaviors include:
- Using external devices (like flash drives) on corporate equipment.
- Failing to log out or lock devices when leaving.
- Uploading unencrypted files to the cloud.
- Downloading software from unofficial sources.
- Poor password management (sharing them, writing them down, etc.).
- Not reporting incidents or suspicions of security breaches.
Most Common Types of Cyberattacks
In 2024, cybercriminals employ a variety of techniques to attack companies. Some of the most frequent include:
- Password Attacks: Using brute-force tools or dictionaries, they attempt to crack passwords to access systems or applications.
- Social Engineering: They use deception to obtain confidential information. Techniques such as phishing, smishing, or vishing are becoming increasingly common.
- Network and Connection Attacks: This includes methods such as spoofing (IP or email impersonation), DDoS (Denial of Service attacks), or attacks on Wi-Fi networks.
- Malware: Malicious software such as viruses, trojans, ransomware, or spyware designed to steal data, damage systems, or take control of devices.
- Public Information Gathering: Attackers use techniques like footprinting or Google Hacking to collect public data that may be useful for future attacks.
Conclusion
The year 2024 has demonstrated that cybersecurity must be a priority for all companies, regardless of size. Most successful cyberattacks are due to human errors or bad practices, making it essential to train employees in security matters and establish clear protocols to prevent and respond to these incidents.
In a forthcoming article, we will discuss specific measures that companies can implement to protect themselves from these attacks and ensure the security of their data and operations. In the meantime, it is essential to stay informed and turn to specialized sources, such as the INCIBE (National Cybersecurity Institute), to keep abreast of the latest threats and solutions.
Source: INCIBE, Cybersecurity Statistics 2024.