The COVID-19 pandemic has increased use of and reliance on the internet as people need to work and learn from home.
Cyberattacks have also increased worldwide during the crisis.
Governments can address cybersecurity in the post-pandemic world if they work together to adjust national frameworks, increase international cooperation and unify awareness campaigns.
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating digital transformation and heavier reliance on digital services. The increased adoption of telework and distance learning due to “social distancing” have led to a 50% increase in data traffic in some markets.
During the crisis, cyberattacks have increased worldwide, including against critical healthcare institutions, which have been the target of ransomware attacks. Private sector data reveals a 350% surge in phishing websites since the start of the pandemic. The United Kingdom and United States have reported that a growing number of cyber criminals and other malicious groups are exploiting the situation for their own personal gain, and cyber criminals have used stimulus packages as the subject of phishing hoaxes.
