TRENDING
Manufacturing has experienced a three-year decline in scores , most likely due to changes in the operating environment and the evolution of attacks . On the other hand , finance continued to demonstrate the highest maturity benchmark score for the third consecutive year , of 1.84 , a 0.02 decrease on last year , however .
Kazu Yozawa , CEO of NTT ’ s Security division , said : “ Last year , we predicted a surge in targeted , opportunistic attacks and unfortunately , this has proven all too true . While these industries have done their best to maintain essential services throughout disruptive times , the fall in security standards when companies need them most is alarming . As services continue to move online and become increasingly digital to account for the new normal , organisations must be extra vigilant in upholding and maintaining best practices in their security .”
Malware sees a metamorphosis : Crypto malware surges while trojans become more common
While malware is becoming more commoditised in features and functionality , it also became more diverse over the last year with the growth of multi-function malware . Cryptominers have replaced spyware as the most common malware in the world , but the use of certain variants of malware against specific industries continues to evolve .
Worms appeared most frequently in the finance and manufacturing sectors . Healthcare was impacted by remote access trojans , while the technology industry was targeted by ransomware . The education sector was hit by cryptominers due to the popularisation of mining among students who exploit unprotected infrastructures .
The cryptocurrency market is a prime example , with cryptominers accounting for a staggering 41 % of all detected malware in 2020 . XMRig coinminer was the most common variant , representing nearly 82 % of all coinminer activity and nearly 99 % in EMEA specifically .
Mark Thomas , who leads NTT ’ s Global Threat Intelligence Centre , said : “ On one hand you have threat actors taking advantage of a global disaster and on the other , cybercriminals capitalising on unprecedented market booms .
“ The common thread throughout both of these situations is unpredictability and risk . Changes in operating models or adoption of new technologies present opportunities for malicious actors and with a surging cryptocurrency market popular among inexperienced students ; attacks were bound to happen . Now , as we enter a more stable phase of the pandemic , organisations and individuals alike must prioritise cybersecurity hygiene across all industries , including the supply chain .”
Further 2021 GTIR highlights :
• Attacks against manufacturing increased from 7 % last year to 22 %; healthcare increased from 7 % to 17 %; and finance is up from 15 % to 23 %.
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