Impacts of Cyber Inecurity

Impacts of Cyber Inecurity

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Introduction

Cyber security is one of the major concerns in this fast-growing field of technology. Most people blindly use the technology mainly in communication and social media without taking any precautions to secure their personal information and data. The increased cases of hacking on individuals, companies, and governments is worrying and demands urgent actions to address the issue. More so is the rising cases of theft of personal data from customers and patients where it is then sold on online black markets for billions of dollars. The danger lies in the uncensored exposure of innocent individual’s personal data that is later used to threaten and steal from them on the online platforms. Over the years, the sensitization and public outcry over hacking and insecurity on the online platforms has raised the alarm that is helping combat the problem. However, a huge problem lies within the uncontrolled cases of hacking where millions of cyber insecurity issue are reported. The solution lies in the close collaboration between the governments and tech experts who can help crack down on the perpetrators of these evil acts. Just in 2019 alone, there were more than 2.5 million cases of attempted and successful hacks that mainly targeted customers in the online business and even air travel.

Just the past 8 months, the FBI reported that the Federal Reserve of the U.S. was a victim of almost 2500 attempted hacks. These figures show that the hackers and only criminals have no limits and will do anything to get even to the most secure systems (Kshetri, 2017). Moreover, the government has been called upon to come up with the right systems that will help safeguard the online data of its people that if exposed to the criminals can even pose a national security problem. There is thus a personal and national concern when it comes to issues of cyber security. Another outlook into the issue is the co-relations between the underlying factors that touch on tech security and the usage over its widely spreading reaches (Ekstedt et al., 2015). The internet has become a common tool that is facilitating the sharing of data between individuals, companies, and governments. Through the same avenue, online criminals and inventing ways to bypass this and acquire key personal and financial information from the people. Studies have shown that 2.7 billion dollars are stolen through cyber related hackings from customers and even governments (Kharchenko et al., 2019). These mischievous activities happen with little detection from the cyber security experts who are meant to crack down and stop these acts.

Effect of cyber insecurity on business and customer security

Cyber security has been highlighted as one of the core issues modern business have to address. Almost all businesses today operate within or under a set of full tech systems that involves communication, payments, and customer services (Soomro et al., 2016). This exposes them to the cyber security issues of this age and thus a major setback to their security and stability. One of the underlying factors in this business is the inclusive value and that posed by these cyber security problems on businesses studies shows that at least 45% of modern business receive cyber security threats or hacking attempts every year. The figures have been rising thus showing the agility and increased attempts by the online criminals to penetrate the business files (Ji et al., 2016). A case in point was like the 2015 Yahoo hacking that raised global attention over the security of customer data. Cyber insecurity is harmful to businesses and has an overall effect of cutting down customer loyalty. Cyber security is targeted to become a multi-billion-dollar industry as the risks of hacking continue to rise (Rashid et al., 2018). The exposure of online data from customers who seek online services is offering an outlet for criminals to conduct their activities.

In some extreme cases, cyber insecurity has led to loss of cash where some businesses accounts are hacked and money transferred in mysterious ways. One of the main threats that businesses face is theft of customer data (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). Most e-commerce firms across the w rod now have to spend millions of dollars in cyber security to safeguard their customer data as well as finances (Kharchenko et al., 2019). The issue adds to the burden of doing business thus increasing the pressure on the existing value and dynamics of doing business. The threat not only exists among the ecommerce firms but almost all businesses as they are now exposed to the modern technology. The theft of this vital information not only threatens the companies but the customer safety as already seen in the health records scandals around the world. The cyber criminals know that the key to inducing harm to a company is to steal customer data where they threaten to sell the personal information. To online buyers. These risky ad dangerous moves by online criminals are responsible for the rising cases of customer loyalty decline where some cases lead to lawsuits (Shapsough et al., 2015). The end game to these hackings is the increased fear by customers to trade online and the huge financial burden the business has to bear in protecting their customers and data.

Impact of cyber insecurity on government operation

Cyber insecurity has been a major issue at the governmental level with many countries reporting attempted hackings. Online criminals seek to terrorize and steal critical government information and data through its websites and this even poses national security threat (Van Schaik et al., 2017). The U.S. Federal government reports an average of 2500 hackings annually that often come from its rivals like China and Russia. The online criminals have mastered the new way to target the government by using the lower agencies and ministries that are more vulnerable and easier to hit (Tisdale, 2015). The impact of cyber insecurity is very sensitive when it is done to the government as it poses both economic and national security risk that can endanger the stability of a country. One of the key targets for online hackers is the political establishments and state of a country that are the pillars of the country’s stability (Srinivas et al., 2019). For example, the 2016 Russian hacking on the Democratic party in the U.S. shows how the situation can be dangerous when it goes unnoticed.

The impact of the cyber security at a national level is the possibility of conflict between countries that can even lead to war. China is accused of conducting ample hacks on the U.S. treasury that was almost promoting diplomatic chaos between the two giants back in 2014 (Kharchenko et al., 2019). These mischievous online business by government hackers who mainly work secretly for the government can be dangerous and harm relations between countries. Cybercrime has been noted by the UN as a major hindrance to diplomatic relations mainly between the democratic and communist countries. Iran which has been a major concern for many countries has been accused of hiring and protecting its hackers who often target the U.S. these relations that have been derailed by the increased tense atmosphere on the online platforms has stained the links between countries (Soomro et al., 2016).

Cyber security at governmental level also targets the military sector that is a prime source of a country’s security data. Hackers target this prime sector as it can provide the enemy an edge on the weapon development and defense tactics used by its enemy (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). The increased cases of hacks on the military departments of other countries has become a major concern for NATO and the UN as some of the global society bodies. The U.S. has even accused China od hacking into its weaponry departments and stealing vital and sensitive data that it uses to gain an edge over its enemy. For example, the U.S. accused China if hacking into its drone development system thus causing a major setback to the underlying and existing diplomatic ties (Shapsough et al., 2015). These acts have even led to some countries calling back their envoys and closing consulates as a retaliatory measure. The effect of cyber security at governmental level can thus be far reaching ad dangerous when not handled in a mature manner. Many governments report cases of hacking in their financial reserves that threatens their security and economic viability (Rashid et al., 2018). Moreover, there is a concern over what and how the measures can be directed to harnessed the right technology to help curb cases of hacking and cyber security.

Impact of cyber insecurity on personal privacy

Cyber security at a personal level has never been more concerning than now at a time when the rate of technology use is rising. There is a major concern over what many people expose on the internet and the safety that comes with this platform (Van Schaik et al., 2017). One of the key aspects of internet security relates to the theft of personal sensitive data that relates to the individual’s life. For example, hackers target the frequent intern users mainly on the social media. Hidden cameras in hotel rooms and spying done on the home-based cameras shows the increasing sensitivity of the mater. cyber security at a personal level has to do with the increasing cases of diverse internet use that shows that technology can be costly to people (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). The online hackers who often target social media users have identified a prime field where people pay less attention to their safety. One of the main ways technology is affecting personal security relates to the loss of vital details that can threaten one’s physical security.

Cyber security also shows that many people often lose their credit card details when they shop online or pay for ai tickets. Airports have also been hacked where vital personal data of that belong to travelers is lost and sold by hackers on the dark web (Kharchenko et al., 2019). One of the key shortages of the key concerns over the cyber security is the way personal data can be protected from online criminals who use to it to threaten and extort money. For example, online hacks on personal data is often sold to criminals who use it to carry out financial hacks on the customers. Still, the value of key aspects of online insecurity goes beyond personal information that often touches on what the individuals would use as security in various applications (Soomro et al., 2016). The special media accounts have remained the prime target used by the hackers who capitalize on the reckless intent users. Today, more than 25 million social media accounts are hacked every year that target the young people who pay less attention to their online security. One of the main ways the online hacking threatens the security of individual is like in tracing the location of the individual. Online hackers also target social media accounts for companies and businesses where they steal customer data. Still, these activities are conducted under the radar that often makes it hard for the security personnel to identify the source of the threat (Van Schaik et al., 2017). The common personal information stolen from individuals include the credit card data, photos, personal videos, or even financial records.

Cyber security evaluated the relationship between cyber security and personal safety where key aspects of online safety was addressed. One of the main ways the online security is a major issue as noted in the study is that most people have zero knowledge on their online safety (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). The scholar also identified that the value of an inclusive value that is attached to online safety has become a major concern for most people. Most of the online users have increasingly become sensitive to the information they share with their peers. The study also found that cyber security will increasingly become a sensitive issue that is tied to the technology use. Over the years, the need for a robust and strong cyber security system has shown that the world is far from attaining the right security. One of the main ways cyber security is being addressed is by bringing together viable avenues that can help address the right security issues that exist on the online platforms. Theft of online data by hackers is already posing a challenge to businesses that are having to invest millions of dollars to secure customer data (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). The study sums up that there is need to have a combined effort that can address rising threats of cyber security to ensure online safety.

Cyber security analyzed the reasons for the rising threats to cyber security mainly at busines and personal level. One of the main ways companies and individual are putting measures to protect their information is by hiring the right experts or programs that can help safeguard their privacy (Shapsough et al., 2015). The major issue here lies in the possibility of a diverse and strong security systems that can help eliminate the problem of data security. Most people who face online security threats have testified that they originate from a single source and this makes it easy to track. However, online hackers have mastered the loopholes that exist in technology use and thus capitalize on these weaknesses to harm or threaten the individuals (Van Schaik et al., 2017). The study concludes that the viability of the online security measures in a bid to upgrade cyber security has to match or be ahead of the various technological gains.

The statement implies that the safety on the online platforms needs to be evaluated regularly to ensure that any loopholes identified is addressed with the right technology. The approach will not only safeguard customer data nut also increase the leverage on the use and safety of the internet and other technologies. Moreover, the increased threats that lie within the online technology like in use of computers and smartphones needs to be addressed by creating the right barriers (Hubbard & Seiersen, 2016). The key to ensuring strong cyber security is to always stay ahead of the online criminals by identifying the key loopholes that they may sue in trying to sabotage and ruin the online business.

Conclusion

Theft of customer data mainly for online companies has come at a huge financial and loyalty cost for the firms. Victims of the cyber insecurity issues continue to rise and this puts more risk to online business. Governments are also facing acute challenges when securing the financial and military data from hackers. The problem shows how deep the issue of cyber security has gone and thus urgent solutions are needed to keep the world secure ad safeguard the integrity of the fast-developing technology. Over the years, efforts and huge amounts of money has been poured to the upgrading of cyber security systems mainly in the governmental platforms that have remained a key target by hackers. For this reason, some progress is being made that is helping bring the issue to some control and thus enabling the problem to put under control. One of the major problems realized in the past two years is the by passing of even the most secure cyber security systems that is raising concern of how best the online platforms can be secured. Studies have showed that most people are now aware of the threat that exists relating to cyber security and thus are taking some precaution to safeguard themselves from this problem. Even with the huge efforts being made, the online hackers are upping their game by coming up with high tech software and programs that spy and bypass the secure systems and this points to a very worrying issue of the preparedness of the tech companies.

References

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Hubbard, D. W., & Seiersen, R. (2016). How to measure anything in cybersecurity risk. Hoboken: Wiley.

Ji, X., Yu, H., Fan, G., & Fu, W. (2016, May). Attack-defense trees based cyber security analysis for CPSs. In 2016 17th IEEE/ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Networking and Parallel/Distributed Computing (SNPD) (pp. 693-698). IEEE.

Kharchenko, V., Dotsenko, S., Illiashenko, O., & Kamenskyi, S. (2019, June). Integrated Cyber Safety & Security Management System: Industry 4.0 Issue. In 2019 10th International Conference on Dependable Systems, Services and Technologies (DESSERT) (pp. 197-201). IEEE.

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Rashid, A., Danezis, G., Chivers, H., Lupu, E., Martin, A., Lewis, M., & Peersman, C. (2018). Scoping the cyber security body of knowledge. IEEE Security & Privacy, 16(3), 96-102.

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Van Schaik, P., Jeske, D., Onibokun, J., Coventry, L., Jansen, J., & Kusev, P. (2017). Risk perceptions of cyber-security and precautionary behaviour. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 547-559.