As internet usage continues to increase, so does the amount of personal information and data which is made available online. This could be out of choice, for example somebody providing personal details to a social network in order to use their service. Or it could be unwillingly, as a victim of a cybercrime attack or data breach. Not only has cybercrime become incredibly sophisticated in recent years, but in 2020 we were online more than ever, working from home, relying on technology and digital services, and all of this amid the uncertainty and disruption of a global pandemic. The risks to individuals, companies, organizations, and governments have never been greater.
Cybercrime can take many forms. Identity fraud, data theft, ransomware attacks, copyright infringement, and phishing campaigns are just some examples. The consequences can be distressing for victims, and potentially very costly for organizations. The average cost of a data breach is around 3.86 million U.S. dollars, but financial repercussions vary a lot depending on the region, organization size, and industry. The average cost of a data breach in the healthcare sector is 7.13 million dollars.
U.S. companies and cyber crimeOf all the types of cybercrime resulting in a data breach, hacking is by far the most common. By finding and exploiting weaknesses in digital networks, devices and computer systems, hackers can spread malware or gain unauthorized access to data which they can use for other criminal activity. Some hackers are hired by companies to deliberately attack their software and systems, so they can identify vulnerabilities and take pre-emptive measures before real criminals have the chance.
IT securityWhile most internet users around the world use social media, the majority are skeptical about how their personal data is being used. Just one in five Facebook users in the U.S. trust the social network giant with their personal information. Independently from what social media companies themselves choose to do with personal data, they regularly receive requests from governments for data which can be used in official investigations, including user information, account content, and IP address logs
Facebook: user data requests from federal agencies & governmentsThe GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) was introduced in the EU in 2018 in an attempt to better regulate the handling of data and personal information by companies and organizations, and to provide greater protection for the rights and privacy of citizens. Since the regulations were introduced, there have been a number of large fines issued for violations and non-compliance, the highest so far was a 200 million euro fine received by British Airways.
The GDPR and data protection in Europe: two years laterStatista offers comprehensive data on the ever-evolving issue of cyber crime. In this section, users can find information on the most common types of cyber attacks, the biggest online data breaches, and the regions and industries most targeted by cyber intrusions worldwide.
The database contains statistics on the number of cyber incidents and compromised data records as well as a breakdown of the costs associated with cyber crime and cyber security among companies. These financial figures are further complemented with survey data and other relevant insights into the forms and frequency of cyber bullying among internet users.
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