In an era defined by digital connectivity, the need for online safety is more important than ever. Given the frequency of cybercrime stories in the news, as we celebrate Internet Safety Month, the stakes are higher than ever before.
The influence of the internet, coupled with the exponential growth of online threats, demands companies and individuals to protect themselves and their data. From cyberbullying, to phishing, identity theft and data breaches, individuals need to start thinking about how to keep themselves and their data secure online.
We asked the experts why they think internet safety is more important than ever:
Gabe Luis, Senior Director for Western Europe at Infoblox
“Businesses today are increasingly adopting hybrid and multi-cloud environments to stay competitive, creating additional complexity and expanding attack surfaces. This, coupled with socio-economic factors like the Ukraine and Russia war leading to an increase in organised cybercrime attacks, mean 2023 is proving to be a challenging year so far.
“Our recent research shows that 60% of organisations have suffered at least one data breach in the last 12 months. The estimated average value of U.K. organisational losses, including direct and indirect financial losses, was roughly £1.5 million.
“Attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Phishing scams now merge seamlessly into online experiences as cyber criminals carefully create emails, social media posts and websites to trick distracted employees into sharing confidential company information or log-in credentials. Uniting network teams (NetOps) and security teams (SecOps) is the most comprehensive way to ensure network-wide security as it puts data in context, and offers genuine end-to-end visibility.”
Liam Follin, CHECK Team Leader & Consultant at Pentest People
“Online safety has become crucial due to the growing dependence on digital platforms and the rise of cyber threats. Increased online presence has created a fertile ground for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities, resulting in an alarming surge in cybercrimes, such as identity theft, fraud, and data breaches.
“Widespread use of social media has caused online harassment and cyberbullying to become an everyday issue affecting individuals, especially children and teenagers. The consequences of these digital threats can be devastating, leading to psychological distress. The digital realm is witnessing the rapid spread of misinformation, fake news, and online extremism, which pose significant risks to public discourse, political stability, and societal cohesion.
“The UK must prioritise initiatives that educate and empower individuals to protect themselves from cyber threats, while enforcing robust legislation and regulations to hold perpetrators accountable. Collaboration between government, technology companies, and users is essential to implement effective measures. Only by embracing a comprehensive approach can the UK ensure that individuals can navigate the digital landscape securely, thereby fostering trust, well-being, and the integrity of the online environment.”
Will LaSala, Field CTO at OneSpan
“Web3 will usher in a new online world where consumers interact with businesses in different ways, creating new security threats. To prepare for this, we must ensure that people are who they say they are and are not bad actors performing advanced identity fraud, such as deepfake attacks.
“The key to securing and protecting our online identities amidst Web3 is continuous identity verification throughout every digital interaction or transaction. While solutions like MFA, biometrics, and token-based authentication have emerged, they are not continuous or woven throughout the entire transaction lifecycle, putting identities at risk.”
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Aled Williams, Director at remson
“2023 has seen a rapid increase in successful cyber attacks. The most common type of attack is carried out by the exploitation of malicious links within emails.
“The success of these attacks is attributed to the fact that we make it too easy for the hacker. We do not follow basic security concepts to prevent exploitation. We would much rather rely on blind faith as a security strategy.
“Smaller, more agile hackers and ransomware gangs have capitalised on a gap in the market and now advertise and sell ransomware services on the dark web, even offering monthly subscriptions for these services!
“Approximately 85% of cyber attacks are caried out by unskilled opportunists. If you were a non-technical criminal, wouldn’t you be keen to cash in on this flourishing market?
“This market will keep growing unless we act now, start taking cyber security seriously and stop making it so easy.”
Yvonne Eskenzi, Founder at Eskenzi PR
“Internet Safety Month in 2023 has never been a more important initiative. As a cybersecurity PR agency, my team and I have terrifying insight into the world of cybercrime, which by 2025 is predicted to cost the world $10.5 Trillion – Nealy four times the GDP of the United Kingdom in 2022.
“Time and again the advice our clients provide is the same; That organisations fail to undertake basic cybersecurity requirements. These basics, such as ensuring that security awareness training takes place, people are aware of the risk posed by phishing emails or texts, and that complex passwords are developed and regularly updated to ensure they are not compromised, are key factors in staying safe online.
“If both organisations and the individuals who make them up were to listen to this advice, we would be able to create a safer Internet then the one on which we currently operate.”
Chris White, Member of International Cyber Expo’s Advisory Council
“It’s Internet Safety Month and online safety is more critical than ever due to the increasing reliance we find ourselves in for work, education, and social interactions.
“The extensive use of technology exposes us to a range of risks, including identity theft, scams, and data breaches. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with the internet, it is crucial to prioritise the safeguarding of personal information and digital privacy. As cyber threats evolve, we need to stay informed about the latest security practices and implement effective measures to protect ourselves and our digital assets.
“This month serves as a timely reminder to raise awareness, promote responsible online behaviour, and equip individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape securely.
“Some of the most basic cyber security practices, can protect you from the majority of cyber-crime. By prioritising online safety, we can ensure a safer and more secure online environment for all users.”
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Ed Williams, VP Pen Testing EMEA at Trustwave
“June is Internet Safety Month, a period dedicated to educating everyone on the best practices of remaining safe while online.
“The need to be secure is obvious. The FBI’s 2022 Internet Crime Report lists more than 800,000 complaints filed last year resulting in $10.3 billion in losses, with the majority of these being the result of phishing attacks. The good news is a bit of cybersecurity knowledge can help make the average Internet user much safer.
“Personal information, such as purchase history and location, has value. Be thoughtful about who gets that information and how it’s collected through apps and websites; audit your privacy and security settings on web services and devices to match your comfort level.
“Practice good email hygiene. Don’t click on unknown links or download attachments in emails where you don’t recognize the sender.
“Lastly, don’t underestimate a strong password. A very long password can be just as secure as a complex one and is often easier to remember. For example, ‘FRBuyps#6Ph3’ would take about 34,000 years to crack but would be agonizing for an employee to use. However, ‘iHatemyc0mpanyspasswords~,’ although very simple, would take about 400 octillion years to crack with today’s tools.”
Steve Timothy, Cybersecurity Specialist Director at Ricoh UK
“According to Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. Businesses must therefore ensure their strategies anticipate, detect, and disrupt evolving threats. However, the first line of defence for your business is your employees – making sure they not only understand but live and breathe online safety is essential for everything else to function.
Part of this first line of defence is ensuring employee buy-in and understanding this means providing consistent processes and regular training to keep them up to speed on the latest tactics being employed by cybercriminals. Alignment on security policy also plays a vital role in robust networks. Policies which are built on a personalised foundation and joint effort between IT, HR and legal teams stand a far greater chance of deterring, detecting and repelling threats.”
“Cybersecurity is a business-critical issue and one of the key indicators of an organisation’s digital maturity. A joined-up approach and alignment between all areas of the business are key in ensuring that organisations (and the individuals) are protected.”
Dominik Birgelen, CEO at oneclick
“In today’s digital era, ensuring online safety is essential for organisations as data privacy has become a paramount concern for individuals and businesses alike. Failing to secure sensitive information can not only damage a business financially, but it can have further knock-on effects. For instance, companies who fail to secure data face significant fines from watchdogs which can further lead to reputational damage and loss of stakeholders’ trust.
“What’s more, failing to protect data only makes it difficult to attract investors and remain appealing to wider stakeholders. Startups must prioritise and build appropriate cybersecurity strategies.
“Strong cyber safety practices are also fundamental for new business ventures. By investing in reliable cybersecurity solutions and adopting best practices, startups can protect their valuable assets, mitigate any risks of data theft, and can concentrate on scaling their operations to achieve their business objectives.”
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Paul Holland CEO at Beyond Encryption
“As businesses and government institutions continue to pursue digital transformation strategies, our lives are steadily migrating online. Whilst this comes with undeniable benefits, it also presents challenges and dangers, as cybercriminals target the highly valuable personal information we keep online.
“As we become a digital-first society, businesses and consumers have to be increasingly vigilant of threats they face. Email, for instance, is the most popular online communication method, with over 3 million being sent and received every second. Yet, such familiarity can breed a false sense of security, with consumers and businesses still sharing sensitive information over email, presuming it’s secure.
“This is not the case, as the networks and servers used are not natively secure. Additionally, the latest developments in AI have made phishing scams even harder to spot, and with UK individuals receiving one phishing email in every 3,722 messages received, our awareness of such threats is crucial.”
Javvad Malik, Lead Security Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4
“Online safety is more important than ever before. With more people using the internet for work, school, and entertainment, there is a greater risk of being exposed to cyber threats. These threats can range from phishing scams to malware attacks, and they can have a significant impact on our personal and professional lives.
“Nearly every interaction we have with government or private services, apps, and devices have an online element, and the amount of information it collects on individuals is extremely valuable.
“There are a number of things we can do to protect ourselves online. We can use strong passwords, keep our software up to date, and be careful about what information we share online. We can also educate ourselves about the latest cyber threats and how to protect ourselves from them.”
Laura Kankaala, Founder at F-Secure
“We’re continually spending more time online and as a result, most of our lives and personal information is held digitally and accessible online – from bank cards and government ID to contact details, photographs and medical information,” says Laura Kankaala, Threat Intelligence Lead at cyber security software provider, F-Secure.
“The impact of our data being compromised nowadays, compared to ten years ago, is huge. Most people don’t think about or realise how devastating identity fraud and financial loss it is until it happens to them. Even simply losing access to your online services, such as social media, due to hacking can lead to loss of important memories as your accounts could be deleted forever.
“It can be very difficult to claim the money back, or online accounts back, and the process can be time consuming and distressing. In the case of cyber security – prevention is better than cure. Failing to have any online security for all of your digital moments in this day and age is like leaving your front door unlocked.”
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Gaël Duval, Founder at Murena
“Most people don’t realise just how much information they are sharing online simply by going about their daily lives,” says Gaël Duval, data privacy expert, founder of eFoundation and CEO of pro-privacy smartphone designer Murena, “I don’t just mean the information they willingly post on social media; every interaction with your phone, work computer collects data and shares it with big tech companies like Google.
“From where you shop, what you eat, where you live to things like heart rate and menstrual cycle if you’re using health services, all this data is used to build a picture on you and your habits so you can be served increasingly relevant content and ads designed to keep you online and spending more. Internet safety is not just about security, it’s also about privacy as poor privacy can directly impact mental health and spending habits.”
Luis Corrons, Security Evangelist at Avast
“Nowadays, the line between the physical and the digital world has blurred significantly. That’s why I consider online safety not as a separate concern, but a fundamental part of our overall safety. We can do anything online, from simple tasks such as chatting with our friends or reading the news, shopping for groceries, planning our vacations or even buying a car.
“There are many risks we are exposed to when we transact online, such as identity theft, financial fraud, or privacy breaches. All our online actions have consequences in the real world; therefore, I’d say that online safety is not just about securing our digital interactions, but about safeguarding our real-world lives. As the digitalization of our life is something that is only going to grow and expand, prioritising online safety becomes synonymous with ensuring our personal safety in all aspects of life.”
Martin Lauer, Founder and Chief Executive at The One Point
“Cybersecurity is vital due to the significant costs of cyber incidents and in 2023, employee vulnerability remains a major risk. Studies show that 60% of small businesses go bankrupt within six months of an attack. Human error, like clicking on malicious links or opening suspicious attachments, often triggers cyber incidents. Training and awareness are crucial for prevention, particularly regarding phishing scams. Simulated exercises and education can reduce vulnerability by 94% in a year.
“Cyber criminals exploit supply chains and pose as customers to manipulate invoices. Shadow IT and unauthorized software also threaten data security. Account security, strong passwords, and multi-factor authentication are vital in the era of cloud storage. Negligence can lead to severe breaches, as insurers now require cybersecurity measures.
“A comprehensive plan includes managed service providers, incident response protocols, and employee training. Security awareness educates employees on threats and best practices. Ignoring cybersecurity risks financial loss, disruptions, and reputational damage.”
Mark Brown, Founder at Psybersafe
“AI is turbo-charging cyber criminals’ ability to create convincing sophisticated cyber attacks, whether it’s a phishing attack, social engineering or even creating malicious code for malware. AI can, with some clever prompting, create very convincing narratives: emails that may trick unsuspecting people into clicking on links or opening attachments. ChatGPT can do the creative writing in seconds, offering up multiple options to choose from and in many languages too.
“Deepfakes are now even easier and quicker to create – what used to take hundreds of photos to create a convincing fake video, can now be done with a handful, far quicker and cheaper. And whilst AI may not be the perfect coder, it can, in seconds, create suggestions and different ideas for how to write a particular piece of code – a coder can leverage the additional creative powers to iterate to ever more tricky malware.
“Critical thinking is a must have skill: we need to be suspicious of anything we see online.”
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