A Spooktacular Wrap-Up of SOCtober 

This October, we’ve shone a light on the chilling reality of cybersecurity, sharing tips to keep your digital life safe. As we wrap up our SOCtober and Cyber Security Awareness month, We want to take a moment to reflect on the eerie truths we uncovered this month. Spoiler alert: the real monsters are often hiding in plain sight, and they’re not just ghouls and goblins out on the streets. With data breaches, phishing scams, and ransomware lurking around every corner, it’s time to arm ourselves with knowledge.

Here’s a recap of what we learned and how we can all stay safe in this digital haunted house we call the internet:

1. 95% of data breaches are due to human error.
   Tip: Regular user security training is essential. Teach your team the importance of promptly updating software and properly configuring security settings. A little knowledge can go a long way in avoiding a fright!
2. 91% of cyber attacks begin with phishing emails.
   Tip: Educate your users on recognizing and avoiding threats. An informed team is your strongest line of defense against phishing and social engineering attacks.
3. Over 80% of breaches involve weak or stolen passwords.
   Tip: Encourage strong, unique passwords for all accounts. Add multi-factor authentication for that extra layer of protection—think of it as the ghostly lock on your haunted house!
4. 66% of organizations reported being targeted by ransomware in 2023, with average ransom payments soaring to $1,542,333.
   Tip: Back up your data and implement robust security hygiene. Regularly patch and update software, adopt the principle of least privilege, and create a tested Incident Response Plan. Don’t let your organization be the next haunted house of ransomware!
5. 94% of malware is delivered via email.
   Tip: Just like with ransomware, the solution lies in robust security practices: backup data, maintain hygiene, and patch your software diligently.
6. The average healthcare data breach was nearly $11 million in early 2023.
   Tip: Health organizations, you’re especially vulnerable! Back up your data, patch systems, and create a solid Incident Response Plan to keep those ghostly costs at bay.
7. 85% of security professionals have seen an increase in attacks involving applications.
   Tip: Strong application control is vital! At Blackpoint, we’ve blocked over 4.3 million unwanted applications this year alone to protect our customers.
8. There’s been a 29% increase in Cloud Response-related alerts from January to August 2024.
   Tip: As businesses move operations to the cloud, ensure robust security practices are in place. Strong MFA and identity monitoring are crucial to ward off lurking threats.
9. Blackpoint SOC observed a 14.3% increase in suspicious inbox rules created between August and September 2024.
   Tip: Implement conditional access and MFA to keep those sneaky rule changes at bay. Our SOC is ready to catch and notify you of any suspicious activity.
10. A 7.96% increase in Google Workspace alerts was observed between August and September.
    Tip: Similar to inbox rules, keep an eye on conditional access and MFA for your Google Workspace accounts to thwart attacks before they happen.
11. A 5.15% increase in on-premise incidents was noted between August and September 2024.
    Tip: Once again, backup data, implement proper hygiene, and patch systems. Your fortress deserves protection from the digital goblins!

As Halloween reminds us that not everything is as it seems, let’s remember that in cybersecurity ignorance is a much scarier monster. By arming ourselves with knowledge and implementing strong security practices, we can turn the tide against these cyber fiends.