Member Article

British companies at risk of becoming cyber-dominoes

The ISP and hosting sectors were the most targeted industries of cyber-crime in 2014, and the trend is likely to continue in 2015. The findings from Radware, a security specialist, act as a strong warning to companies that depend on a hosting provider or ISP to ensure they do not become a ‘cyber-domino’ as a result of the security failings of their suppliers.

As part of the report, Radware publishes a ‘Ring of Fire’, which tracks cyber attacks and predicts the likelihood on attack of major industries. In the last 12 months, ISPs have moved up the risk rankings to become some of the most at-risk companies, joining the gambling sector and government at the centre of the ‘Ring of Fire’. Hosting companies have jumped from ‘low risk’ on the outside of the ring to just outside the ‘high risk’ centre.

Adrian Crawley, UK & Ireland regional director for Radware, said the news presents a stark reality for thousands of British businesses that rely heavily on ISP and hosting provision to host their website and network operations. “If companies fail to ensure their network security planning includes that of their ISP and hosting partners then there’s no doubt that 2015 will see a great number of ‘cyber-dominoes’ fall.”

The report also shows that 19% of companies admit they are under constant cyber attack, three times as many as last year, yet 52% reveal they can effectively fight an around-the-clock campaign for only a day or less. The pressure this puts companies under has prompted boardrooms to take the threat of attacks more seriously. Three quarters of respondents said it is now a hot topic in the boardroom as reputation and revenue implications are better understood.

The report has also revealed that the drivers for attacks are not clear. 70% of brands generally have no idea of the motive of the attack, though 15% say they have experienced ransom attacks, and 35% a politically motivated one, reflecting the growing enthusiasm to exploit geo-political events in the world – the conflict in the Ukraine being a notable example this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by S Crowe .