In 2023, the frequency of cyber attacks has surged, with a significant increase reported by Armis, a cybersecurity firm. Despite the alarming rise, it appears that many global enterprises are yet to fully recognize and address the escalating risks to their cyber infrastructure.
Peak Vulnerability and Industry Impact
Armis’ data indicates that July experienced the highest number of cyber attack attempts, with imaging, manufacturing, and communications sectors being the primary targets. There was a notable threefold rise in attacks on utility providers and a 165% hike in assaults on the manufacturing sector. However, businesses are often overlooking critical vulnerabilities, resulting in an increase in cyber breaches.
Expert Insights and Legacy Technology Risks
Nadir Izrael, Co-founder and CTO of Armis, highlights that the growing number of attack attempts is compounded by cybersecurity blind spots and critical vulnerabilities, creating ideal conditions for malicious actors. Izrael stresses the importance of security teams utilizing intelligence defensively to prioritize and address these vulnerabilities to reduce risks.
The report further reveals that outdated technologies, particularly pre-2012 Windows operating systems, are at a higher risk of cyber attacks, with a 77% greater likelihood than their newer counterparts. The educational services sector is particularly affected, with 18% of organizations grappling with outdated server versions nearing the end of support.
Education-related businesses are 41% more susceptible to cyber threats compared to the average vulnerability across industries, which stands at 10%. Retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and public administration also face significant risks due to antiquated operating systems. The report uncovered over 65,000 common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs), with wearable devices accounting for the highest proportion (93%) of unpatched CVEs.
