But is increasing usage of social networks, SuperApps, streaming services, and Generative AI tools creating complacency about the inherent cyber risks? Unfiltered data flows are widespread and vulnerable to malicious intent. This fast-shifting landscape means Asia Pacific is witnessing “a huge increase in cyberattacks compared to its global counterparts,” says the World Economic Forum.
Here are five factors to consider.
1. Rising Threat Levels
Attempted system hacks, ransomware, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on businesses are becoming more common across the Asia Pacific. Organized cybercrime groups deploy diverse tactics to breach weaknesses in IT defenses. These attacks are precisely targeted and can damage business continuity and confidence among customers and staff.
Developing an internal security risk framework helps businesses ensure they make timely investments, and have the right people, security solutions, practices, and protocols in place. These can change and evolve, and business leaders must always be alert. New threats frequently emerge that test the strength of security frameworks already in place.
2. Various Angles of Attack
A diversifying range of cyber threats makes the role of an IT security team even more complex and challenging. Cyber risks for a business range from network-scale ransomware and supply chain attacks to deepfake video calls, phishing, and email hacks targeting individual employees.
Regularly updating a risk management strategy to contain all known threats is vital. Cybercriminals carefully analyze their potential risks and rewards. Targeting a business with ransomware or a DDoS Bot is expensive, so the returns must be big. Multiple angles of attack may be adopted related to whether the goal is to steal data, intellectual property, or halt business operations so a large payment is required to restore the network service.
3. Compliance Complexities
IT teams must navigate a world of international digital security frameworks overlaid with national and regional regulatory requirements governing issues like data privacy. The EU General Data Protection Regulation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and ISO27001 provide best practices and guidelines on cybersecurity management.
Ensuring compliance with these global frameworks, and with applicable national laws, requires constant communication between IT security managers in each market. Board-level support for IT strategy development ensures that investments in new compliance and benchmarking solutions are made promptly.
4. Cyber Security Awareness Raising
Greater complexity around digital security makes it imperative to manage the expectations of business users. Regular awareness initiatives enable staff, customers, and suppliers to stay abreast of cybersecurity risk areas. They also provide information about new security tools, solutions, and protocols to protect people daily.
Cybersecurity campaigns should engage users in interactive and personable ways. This can include creating videos, games, articles, and newsletters highlighting daily tech threats and data privacy matters and encouraging participation and feedback. Open business cultures where critical issues of digital security are discussed freely make users feel comfortable to raise questions and, crucially, report potential incidents.
5. IT Security in the AI Era
The rapid evolution of Generative AI tools is altering perceptions about the business impacts of machine learning technologies. As with any new technology, there is a two-way sword. AI provides opportunities for businesses to operate in smarter, more efficient ways. Meanwhile, it enables cyber criminals to run their tools faster and make covert attacks less detectable.
AI-enhanced security tools are in an exploratory stage of development. IT teams are developing solutions to improve security monitoring and response mechanisms. This shortens incident response times, contains threats more effectively, and supports real-time communication about the potential risks with staff and business partners
