In the crosshairs of cybercriminals

With no shortage of threats, from nation-states and hacktivists to terrorists and cybercriminals, the necessity of a globally connected infrastructure becomes a liability. How prepared are governments and organizations to thwart attacks? Are we doing all we can to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructures? What does the future hold?

Surveying over 25 OAS member states representing government agencies and critical industries, Trend Micro and OAS address these questions in this first-of-its-kind report.

The current threat landscape

The destructive attacks on critical infrastructures and key assets are on the rise. Cybercriminals are no longer limited to the cyber world. They are now targeting power grids, water supply systems, and other vital services, threatening our very way of life and international security.

Yet, as 3/4 of respondents indicated, the attacks are increasingly sophisticated, making them tough to detect. Alarmingly, almost a third of the survey respondents said they are unsure if they’ve been attacked.

The future

Most respondents indicated that they currently feel unprepared or only somewhat prepared for cyber attacks. Aging facilities and the absence of comprehensive security systems will make warding off these constantly evolving threats even more difficult. Not surprisingly, respondents perceived the future of securing these infrastructures as bleak.

Combating cybercrime

The report highlights the lack of proactive public–private partnerships as a critical security flaw. Protecting our critical infrastructures is a shared responsibility. It starts with organizations’ ability to detect and thwart cyber security threats.