While this growth in technology promises to provide significant benefits, such as enhanced productivity and more efficient resource management, it has also increased the risk of cyber threats. Due to the country’s strategic location and economic importance, it has become an attractive target for bad actors.
According to Trend Micro’s Annual Cybersecurity Report 2022, the company’s solutions detected and blocked over 16mn cyber threats in Qatar last year. Of these threats, over 4mn were e-mail attacks and more than 7mn were malicious malware attacks. These figures are alarming and emphasise the need for organisations to take a proactive approach towards securing their digital infrastructure with a multi-layered approach. Here are the report’s key findings to guide organisations in the country on their digital journey:
Ransomware groups have evolved – In 2022, there was a significant drop of 38% in ransomware revenue worldwide, which forced cybercriminals to adjust their strategies. To create ransomware that is more difficult to detect, these threat actors started using Rust, a programming language. This development raises a red flag for companies in the region, highlighting the need to implement a strong security approach to safeguard their digital infrastructure.
Cloud security is a growing concern - The advent of cloud computing has brought about enhanced organisational agility and scalability; however, it has also introduced new security challenges. In 2022, misconfigured cloud services and insecure APIs were the leading causes of cloud security incidents. To secure cloud environments, organisations in Qatar must adopt a comprehensive strategy that enhances monitoring access control, improving encryption, and managing vulnerabilities.
The human factor remains a key challenge - The human factor remains a significant challenge in cybersecurity, with threat actors using social engineering and phishing attacks to exploit vulnerabilities. To strengthen their cybersecurity posture, organisations operating in the country must prioritise security awareness and training for their employees. This involves educating them on the latest security threats, how to identify and respond to suspicious activity, and how to follow best practices for data protection. By doing so, employees can be better equipped to recognise potential cyber threats and take proactive measures to prevent them. Prioritising security awareness and training for employees can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats.
By adopting a risk-based approach and implementing a multi-layered security strategy, organisations can navigate through the complexities of the modern threat landscape and safeguard their digital assets against malicious actors. The fight against cyber threats is a continuous effort that requires collaboration between organisations, industry experts, and government agencies.Let’s continue to prioritise cybersecurity and take the necessary steps to protect our businesses and the people we serve.
- The writer is Managing Director of Gulf and Emerging Markets at Trend Micro.
