The Next Big Cyber Threat That Could Endanger Everyone
By Laura J. Finn
July 9, 2019 All Industries
The nebulous term “cyber” continues to challenge, mystify and threaten U.S. companies, and there isn’t a particular set of questions that can protect yours from a breach. Depending on a company’s industry, size and specific line of business, proactive defense approaches will differ.
“There is no one set of questions to ask. My job as [chief information security officer at Cyxtera Group] is to create an atmosphere for people to tell the truth, share risks, and practice accountability,” Leo Taddeo recently told Al Dominick, CEO of DirectorCorps.
Leo Taddeo and Kiel Murray, who leads digital security practice at Crowe, shared their thoughts on risks they see in particular industries, and where the next major cyber threat is looming.
Murray and Taddeo agree that the next major cyber threat is headed to a particular area in the U.S. It isn’t healthcare. “The healthcare industry has turned the corner. That industry was neglectful for many years but now have specific initiatives and are spending some money thanks to regulations,” Taddeo shared.
It’s not banking either, thanks in part to being a highly regulated sector. Manufacturing is also seeing some transformation that creates more risk than in the past. “Manufacturing companies are moving to smart devices: they don’t want to wait for the numbers but rather, want to see data in real time,” explains Murray.
Moving more data online creates more risk, but that isn’t the riskiest area either. The next big risk on the horizon is municipal governments.
“There is enormous risk in those systems. And the challenge is leaders convincing voters to spend money. Most municipalities are like small businesses but they house sensitive information,” explains Taddeo.
This is a threat with potential widespread impact. Leaders of these non-profit groups also need to pay careful attention, ask good questions and proactively plan to defend against coming threats—threats that could endanger people in all sectors and on the most private front of all: the home front.