A cybersecurity threat is any malicious activity that exploits an organization’s systems and networks to steal information, disrupt operations, or damage the company’s reputation. These attacks can take many forms, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS), ransomware, and email hijacking. The most common type of cyberattack is malware, which may be embedded in a web link or downloaded via unsecured Wi-Fi. This malware spoofs the identity of a legitimate site to trick the victim into revealing credentials or visiting a fake website that collects personal data.
The most high-profile security breaches involve sensitive individual data, such as bank account and credit card details, which can be sold on the “dark web” for financial gain or used to commit other crimes. Companies can also lose proprietary information or trade secrets that can erode market share or hurt competitive advantages. In more serious cases, attacks on critical infrastructure can have widespread economic consequences and endanger people’s lives.
Nation-state hackers are a growing concern, as they can compromise classified documents or interfere with democratic processes. They can also attack other countries’ infrastructure and steal critical data to achieve strategic advantage. The interconnectedness of digital systems also means that a single point of failure can cause significant problems for society. The financial burden of a cyberattack can include not only direct costs like ransom payments or system recovery expenses, but also lost revenue and legal fees. In addition, companies can find themselves facing long-term costs from lowered stock prices or increased insurance premiums due to their poor security posture.