The Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

Whether you’re an IT reseller or an end user, it is imperative that you understand the cyber threat landscape and the challenges Ingram Micro cyber security solutions are solving for. Here, you’ll receive a high-level view of the major threats to our end users’ businesses to help you understand the current threat landscape including the most prevalent types of attacks and attackers and the key factors enabling them.

What is the Threat Landscape?

The Cyber Threat Landscape includes a combination of malware, phishing, social hacking, and other emerging threats that businesses and consumers face. The landscape constantly changes based on the type of attack or vector that is most vulnerable at the moment. For example, ransomware was at the top of the list in 2017 using bitcoin as an untraceable currency to make its victims pay.

Fortunately, at Ingram Micro, we have an entire business focused on selling network security solutions. Network security consists of the policies and practices adopted to prevent and monitor unauthorized access, misuse, modification, and/or denial of a computer network and network-accessible resources. Let’s take a look at the types of threats and attacks associated with network security and why attackers use them.

What is Malware?

The term malware is a contraction of malicious software. Put simply, malware is any piece of software that was written with the intent of doing harm to data, devices or to people. Malware can be used for extortion, ransom, political gain, or used just to create chaos. There are many different types of malware and 250,000 new malicious programs are registered a day!

Why Do Attackers Release Malware?

Malware is created by a wide range of people such as vandals, swindlers, blackmailers, and other criminals. While the overwhelming majority of malicious programs are designed to make money illegally, the motives behind creating malware can range widely from pranks and activism to cyber theft, espionage, and other serious crimes.

Ransomware is currently the hottest form of malware due to its high rate of profit return and high rate of destruction. The famous WannaCry ransomware outbreak in May of 2017 cost $300 in bitcoin per machine that has been taken ransom. WannaCry infected an estimated 200,000 devices, luckily, only a small amount of victims paid the ransom, totaling about $50,000. Still, not a bad payout for only one day of work.

  • Every 10 seconds an individual is compromised
  • Every 40 seconds a business is compromised
  • 1 in 5 businesses that paid the ransom never got their files back
  • 71% of companies targeted by ransomware attacks have been infected
  • Average Ransomware payout: $2,500
  • Median cost of Ransomware attack to a business: $133,000

Ingram Micro Offers Best-in-Class Cybersecurity

When these events happen, IT resellers and end users need a trusted source to turn to for guidance and leadership. Ingram Micro is the leader in the security space and has a security practice that is the best in the business. With our market leading portfolio, dedicated resources, and our Professional & Training Services – we have the right solutions and services to help our partners to reach trusted security advisor status. And with National Cyber Security Awareness Month in full swing, there is no better time for IT resellers to discuss security solutions with their customers.

Did you know that over 11,000 U.S. solution providers purchased security technologies from us in 2016, and that it is one of the highest growing categories in the business? This provides IT resellers with a great opportunity to drive security sales, retire cloud quotas, and attach Expert Services including:  penetrations tests, wireless network assessments, and ransomware preparedness tests.

Additional resources and collateral around our award-winning security practice can be found here:

https://us-new.ingrammicro.com/c/solution-security-services-home.aspx

http://www.ingrammicroadvisor.com/security

Take advantage of National Cyber Security Awareness Month and let’s build secure businesses together.