Latin America. Latin America is one of the geographical areas in the world where cyberattacks occur the most, with more than 1,600 incidents per second.
During the first half of 2022, 384 thousand ransomware attacks were recorded worldwide, 14% of which were in the region. Additionally, 15 threat actors have been detected in Latin countries this year.
Helder Ferrão, Industry Strategic Director for Latin America at Akamai Technologies, details the top cybersecurity mistakes made by companies and organizations.
Lack of awareness
Companies invest millions of dollars in security solutions to protect their mission-critical applications, yet they forget that the weakest link is the human factor. As such, it's critical to educate and raise awareness among employees about ever-evolving cyber threats.
Weak passwords and reuse
It's crucial for organizations to invest in implementing two-factor authentication (MFA) processes, encourage the creation of strong passwords, and promote the practice of not using them across multiple accounts, thereby contributing to a more secure cybersecurity posture. It's critical to regularly change passwords.
Lack of software updates
Updates are often specifically designed to fix security holes, and carelessness in this regard leaves systems and applications susceptible to attacks that could have been prevented. Therefore, keeping software up-to-date is a critical practice to ensure strong digital security and protect company and customer data.
Excessive permissions
Judicious management of permissions, adjusting them according to individual needs, is the key to maintaining strong cybersecurity. This ensures that only those authorized can access sensitive information, building a stronger barrier against cyber threats and minimizing the potential for security incidents.
Deficiency in monitoring and detection
Failing to monitor and detect cyber threats in real-time is a critical mistake in a company's security strategy. Prioritizing monitoring and detection solutions is an essential measure to protect critical assets and company reputation in an increasingly dangerous digital environment.
Lack of incident response plan
When a security breach occurs, the lack of a structured plan can lead to confusion and substantial losses. A Solid Plan Helps Coordinate Actions and Mitigate Damage
According to Helder Ferrão, cybersecurity is an ongoing journey, not a final destination. By acknowledging these mistakes and taking steps to correct them, businesses can protect their most valuable assets: information and reputation. "Cybersecurity is the key to survival in today's business environment and the foundation for a more secure digital future", concludes the Akamai executive.
