A whopping number of three million attempted cyberattacks in the Sultanate of Oman were thwarted in 2022, according to an annual cybersecurity report which revealed a significant 55 per cent increase in global threat detections and a massive 242 per cent surge in blocked malicious files in in the same year.
Out of the 12 million cyber-attack attempts, over 3 million (3,284,958) were email threats, 2.5 million (2,524,312) malicious URL victim attacks, and 20,488 URL hosts besides 4.8 million (4,895,508) malware attacks which were identified and stopped, according to the report released by Trend Micro solutions, a global player in cybersecurity.
The report titled ‘Rethinking Tactics’, which highlights concerning trends that have significant implications for the future of digital security further shed light on the fact that threat actors indiscriminately targeted both consumers and organisations across all sectors, making 2022 a challenging year for cybersecurity professionals.
Speaking to the Observer, Assad Arabi, Managing Director, Gulf and Emerging Markets at Trend Micro said that as technology continues to rapidly evolve, so does it present both opportunities and challenges for businesses.
“With the increasing complexity of the digital landscape comes a growing number of cyber threats that can compromise operations and data. To stay ahead of these risks, organisations need to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity and invest in the latest threat intelligence solutions," Arabi added.
The report further points out an increase in failed patches adding extra time and money to corporate remediation efforts and exposing organisations to unnecessary cyber risks.
Webshells were the top-detected malware of the year, surging 103 per cent on 2021 figures, while ransomware groups rebranded and diversified, with LockBit and BlackCat being the top ransomware families of 2022.
"By understanding their vulnerabilities and implementing a comprehensive, multi-layered security strategy, businesses can effectively mitigate risks and future-proof their digital infrastructure. Oman-based companies should be occupied with the tools and expertise they need to navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape and achieve their digital transformation goals in line with Oman Vision 2040,” Assad added.
The report further suggests that in order to address the current attack surface, organisations need to take a proactive approach by conducting thorough assessments and securing their digital infrastructure.
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