The importance of protecting critical infrastructure and industry supply chains from cyber threats cannot be overstated. According to the latest Cyber Threatscape Report from Accenture, these areas are facing some of the biggest threats from cyber-criminals and nation state actors.
The report highlights the fact that critical national infrastructure (CNI) is becoming an increasingly high value target for attackers. Additionally, supply chains are often seen as a weak link in corporate security, making them a prime target for malicious actors. Third- and fourth-party environments are particularly vulnerable, providing adversaries with entry points even in sectors with mature cybersecurity standards.
One of the key trends identified in the report is the rise of cryptocurrency mining malware targeting alternative coins like Monero. This trend is expected to continue well into 2019, posing a significant threat to organizations. The report also points to a growing cyber-threat from Iran and APT groups using espionage tactics for financial gain, with groups like Cobalt Group and Fin7 cited as examples.
These findings are in line with warnings from other industry experts and organizations. The NCSC has highlighted the risk of supply chain attacks, while Russian attacks on UK critical national infrastructure have become increasingly brazen. Cryptomining malware detections have also more than doubled in recent years, indicating a growing threat landscape.
In response to these emerging threats, organizations must take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Accenture Security managing director, Josh Ray, emphasizes the importance of learning from past incidents and leveraging timely threat intelligence to protect data and systems. However, a survey conducted by Accenture earlier this year revealed that many organizations still view cyber threats as a “black box,” with uncertainty about how and when they may be affected.
It is crucial for organizations to consider future threats when planning their security budgets. Only by staying ahead of evolving cyber threats can organizations effectively protect themselves from malicious actors. By taking a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by attacks on critical infrastructure, supply chains, and cryptomining activities.