Technology has advanced rapidly in the past few years. More organizations than ever are relying on an increasingly complicated web of interconnected systems to communicate, process information, and store sensitive data.
Meanwhile, criminals are constantly searching for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in these systems and use this data for their own personal gain. It has never been so important for organizations to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place that can protect them from these threats.
In this article, we’ll give you a brief history of how cybersecurity first started, when it became popular, and how it works. We’ll also cover the main different types of cyberattacks and malware you need to know about and discuss how to get a cybersecurity assessment and work with cybersecurity consultants. Finally, we’ll discuss what the future of cybersecurity looks like and answer some of the most common questions we’ve seen people ask.
If you’re concerned about your business’s vulnerability to cyberattacks and you’re looking for ways to boost your cybersecurity, Xantrion can help. Get in touch to chat with one of our experts and learn how we can work with your team to address IT skills gaps and maximize your investment.
Definition: What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of using technology, people, and processes to defend and safeguard data, networks, and electronic systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats created by malicious actors.
History of cybersecurity
When was cybersecurity invented, and by whom?
The concept of cybersecurity, as we know it today, first originated around 1971. Bob Thomas, a computer programmer at the research and development company BBN, created an experimental computer program known as “Creeper.”
Creeper, which was the first example of a computer worm, was designed to test the potential of a self-replicating computer program that could spread to other computers. It famously displayed the message: “I’M THE CREEPER: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.” Though restricted to the 28 TENEX machines on ARPANET, Creeper’s impact was significant.
In response to Creeper, Ray Tomlinson, computer programmer and inventor of email on the ARPANET system, created “Reaper” in 1972. Reaper was designed to remove Creeper from the ARPANET, and it was considered the first attempt at antivirus software.
The modern cybersecurity industry began to take shape in 1987 when John McAfee developed the first commercial antivirus software, VirusScan. This laid the foundation for McAfee Corporation, which remains a prominent name in the industry today.
When did cyberattacks become an issue?
In the 1980s, cyberattacks began to become a more widespread issue. In 1982, 15-year-old high school student Rich Skrenta created a microcomputer virus known as “Elk Cloner.” This virus spread by infecting the Apple disk operating system (DOS).
Then, in 1986, Amjad Farooq Alvi created the first computer virus for IBM’s PC. The “Brain” virus took control of floppy disks by rewriting their boot sector with its own malicious code. This slowed down the drive and made seven kilobytes of memory unavailable to the DOS.
The first federal computer crime statute was included in the Comprehensive Crime Control Act (CCCA) of 1984. That same year, the US government bolstered these efforts by enacting the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) as an amendment to the CCCA.
A couple of years later, in 1988, the “Morris worm,” written by graduate student Robert Tappan Morris, spread quickly and caused widespread disruption by exploiting vulnerabilities in Unix systems.
In 1990, the Computer Antivirus Research Organization (CARO) was founded to research and study malware. As the decade progressed, household computers became more common, and people started using the Internet, which was when cyberattacks began to become a significant problem.
Given that the internet was so new, most people had no concept of what cybersecurity really meant, and there wasn’t much information available about how cyberattacks actually worked.
When did cybersecurity become popular?
By the late 90s, the media had started reporting on computer viruses, and cybersecurity was beginning to become more popular. “Michelangelo,” “Melissa,” and “Love Bug” became some of the most well-known threats of the decade.
When the “Melissa virus” was released in March 1999, the FBI sent out warnings about its effects to warn the public. Despite these warnings, it’s estimated that it cost over $80 million to repair the affected systems.
A year later, in May 200, the “Love Bug virus,” also known as “ILOVEYOU” because it began spreading as an email message with the subject “ILOVEYOU,” became the fastest-spreading computer worm in history. It’s estimated that it cost between $2 billion and $15 billion to repair the damage it caused.
Many more attacks have taken place over the past couple of decades, and the cybersecurity industry has increased in popularity significantly. In 2023, the cybersecurity market size was estimated at over USD 220 million. The rise of ecommerce, smart devices, and our increased reliance on the cloud and AI are driving the growth of the industry.
Cybersecurity today
How does cybersecurity work?
Cybersecurity works by identifying potential system vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. Prevention mechanisms include the following:
- Firewalls: These act as filters, inspecting incoming and outgoing traffic based on pre-defined security rules.
- Encryption: This technology scrambles data into unreadable code, ensuring its confidentiality even if intercepted.
- Antivirus software: This actively scans systems for malicious programs like viruses and worms and removes them if they are detected.
Increasingly, cybersecurity systems are using machine learning to detect abnormal patterns in data that suggest malicious activity. By implementing threat intelligence solutions, cybersecurity experts can identify threats and respond to them promptly.
Where is cybersecurity used, and by whom?
Cybersecurity can be used wherever technology is used. This means that it is used in a wide range of sectors, including business, healthcare, education, government, finance, and also critical infrastructure such as telecommunications, transportation, and utilities.
Industries that rely heavily on digital data or critical infrastructure are more susceptible to cyber-attacks. In 2023, the manufacturing industry was the top target for cyber extortion.
Meanwhile, the healthcare industry has incurred the highest data breach costs for the past thirteen years in a row. In 2023, 725 data breaches were reported to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Across these breaches, over 133 million records were exposed. This set a new record for the most reported breached records and the most reported data breaches.
Who needs cybersecurity?
Today, technology permeates every industry, which means there’s a greater need for cybersecurity than ever before. While cybersecurity has traditionally been associated with IT professionals, it’s becoming more important for everyone to have an understanding of the importance of cybersecurity.
For example, management, general staff members, remote workers, educators, and regulatory agencies are now all required to have a basic understanding of cybersecurity’s importance and how it affects them.
Highly regulated sectors that handle a lot of sensitive data, such as healthcare and finance, for example, have a higher need for cybersecurity than other industries. This is because this data has a very high value, and criminals can sell it for a high price or use it as leverage to try and blackmail organizations into paying them.
These organizations are also subject to especially strict regulatory requirements that are designed to protect this sensitive information. Breaching these requirements can have serious legal, financial, and reputational consequences. If organizations are repeatedly non-compliant, they may even lose their licenses.
With cyberattacks on the rise, organizations across the board are left with no choice but to increase their cyber budgets. While higher-risk industries such as those mentioned above may need a higher level of coverage, every organization can benefit from investing in cybersecurity.
Why are cyberattacks on the rise?
There are many reasons for the rise in cyberattacks. The most obvious cause is our increased digital interconnectedness, which is a drastic increase in remote working driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people’s home working environments are significantly less secure than corporate offices. There has also been a rise in people using their office equipment for personal use and using personal equipment such as phones for professional use. This has provided malicious actors with an increased attack surface. The widespread use of organizations relying on third-party cloud services for storage has also increased the surface of attacks.
The increased popularity of devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), such as smart home devices, wearables, and autonomous vehicles, has also provided cyberattackers with more potential entry points. Many of these devices also have weak security due to a lack of encryption and faulty default security settings.
The rise of cyberattacks in recent years has also made adversaries more aware of how lucrative it can be, and the popularity of cryptocurrencies has made it easier to carry out anonymous transactions that can’t be traced by law enforcement.
As a result, cybercrime is now a booming market, and attackers have developed more sophisticated methods using new technologies such as AI to automate complex attacks and carry out proactive monitoring to detect potential threats before they cause harm. Many of these attacks can be deployed on multiple entities simultaneously.
What kinds of cyberattacks and malware are there?
There are many different types of cyberattacks. Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyberattacks. These attacks use fraudulent messages or emails that appear to come from trusted sources. Traditionally, these messages would often have spelling and grammar mistakes that made them easier to spot. However, the rise of AI has made it easier for attackers to send out targeted messages that are much more difficult to detect.
Another common type of cyberattack is a denial of service (DoS) attack. This is when attackers overwhelm a network with traffic to reduce its performance and, in some cases, render it unavailable to users. With distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, the traffic comes from different sources. Even if this attack is temporary, it can significantly disrupt business operations by preventing employees from working or preventing customers from accessing services.
Ransomware attacks have also become more prolific. In these attacks, attackers encrypt their target’s data and demand payment to decrypt it. Double extortion ransomware attacks have become more common in recent years. In these attacks, attackers don’t just hold a victim’s data for ransom—they also steal it. This helps them maximize their leverage and increases their chance of getting a bigger payout.
Criminals use malware to carry out these cyberattacks. Malware is essentially any file or program designed to harm a network, server, or computer intentionally. It can disrupt a service, leak private information, provide access to a service, or interfere with the user’s privacy.
Viruses are perhaps the most well-known type of malware. A virus is a piece of code that attaches itself to a computer program and lays dormant in the system until it is executed, at which point it replicates itself. It then inserts its own code into other programs and modifies them. It’s designed to cause as much disruption as possible. For instance, it may corrupt data or delete files and can make a system unusable.
Worms share some similarities with viruses, but with a key difference: they can replicate on their own without needing a human to activate them. This allows worms to spread much faster and wider than viruses.
There are also other lesser-known types of malware. These include:
- Spyware: This monitors users’ activities, such as their browsing habits and keystrokes, and takes screen captures without their permission.
- Adware: This redirects users to unwanted sites and collects their data without consent.
Where to start as a business
Getting a cybersecurity assessment
Whether you’re a large, small, or medium-sized business, staying on top of your cybersecurity is crucial. It ensures compliance with regulations and helps you avoid legal repercussions and fines. It can reduce the risk of your insurance premiums and protect your organization’s reputation by reducing the risk of data breaches.
If your business is online in any capacity, you can benefit from a cybersecurity assessment. An assessment by an experienced team can thoroughly check your system for vulnerabilities and fix them before attackers can exploit them. It can also help you develop and refine your incident response plans so you can be prepared in case a successful cybersecurity attack on your business occurs.
There are several different types of cybersecurity assessments. If your business has its own IT team, you can conduct your own internal assessment. While this is common for large businesses, many small and medium businesses (SMBs) do not have the resources for this. Suppose this is the case for your business. In that case, you may benefit from hiring a professional cybersecurity firm to conduct an external assessment or working together with a security consultant who can provide specialized services for your business.
Do you need IT security consulting?
IT security consulting can benefit businesses across every sector. The most obvious sign that your business could benefit from IT security consulting is if you have a lack of dedicated IT security staff. This leaves significant gaps in your organization’s security that cybercriminals can exploit, and it also means there’s no one on hand to deal with a security breach if something goes wrong. Your business should have a robust incident response plan in place to minimize data loss and downtime in the case of an attack.
Suppose your business is subject to strict regulatory frameworks, like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). In that case, you must have robust security measures in place. Security breaches can lead to compliance requirement breaches, which can result in heavy fines and reputational damage.
If your business is going through a period of expansion or transition, you’re also more likely to benefit from IT security consulting. These periods can put extra stress on your employees, which may mean they’re more likely to make mistakes and less likely to be prepared in the case of a security breach. Transitioning to remote work or a hybrid setup can also introduce new risks to the workplace and necessitate the requirement for updated policies.
Find out more about whether IT security consulting could help your business, and learn how Xantrion’s IT security consulting team can help.
Different cybersecurity solutions
There are many different cybersecurity solutions available. Understanding what each solution involves can help you figure out the right choice for your business.
On-premise cybersecurity
An on-premise cybersecurity solution has a physical location. It’s typically located in the same building as your business’s security systems. It captures data from sensors, alarms, cameras, and access control systems. Security professionals can monitor and review this footage.
On-premise cybersecurity ensures that the data remains in a designated physical location. This may be important for businesses operating in an industry with strict regulatory requirements. While it offers significant benefits, this approach requires a substantial initial investment and may not adapt easily to business growth.
Remote cybersecurity
A remote cybersecurity solution is designed for businesses whose employees operate outside of a traditional office environment. It ensures they can log in to the system securely and implements robust security mechanisms such as multifactor authentication (MFA). It also ensures that the organization’s network is encrypted so that data can be transmitted securely between devices.
Cloud security
Cloud security is the practice of protecting applications running in the cloud and data held in the cloud. It ensures that data is encrypted so that only authorized users can access it, and it involves continuously monitoring configurations to ensure that best practices are being followed.
Future of cybersecurity
Will cybersecurity be in demand in the future?
As long as technology advances and evolves, the demand for cybersecurity will continue to increase. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated, and they’re constantly finding new ways to use new technology to their advantage to evade defenses. Regulations are also continuing to evolve and become stricter and more specific, requiring many businesses to implement more specialized cybersecurity measures.
Will cybersecurity become obsolete?
It is highly unlikely that cybersecurity will become obsolete. On the contrary, its importance is likely to drastically increase in the coming years as new technologies introduce new challenges.
Why cybersecurity is the future
While the future of cybersecurity is difficult to predict, it will likely become more important in the future. As technology becomes more powerful, there will be more at stake if it gets into the hands of the wrong people. As a result, cybersecurity will become more important when it comes to protecting businesses — and the rest of society — from threats.
Can cybersecurity be automated?
Advances in technology mean that some aspects of cybersecurity can be automated. Many modern threat detection systems now leverage machine learning to identify patterns and spot suspicious activity. It is also common for systems to automatically implement patches to address known system vulnerabilities.
However, organizations should not attempt to automate cybersecurity fully. Many threats are complex, and human judgment needs to make context-aware decisions and quickly assess ethical dilemmas when required.
Can cybersecurity be done or replaced by AI?
AI tools can enhance threat detection, but they cannot replace it entirely. While AI can detect potential vulnerabilities and identify patterns based on data it has been trained on, it may struggle to flag attacks it hasn’t seen before.
Given that cyberattacks are constantly evolving, attackers may deploy creative attacks that an automated system has not encountered before. In these cases, human oversight is required to identify the attack and respond appropriately.
Summary
Cybersecurity threats are likely to evolve in the coming years. While AI and automation may help detect basic threats, relying on these solutions alone is likely to jeopardize your organization and put you at risk.
To help you respond to threats and protect your organization, Xantrion can work together with your business as your IT partner to help you fill IT skill gaps and overcome challenges. Find out about our services, and chat with one of our experts to find out which of our solutions is most appropriate for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is cybersecurity so hard?
Working in cybersecurity and staying ahead of threats requires in-depth knowledge of multiple technologies. Given that threats are constantly evolving, staying up to date requires continuous training and commitment.
What cybersecurity does the government use?
Governments are significant targets for cyberattacks, given that they store significant amounts of important data and perform vital roles. Attackers have a lot to gain from gaining access to this data and disrupting operations.
As a result, governments use a range of different cybersecurity methods to defend against threats. Many governments have their own dedicated agencies to handle cybersecurity. Examples include:
- United States: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- Europe: European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA)
When is Cybersecurity Day and Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Cybersecurity Day, also known as National Computer Security Day, is on November 30. Meanwhile, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is celebrated every October.
Who enforces cybersecurity laws?
Cybersecurity law enforcement differs depending on the state and country in which you reside.
In the US, cybersecurity laws are typically enforced by several federal agencies:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Enforces laws and investigates cybercrime.
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Enforces regulations for publicly traded companies.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Enforces consumer protection laws.
Additionally, some state-level agencies also monitor compliance with regulations across specific sectors.
Can cybersecurity be done remotely?
The majority of cybersecurity can be managed remotely, and most managed security services are carried out remotely.
This reduces the need for on-site infrastructure, which is often costly and time-consuming to implement. As a result, you can access round-the-clock support, no matter where you’re located. Remote cybersecurity solutions can also be scaled quickly, which is an important factor for many growing businesses.
When choosing to work with a remote cybersecurity organization, it’s important to do your due diligence. You should make sure the company you’re working with is reputable and that their employees have been thoroughly trained. You should also make sure that you adhere to any compliance requirements that your business may be subject to, such as data protection and privacy regulations.
Which cybersecurity framework should I use?
There are several different cybersecurity frameworks to choose from. The right framework for you depends on a number of factors, including:
- Regulatory compliance requirements: This is the core reason for choosing a framework. Different regulations have different compliance requirements, so you need a framework that addresses the specific regulations you’re subject to.
- Your organization’s size and complexity: Larger organizations with more complex operations may need a more comprehensive framework than smaller, simpler organizations.
- Budget: Implementing a compliance framework can involve costs, so you need to choose one that fits your budget for things like training, software, and personnel.
- Staff expertise: The framework you choose should be manageable by your existing staff’s expertise. If you have limited technical staff, a complex framework might not be a good fit.
- Risk management approach: Different frameworks have different approaches to risk management. Choose one that aligns with how your organization already identifies and manages risks.
Choosing a cybersecurity framework is a big decision, so you must carry out a thorough assessment to evaluate your risks and requirements. You should engage stakeholders across different areas of your business to ensure you’re making an objective decision.
You may also choose to discuss your needs with a third-party cybersecurity organization to get additional advice and make sure you’re making the right decision.
Can cybersecurity be self-taught?
The increased number of online threats means that self-teaching cybersecurity has become a more common practice. There are now many resources online designed to cater to different levels of knowledge, and you can try out your skills by setting up virtual labs and conducting vulnerability assessments.
While self-teaching is an accessible way to improve your knowledge of cybersecurity, it also comes with challenges. There are many different domains of cybersecurity, and self-teaching may lack the formal structure and guidance that a professional program provides. If your goal is to get a job at a professional organization, it may also be difficult to prove your competence to potential employers without a recognized certification.
If you’d like to learn more about the latest cybersecurity practices and find out how to apply them to your business, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news and IT tips. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our experts here at Xantrion to find out more about how we can help you stay protected against cyberattacks.
