The pandemic that has caught the world by surprise has affected almost every industry, whether it is the automotive industry or the food & beverage industry. With the rapid and drastic impact caused by the coronavirus, all the sectors found themselves trying to adapt to the changes. The cybersecurity industry is no exception.
However, in cybersecurity, the pandemic brought along some major developments and not all are positive. Tech users and IT security professionals in the cybersecurity industry have seen a marked shift in the prevalence of cyber threats as well as in the way people use tech.
Keep reading on to find out more about these changes in the industry. Being in the know is vital and allows you to stay ahead of it, especially if you are an IT security professional, dealing with cyber threats, or an aspiring one.

Rise in pandemic-related scams

One of the most significant changes that the cybersecurity space has noticed is a notable spike in pandemic-related scams. With the coronavirus keeping more people at home and switching to using their digital devices like laptops for work, the hackers have started to ramp up their activities. They specifically target those who have little cybersecurity literacy or are still adapting to the new digital way of life.
There are various new strategies that these hackers are currently implementing. One prevalent example now would be the hackers switching from their usual bitcoin phishing messages to taking advantages of the coronavirus to pull on the heart-strings of people and eventually scamming them. Another pandemic-related scam that has ripped many off is the sale of fake pandemic essentials like masks and hand sanitiser. These hackers create websites pretending to sell items like face masks and then not delivering the products. Some of these websites even showcase fake documents claiming to be authorised by the government.

Security challenges due to remote working

The pandemic has pushed many people to work from home in an attempt to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. This meant that people are relying more on technology and their electronic devices to communicate with their colleagues and get work done. Due to the quick shift, not many companies have had the time or knowledge to equip these devices with security measures or educate their employees about relevant risks.
It is expected that as more become aware of these increased cybersecurity risks, cybersecurity companies will rise in demand in the next year. For aspiring professionals, getting a CEH certification can enable you to join this booming industry to protect more people and organisations from cyber threats.

Accelerated digitalisation of businesses

The coronavirus pandemic took the world by storm, and across the world there were significant actions taken by governments to deter the spread of the virus any further. One of those actions was work-from-home arrangements. Although there have been increased risks due to this, as mentioned, there are also plusses to this phenomenon.
For example, with more companies and organisations moving online, there has been an increase in job opportunities in the cybersecurity space. It has increased awareness over the need for cybersecurity, and also offered more businesses the advantages of growing their online presence. Apart from the new job opportunities, the switch to an online workforce has proved to be one that is more cost-effective as well as flexible.

Finance and health organisations are most at risk

One industry that had to ramp up their services during the coronavirus pandemic would be the healthcare industry. They were the heroes that put in hours serving the patients and trying to research and develop a vaccine that grants immunity against the coronavirus. In this time where the healthcare industry is highly crucial, some malicious hackers have taken to target healthcare organisations through online attacks. They may impersonate health groups, or compromise the security of hospital websites and databases.
On the other hand, the finance industry is also at risk. With the presence and efforts of hackers becoming more prominent as the world shifts digitally, the finance industry is one that hackers view as a gold mine. Therefore, it is crucial that this industry is taking measures to ensure its security against hackers and their cyberattacks.

Conclusion

With more industries depending on the expertise of cybersecurity professionals, the demand for professionals in this industry is increasing exponentially. Hence, it is the best time to upgrade your skillsets or get into this industry with the latest cybersecurity training in Singapore. Check out our upcoming courses and get accredited with the most updated skills and tools with BridgingMinds.