A single careless click can bring a company to the brink. Cyber attacks are an omnipresent threat. Ransomware, phishing and social engineering not only affect large corporations, but also small and medium-sized companies. But people remain the biggest weak point. Can security awareness really protect against attacks? Or is it just another buzzword in the IT security industry?
Cybercrime is a serious problem. Approximately 85% of all successful cyberattacks are the result of human error, be it carelessly clicking on phishing links or using weak passwords. According to a survey by YouGov und digitalswitzerland, 4% of companies and individuals surveyed have already experienced an attack with financial or reputational consequences. 73% of IT service providers assume that their customers will take more security measures in the coming years to protect themselves against the growing threat. Nevertheless, only 50% of the population believes that measures against cyberattacks are really necessary, which indicates a dangerous underestimation of the problem.
Even though cyber attacks are a growing threat, companies perceive the risk differently. Only 40% of SMEs consider cyber security to be a high priority, while the general population tends to rate the risk higher. IT service providers see a significant risk, particularly for SMEs, of being put out of action for at least one day by cyber attacks. The most common consequences of such attacks are considerable financial damage, a high workload to rectify and emotional stress for those affected.
Companies are increasingly relying on technical measures to protect themselves against cyber attacks. 7 out of 10 of these measures have already been fully implemented by SMEs. Regular updates, firewalls and access controls, which improve the basic level of security, are particularly common security measures. However, organizational measures, such as employee training or emergency plans, often fall by the wayside. This is worrying, as human error is still one of the main causes of successful cyberattacks.
Another problem is the low use of modern security technologies. Only 6% of SMEs use artificial intelligence to protect themselves against cyberattacks, although AI-based systems can help to detect threats at an early stage and ward off attacks. Password managers and biometric authentication methods, which could make access to sensitive data more secure, are also particularly uncommon. This gap shows that many companies still have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to implementing holistic security measures. Greater use of such technologies will help to improve cyber security in the long term.
IT service providers often rate their customers' cyber security worse than they do themselves. While many companies believe they are adequately protected, only 41% of IT service providers consider the security measures they have taken to be sufficient. At the same time, almost 9 out of 10 IT companies expect demand for security solutions to increase over the next few years. However, this increased demand also brings new challenges: The lack of qualified personnel and the high costs of implementing effective security measures make it difficult for companies to protect themselves adequately.
The market for cybersecurity is growing continuously as more and more companies recognize the urgent need. IT security specialists are in high demand, and the demand for specialized training and innovative security solutions is constantly increasing. Companies that invest in cybersecurity not only improve their protection against attacks, but also increase their trust with customers and partners.
Companies and IT service providers rate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity differently. While two thirds of IT service providers have already gained experience with AI, only 20% of SMEs have done so. Companies that use AI technologies often rate their security situation better than those that do not. However, many companies are unsure whether AI brings more benefits or risks. While some see the technology as an effective aid for detecting and defending against attacks, others fear new vulnerabilities and uncertainties.
The increasing threat of cybercrime is forcing companies to strengthen their protective measures. The importance of cybersecurity will continue to grow as the threat situation continues to intensify. Companies are increasingly investing in security measures to arm themselves against new methods of attack. Future developments show that cybersecurity will remain a central component of digital transformation and that companies will have to work on protecting their systems in the long term. AI-supported security solutions and automated defense mechanisms in particular will play a major role in this.
48% of SMEs plan to improve their security strategies in the next 1-3 years. Companies with 20-49 employees and companies in the financial sector in particular have recognized that they need to adapt their IT security measures. IT service providers particularly recommend employee training, regular updates and the implementation of internal security processes in order to improve security in the long term.
At TreeSolution, we know that cyber security is more than just technology - it's about people. Our customized security awareness training courses help companies to close security gaps and sensitize employees to cyber threats in a targeted manner. With realistic simulations and practice-oriented training, we not only strengthen technical defensive measures, but also the awareness and behavior of employees.
With our innovative training offer, we enable companies to actively protect themselves against cyber attacks and establish a secure corporate culture in the long term. Find out more about how TreeSolution can protect your company on our TreeSolution website.
Security awareness is no longer an option - it is a necessity. Employees must learn to recognize threats before it is too late. This can be improved through targeted security awareness programs that include regular training, interactive simulations and gamification elements. Through practical exercises, employees are sensitized and trained to recognize cyber threats at an early stage and react appropriately. Companies that focus on continuous training and awareness-raising significantly reduce the risk of security incidents.
However, traditional training courses are often dry and ineffective. TreeSolution takes a different approach and offers companies a practical and effective way to sustainably improve their security culture:
With TreeSolution, companies not only receive training, but also a holistic solution to strengthen their security measures. Our innovative training courses not only help to raise awareness of cyber threats, but also to implement effective protective measures. This enables companies to proactively arm themselves against attacks and make their employees the first line of defense in cyber security.
Cyber Study 2024 by YouGov and digitalswitzerland: https://cyberstudie.ch/ or at digitalswitzerland.
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