This summer, online data pirates attacked Ticketmaster, a top global ticket sales company. The hackers breached a third-party database and claimed to have stolen 1.3% TB of data. They ended up putting the information up for sale on the dark web. Ticketmaster found itself scrambling to reassure customers while defending its reputation and fighting off a lawsuit.
This incident shows that a single weakness, whether in an application or storage system, can leave even the biggest conglomerates vulnerable to a data breach. That’s why organizations should always prioritize security at every stage, including development.
The best way to get ahead of these attempts is by educating yourself on what’s known as the hacker’s business model, the risks every industry faces, and what you can do to prevent breaches. It also helps to partner with a company like PreEmptive. They help organizations find tools to harden desktop and mobile applications to safeguard critical data.
What do hackers want? While many things motivate these bad actors, money is typically at the top of the list. The most concerning thing about these attacks is how often many go undetected. The defect missed in a third-party library when updating the company website can open the door to introducing malware that wreaks havoc in company systems for months before discovery.
Data is money. It’s literally more money data in the minds of cyber criminals. Because of that, these guys move relentlessly, searching endlessly for one flaw that can open the door to an information jackpot.
PreEmptive prides itself on understanding exactly how these cyberthieves think and helping companies stay ahead of the security curb. Let’s look at some of the most common tactics used to cause data breaches.
The term “hacker kit” refers to tools, hardware, and software hackers turn to when they try to breach systems, locate security holes, or perform other unauthorized activities. Some, like Flipper Zero, can clone RRD cards and NFC tags. Many bad actors use them to connect to computers or devices and mimic keystrokes that let them perform various actions.
Other components often found in hacker kits include:
Remote desktop protocol sessions let authorized users remote into and control another computer over a network. Hackers try to gain the credentials of a valid user or find a vulnerability in RDP software. If they succeed, these cyber thieves can hijack active or disconnected RDP sessions.
Businesses aren’t the only ones who use automation to improve efficiency. Hackers use automated tools like vulnerability scanners, brute force attack tools, and phishing kits to increase their chances of success. Many resort to leveraging botnets (networks of compromised devices) remotely to perform actions like launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or sending spam.
The one thing hackers value is anonymity. They use proxy servers to keep their identity secret and stop detection of their actual location by routing traffic through different servers. The servers function as an intermediary between the devices hackers use and their target. Understanding Industry Risks
Even though many industries have recovered from the effects of the pandemic, the increased digitization of business environments has increased the attack surface for hackers. Various businesses have unique concerns that require something more specialized than all-in-one security solutions. Let’s look at some of the specific cyber risks different industries face.
Many financial institutions handle sensitive personal and financial information, including social security numbers and account details. They must also comply with regulations like PCI-DSS (card security) and privacy laws like GDPR. Any compliance failures can lead to fines and legal penalties, not to mention the resulting reputation damage.
According to the International Monetary Fund’s Global Financial Stability Report, the finance sector is at an increased risk of significant financial losses. The finance sector has lost $2.5 billion to cyber attacks since 2020, and the number of threats has increased since the pandemic.
Like other industries, manufacturers have become more interconnected, using SaaS tools and IoT technology to increase supply chain efficiency. This has led to an increased number of vulnerabilities among networks, making manufacturers more prone to bad actors.
Gartner predicts that 45% of organizations will experience cyber disruption of software used to manage supply chains. In addition, companies lost an average of $82 million in 2023 because of supply chain disruptions.
Attacks on patient electronic healthcare records (EHRs) risk the release of personal health information (PHI) and other sensitive patient data. If companies fail to keep patient data safe, they could face huge penalties under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Hackers could also release ransomware that locks providers out of patient records and control of medical devices, putting patients at risk. As of October 2024, there have been 386 cyber attacks on healthcare and third-party providers.
The need for more tailored security makes in-app investment crucial for companies. CISOs often have to do more with less, with cybersecurity budgets averaging only 5.7% of IT spending. Let’s look at what companies can gain by prioritizing application security within their organizations.
Below are some helpful tips on implementing security earlier in the SDLC.
PreEmptive offers the tools companies need to help secure code and help prevent breaches. Find out why over 5,000 companies trust us requesting a free trial.