AMANDA-JANE TURNER Cybercrime is big business thanks to technical advancement and interconnectivity creating more opportunities. This regular column will explore various aspects of cybercrime in an easy-to-understand manner to help everyone become more cyber safe.
C O L U M N
Cybercrime in 2022 As 2022 draws to a close it is right to reflect on some of the year’s cybercrime campaigns and see what we can learn from them. At the start of the year Russia invaded Ukraine. As the conflict progressed there was a spike in cybercrime activity directed against both Ukraine and Russia. This showed changes in the geopolitical environment can produce a rise in cybercrime and wars can be fought both physically and in cyberspace. Criminals exploit major events to trick people into downloading malware, paying faked invoices or entering their log-in credentials on phishing sites. With the COVID-19 pandemic still causing issues,
cybercrime, keep their cybersecurity defences strong
scam emails using COVID-19 contact tracing,
and encourage their employees to have a positive
vaccinations and fake World Health Organisation
cybersecurity culture.
information as bait were still doing the rounds. Cybercrime is profitable. It is big business. Ransomware coupled with extortion attempts
As technology develops the opportunity for
threatening the release of stolen data continue to
cybercrime develops with it. Organisations and
destroy businesses. In May this year a 157-year-
individuals alike must keep learning from cybercrime
old liberal arts college in the USA closed its doors
campaigns and use the knowledge gained to
permanently after failing to bounce back from a
strengthen their cyber defences.
December 2021 ransomware attack. In Australia report cybercrime via www.cyber.gov.au/ Ransomware is not abating, and a prime vector for it
acsc/report. In another country, report it to your local
is email. It is therefore important for organisations to
police or through the relevant cybercrime reporting
uplift their cybersecurity culture and help employees
mechanism.
spot weaponised emails. Cybercrime is big business – learn from the past, This year several big name companies found
and stay safe.
themselves victims of data thefts perpetrated by cyber intrusion or social engineering. Such thefts negatively affected those organisations, their customers and their supply chains. They highlight the need for organisations to be alert for
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W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
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www.demystifycyber.com.au
N O V E M B E R • D E C E M B E R 2022
