We live in a world that has never been so interconnected, so technologically proficient, as it is now. Thanks to the development and further advancement and implementation of technologies the world over, cybersecurity has evolved from being a niche concept to being an essential strategy for global virtual security measures, largely thanks to VPN services. Online security breaches are so common, in fact, that if you have not been affected by one directly, you are either not aware of it, or are part of a very minute group of very lucky individuals. In short, it is always a matter of time before anyone finds themselves subjected to a virtual security breach. Even with cybersecurity being what it is these days, most people are unaware of just how important it is to instil cybersecurity into their daily lives – and to maintain it as time goes on. We live in a world that we constantly incorporate more of our data into its digital stratosphere, and what that means is that, with more of our information and ourselves in the virtual landscape all the time, we must have a clearer focus on ensuring that we are as safe online as we can possibly be. This requires constant attention, but it is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity.
As the world has become more technologically efficient, we have become more invested, even reliant, on those emerging and strengthening technologies. Thanks to our rising dependence on technological empowerment, the costs of ensuring cybersecurity have never been as high as they are right now. According to IBM, for example, the average cost of a data breach is estimated at $3.86 million, with the average cost coming in at around $148 per record. Security threats come in the form of identity theft, financial fraud, and emotional and mental distress, and the threats are coming at an increasingly rapid pace all the time. It can be disheartening to realise just how at risk we are at any given time of the day and/or night, but in the end what is most important is our understanding that cybersecurity risks are always going to present themselves, until such a time comes that we can protect ourselves entirely and without fault – which, if we are being honest, is not likely to happen in the near future.
The very nature of technological advancement is that it continues to speed from elevation to elevation. Consequently, then, so too does the sheer volume of prospective cybersecurity threats. There are, of course, protective measures that individuals, businesses, and whole industries can take to increase their protection online – think use of a VPN (virtual private network), or password encryption and protective platforms, to name a few examples. These protective measures are not only great for peace of mind, but they genuinely function extremely well. If we are going to so willingly invest so much time and effort into instilling more and more of ourselves into the virtual landscape, then we must also be willing to take the time and make the effort to ensure that we are doing our very best to maintain our protection at all costs possible. While nobody is ever 100% safe from cybersecurity threats, there is much to be said about doing the legwork to ensure as much protection as you can.
The safety and security of the online landscape is more important than it has ever been before. We have never invested as much time and energy into online presence as we currently are. When the internet began to take flight, we were introduced to a whole new frontier in instantaneous global communication. Thanks to that life-changing (and world-changing) phenomenon, we have gone on to enjoy a world of opportunities and innovations that would otherwise not have been possible. Because of the ease and efficiency of the internet, the marketplace and more of our lives began to go virtual, and the result is that time and again we are faced with the realisation that nothing worth having comes easily – including virtual protection. Cybersecurity is more of an issue than it has ever been right now, because we are continuing to invest more of ourselves into its reaches. With no end in sight for this type of investment, we must be willing to be responsible for all possible outcomes – even if those outcomes are not necessarily positive. Cybersecurity is the core of everything.
In this modern era, we are more interconnected than we have ever been. Thanks to the fast rise of technological advancement and digital innovation, we are embedding more and more of our lives into the virtual landscape all the time. With this increased trust and utilisation of the virtual landscape, comes the inevitable realisation that we must also increase our efforts to ensure our cybersecurity. As fast as the technological disruption rise was, the increase of which there are cyberattacks happening is far quicker and more intense. With the average financial cost of a data breach being near $4 million, it is more important than ever that we pay incredible attention to just how crucial protecting ourselves online really is. In an ideal world, we would all be safe and secure anywhere, any time, but the reality is that we are not, and we must be willing and able to instil and maintain protective measures, or else be prepared to deal with the inevitability of a cyberattack in the future.