In 2021, the Internet has never been less safe.
Granted, it's never been an entirely safe place to begin with; but with the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent shifting of most activities to online spaces, more people are now vulnerable in more ways than ever. As technology has continued to advance and become more and more sophisticated, cybercrime has evolved in stride with it, and cybercriminals are only getting more creative as time goes on. The pandemic has forced the sheep inside with the wolves, so to speak, and cybercriminals are taking advantage of the situation, taking as much as they can from corporations and individuals alike.
For individuals and small businesses looking to protect themselves, it's important to understand the depth and range of the problem. In the service of that, here are a few facts that might demonstrate the widespread need for both competent cybersecurity programs and cybersecurity specialists.
The Ongoing Rise of Cybercrime
1. The Frequency of Cyber Attacks
According to US Cybersecurity magazine, cyber-attacks occur roughly every 39 seconds, with 1 in 3 Americans targeted by cyber-attacks every year. It's incredibly likely that a cybercriminal will target you or someone you know at one point or another, and without the proper protection, you're likely to have your data stolen. Moreover, in the post-COVID world, the frequency of cybercrimes has gone up almost 300%. While this can be explained away as the result of a transitional period as companies and individuals moved their business online, it may be a trend moving into the future as well, as it's unlikely things will revert back to a pre-COVID "normal" any time soon.
2. The Damage They've Done to Major Industries
While it can take both small businesses and large companies up to 6 months to detect a data breach, data breaches can cost businesses anywhere from 2 to 5 million dollars, depending on the size of the company and the severity of the breach. According to US Cybersecurity magazine, one of the most significant industries hit by cybercriminals is actually the healthcare industry, with a little over 9 million patient records being exposed in 2020 and millions of dollars stolen to boot. With cybercrime on the rise, this is likely only the beginning; cybercriminals will continue to take more and more from unexpecting companies and individuals, heightening the potential for cybercrime to be the most lucrative and most prevalent form of illegal activity.
3. The Continuous Rise of Technology
The world is only going to get more connected to technology; it was the direction everything was headed in before the pandemic, and the pandemic accelerated that process, eliminating any chance of returning to a pre-COVID normal. As technology continues to evolve in response to changing customer needs, cybercriminals will also grow and develop new means of stealing data, consumer funds, and anything else they might be able to turn a profit on. Until technology hits an unlikely zenith, this trend will likely continue long past the '20s, and cybersecurity professionals will be needed more and more as the years go on.
Professionals Wanted: Apply Here
If any of this has piqued your interest, and if you want to be a part of stopping various forms of cybercrime, you may want to consider attending a concentrated training program in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity experts are always in need, with a low turnover rate, an abundance of available positions, and competitive pay rates. Bootcamps will provide you with all the skills you need to jump right into a cybersecurity job without the time or financial costs of most 2 and 4-year college programs.
Answer the Call - Become A Cybersecurity Specialist Today
The fight against cybercrime has been ongoing, but the pandemic raised the stakes significantly. Now more than ever, the cybersecurity field is a welcoming place for those looking to switch jobs. If you think a job as a cybersecurity professional might be a good fit for you, don't hesitate to join a Bootcamp and get started - you're needed now more than ever.
