APAC Cybersecurity Prediction for 2022

Trends that will build the digital landscape for 2022 are predicted by Palo Alto Networks, a leader in global cybersecurity.

FREMONT, CA: As organizations persisted in navigating the effects of the global pandemic, a sustainable acceleration of innovation and digital transformation was witnessed. This year, the impact of ransomware attacks also reached unprecedented levels as cyber attackers became more sophisticated after threatening thousands of organizations globally and holding critical infrastructure hostage. Moreover, with the pandemic-induced shift in digital behavior and as adoption will continue to stay, organizations must look out for emerging trends to ensure they are prepared and have the appropriate solutions for any unforeseen threats ahead.

A profound increase in ransomware attacks has been noticed in the APAC region. In the first half of 2021, several organizations paid an average ransom worth 570000 dollars, an 82 percent increment from the last year, as per the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report. This report's statistics clarify how cybercriminals dominate the cyber threat landscape and continue to profit from it. Further, cybercriminals have additional funds and resources to launch bigger attacks on critical infrastructure. In addition, cryptocurrency is driving the ransomware economy by raising the value and anonymity of ransomware payments.

Apart from monetary loss for the business, the systems, and services that the entire population relies on could also be crippled. One can also expect cybercriminals to advance their capabilities and inflict lasting reputational damage if the victim does not accede to their ransom demands. Further, the prime target for hackers is critical infrastructure, with its sensitive and profitable data. Also, a number of high-profile attacks were witnessed in the region, including one that brought down New Zealand's stock exchange and interrupted the operations of Taiwan's state-owned energy business. As threat attackers add pressure points to coerce their victims into paying up, a quadruple rise in extortion tactics can also be seen.