Over the years, cybersecurity threats have increased, not only in the number of attacks but also in sophistication.

The digitisation of our world and increased online transactions mean more opportunities for bad actors to break into our digital space.

Hacking is also heightened, and we must avoid becoming victims. Look around your office and at home. Are we conscious that every device connected to the Internet is a potential gateway for hackers?

According to Bitdefender, a leading software security company, cybersecurity is a strategy used to protect digital assets. Therefore, what is your deliberate plan to limit unauthorised access to your computer, phone or other pieces of equipment which use the Internet? Relying on technology to help is not enough since there is a more powerful, grossly underutilised weapon — your brain — which can make a big difference in how you set up defences against illegal intrusion.

I have been conducting security awareness sessions for over five years and hoped Internet users in 2022 would be more cybersecurity-conscious. Unfortunately, I am wrong. Users are very susceptible, and this is a significant concern. Many devices like smartphones, laptops, desktops, and smart television sets are not often operating in safe environments. Many devices may have outdated software with known vulnerabilities and without antivirus protection.

Just imagine your cellphone with private after-dark content without antivirus protection? Or a company giving employees computer access to their corporate network without cybersecurity training. Why would an employer leave it to chance that the employee knows about cybersecurity?

Consider our innocent children clicking on every enticing link and downloading every “cool’ game once their storage space permits it. How about the illegal or “cracked” software installed on your computer? Poor choices expose us to entry by those who would do us harm.

The world has seen the devastation of the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, which disrupted utility services, telecommunication companies, and hospitals. In 24 hours the perpetrators attacked 185,000 computing devices from 100 countries. We repeat the warning: “Do not leave your devices exposed.”

In April one local company wrote to their clients confirming what they described as “a short-lived data breach on the technology platform resulting in compromising some customer credit cards”. They further advised their clients to contact their banks to cancel their credit cards. The world over, companies suffered reputational damage, loss of business, increased expenses, and some, ultimately, were forced to close.

There is no 100 per cent foolproof solution to prevent a successful cyberattack. In 2022 no vendor should promise this. Instead, the focus should be on stopping attacks.

The first rule for any user connecting to the Internet is to appreciate the importance of cybersecurity and the potential damage to a family, an organisation, and, by extension, a country. According to Deloitte, “91% of all cyberattacks begin with a phishing e-mail to an unexpected victim”. Hackers con users into revealing sensitive information with false e-mails, texts, and voice calls.

The chain is as weak as its weakest link, and people are the weakest link in the information system, with millions of transactions occurring daily in our country alone.

We suggest one way of preventing cyberattacks is through education, starting with the Ministry of Education and Youth including Cybersecurity 101 into their curriculum and improving computer class content beyond input-output devices.

Finally, the private sector must intensify cybersecurity messages in social media, print and mass media to build the necessary protection of our digital assets.

Almando Cox is the CEO of ResolveIT Limited and member of the Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance. Send your feedback at marketing@jtda.org.