Major Cyber Security Threats Around the World

Today, growing digitalisation and technological progress have also increased threats in the field of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity threats, risks and challenges can differ by region. Regional differences can likewise appear in different forms and on different scales between countries. It can be said that the reason for this is that the targets of cyber attacks differ from region to region. This article examines the cyber threats that stand out globally and their causes.

The rationale behind this is that the actors carrying out some cyber attacks in particular are nation-state attackers. In other words, political motivation can be the main rationale for some cyber attacks. For this reason, the fact that some targets are set at the direction of states can also cause the targets of cyber attacks to vary by region. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly intensified cybersecurity threats. The major cybersecurity problems that stand out can be listed as follows.

• The Americas

Internet use is very high, especially in Latin America, and this in turn increases the rate of cyber attacks. The types of attack that stand out in the region can be described as scams, ransomware attacks, data breach attacks, malware and phishing attacks/scams.

• Asia

Cyber espionage and targeted financial crimes stand out. Phishing attacks can serve as a common entry point for many cyber attacks. Tensions between countries pave the way for attacks carried out by both nation-state and non-governmental actors.

Much important electronic supply chain infrastructure is located in the region. Cyber threats against this infrastructure account for an important share of cyber attacks. Moreover, the world depends on goods and intermediate products made in China. Attacks in this area therefore cause both supply chain disruptions and price increases.

• Russia

Russia is of critical importance in cyber attacks. According to a Microsoft report, about 60% of state-sponsored cyber attacks originate in Russia, and the success rate of these attacks has risen to about one third.

Ransomware, information operations and election-related disinformation in particular are the types of attack that stand out in the region.

• Europe

According to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, the number of serious cyber attacks roughly doubled overall from 2020 to 2021. The attacks mostly take the form of ransomware, and they focus on the health sector.

• The Middle East

The Middle East stands out especially for state-sponsored cybersecurity threats. The aims of the attacks can be described as causing economic hardship, triggering domestic political friction and gaining political advantage.

Although the cyber threats that stand out differ by region, globally malware and ransomware top the list.

There are many reasons for the increase in cyber attacks and cyber threats. Among them is the failure of the business world or governments to draw up, or their inability to draw up, a realistic and effective cybersecurity strategy and plan.

One of the most important factors determining the effectiveness of cybersecurity is undoubtedly cybersecurity strategy, plans and procedures. The lack of coordination between governments and the business world also plays an important role in this negative situation. Another reason is the public’s low situational awareness of cyber threats and the weakness of education on this subject (lack of government programmes to educate the public).