A cyber threat is a circumstance, capability or action that can impact your organization’s ability to carry out its mission or function and its image or reputation. It can be a cyberattack such as identity theft, data loss or ransomware attack or an event like a denial of service (DoS) attack or malware infection. The goal of a cyberattack is to exploit vulnerabilities to actualize a negative impact.
Technology is essential to giving individuals and organizations the tools they need to protect themselves from cybersecurity threats. These include next-generation firewalls, a Domain Name System (DNS) filtering system, malware protection and antivirus software. It also includes security solutions that are designed to protect endpoint devices such as computers and smart devices; networks; and the cloud.
The most serious cyber threats come from nation-state hackers and their proxies, criminals, hacktivists and terrorists. These actors are highly sophisticated and seek to steal intellectual property and innovation, sabotage critical infrastructure and engage in espionage. They also use advanced tactics that can have devastating kinetic and non-kinetic effects.
Cyberattacks can lead to financial losses and operational disruptions. They can also erode customer trust, damage brand image and open companies up to legal liabilities and fines. They also put the lives and well-being of our people at risk, causing real harm in a variety of ways from personal attacks to global disasters. As innovation, hyper-connectivity and digital dependence outpace our cybersecurity defenses, a new reality has emerged.