In an increasingly digital world, cyberattacks are becoming a growing threat to companies of all sizes. To give an idea, according to information from Check Point Research (CPR), the number of cyberattacks in Brazil increased by 95% in the third quarter of last year. Among the most common types of invasions are ransomware, phishing, and DDoS, which target both large corporations and small to medium-sized businesses.
Given this scenario, digital security has become a strategic priority for organizations, requiring continuous investment in technology, training and threat monitoring.
For Evandro Ribeiro, Head of Information Security at Avivatec, an ecosystem of digital solutions and end-to-end technology for businesses, “most cyberattacks exploit basic vulnerabilities, such as configuration errors and weak passwords. This means that prevention is often within the reach of all companies, despite there still being a lack of awareness and good security practices in companies,” he comments.
Strategies to prevent cyberattacks include implementing robust layers of protection, ranging from firewalls and antivirus to advanced threat detection solutions based on artificial intelligence. Furthermore, employee training is essential to mitigate risks. Phishing attacks, for example, occur when cybercriminals impersonate trusted sources to deceive users and induce them to reveal sensitive data or download malicious files, exploiting human vulnerability very effectively. Without proper training, a single click on a malicious link can open the doors to a systemic invasion.
Between 2013 and 2015, Google and Facebook were victims of a fraudulent scheme that resulted in a loss of $100 million. The scammer impersonated the Quantum supplier and issued false invoices, which both companies paid without suspecting the fraud. The crime was discovered later, leading to the arrest of the responsible party, who was eventually extradited from Lithuania. After legal actions, the companies recovered $49.7 million, less than 50% of the diverted amount.
Another critical point is the quick response to incidents. Many companies do not have a structured containment and recovery plan, which can amplify the damage of an attack. "Having a well-defined response plan is essential to minimize impacts and safely resume operations. This includes updated backups, clear procedures for threat isolation, and efficient communication protocols," comments the specialist.
With the advancement of data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Law (LGPD), which establishes guidelines for the collection, storage, and use of personal information, companies need to strengthen their efforts to ensure compliance and security. Negligence in this aspect can result not only in financial losses but also in damage to reputation and loss of customer trust.
“Today, cybersecurity is no longer an option, but a necessity. Companies that do not prioritize this issue run a significant risk of suffering attacks that can compromise their operations and their credibility in the market,” concludes Evandro.
