Cyber hackers – world attacked, attempts doubled in 2023

Cyber hackers more than doubled their global attack attempts in 2023, with the biggest jump in attacks on utilities (200% increase) and manufacturing (165% increase), according to a report by Armis, a San Francisco-based cybersecurity company. The report highlights the challenges faced by global organizations in protecting their “attack surface,” which includes all vulnerable technology devices. Geopolitical tensions were found to exacerbate the cybersecurity landscape in 2023, with cyberwarfare becoming more widespread as Chinese and Russian actors attacked manufacturing, educational services, and public administration. Outdated technology also plays a role in increasing cybersecurity risks, with older Windows server operating systems being 77% more likely to experience attack attempts compared to newer versions. Many businesses struggle to prioritize and fix vulnerabilities, with over 65,000 unique vulnerabilities discovered in 2023 alone. The report suggests that security teams should use intelligence to prioritize efforts and fill security gaps to mitigate risks.