In today’s business environment, digitalization has transformed the way organizations operate. While it has brought major benefits, companies are also exposed to cyber threats. This is extremely important to keep under control, as cyberattacks can not only disrupt operations but also compromise sensitive data. As a result, a company’s reputation and viability may be affected. For this reason, in this article we want to highlight the most common cyberattacks, emerging trends with recommendations for each one, and the importance of cybersecurity.
Most common cyberattacks in companies
Companies, regardless of their size or industry, are constantly exposed to cyberattacks. Some of the most common include:
1.Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a company’s sensitive data and demands a ransom for its recovery. According to a Cybersecurity Ventures report, global ransomware-related costs are expected to reach $265 billion annually by 2031, with a new attack occurring every 2 seconds.
2. Advanced phishing
Phishing is a technique used to trick people into providing confidential information, such as passwords or banking details. In 2024, Kaspersky security solutions blocked approximately 893 million phishing attempts, representing a 26% increase compared to 2023. In addition, an Egress report states that 94% of organizations reported being victims of phishing attacks, and 96% of them experienced negative consequences as a result of these incidents.
3. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
DDoS attacks aim to overload servers, networks, or applications with massive amounts of malicious traffic, preventing legitimate users from accessing them and affecting business operations. According to Radware’s global threat report, in 2024 there was a 550% increase in DDoS attacks targeting web applications. This highlights the growing vulnerability of these platforms.
Cybersecurity trends: focus on solutions
Previously, we reviewed some emerging trends in the field of cybersecurity. Now, we want to focus on the most relevant ones and provide cybersecurity recommendations for each of them.
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Artificial intelligence in cybersecurity
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key tool for both attackers and defenders. On one hand, cybercriminals use AI to develop more sophisticated attacks. On the other hand, companies can leverage it to improve threat detection and response.
In fact, according to the AI Security Report 2024, AI-driven disinformation and cyberattacks represented two of the five biggest global risks for 2024.
As this technology continues to evolve, so will the associated risks. In this sense, AI is a powerful tool, but its impact on security will depend on how companies adopt advanced technologies to protect sensitive data and minimize the risk of cyberattacks.
Recommendations:
- Use AI-based tools to analyze and predict potential threats in real time.
- Implement fraud detection solutions that identify AI-generated images and videos.
- Strengthen employee training to recognize disinformation attacks and advanced phishing.
- Keep security policies up to date to adapt to new AI-driven threats.
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Growing concern about data privacy
Consumers are increasingly concerned about data privacy. According to Cisco’s 2024 data privacy study, 94% of companies state that their customers will not buy their products or services if data is not properly protected. In addition, 98% of organizations already report privacy metrics to their boards of directors, demonstrating the importance of information security in strategic decision-making.
Recommendations:
- Companies must be transparent about data handling, informing customers how their information is collected, stored, and used.
- Apply end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and restricted access to information to minimize the risk of data exposure.
- Use firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and real-time monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access and prevent incidents.
- Regularly review privacy and security processes to identify vulnerabilities and improve data protection strategies.
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Greater need to adapt to remote and hybrid work
Remote and hybrid work is on the rise. While it offers advantages, it has also opened the door to new security challenges. Companies can no longer rely solely on traditional security measures, as employees access corporate information from multiple locations and devices. According to Microsoft’s 2024 security trends report, 68% of small and medium-sized businesses consider secure data access a challenge for remote workers. It also indicates that 75% of SMEs are concerned about data loss on personal devices. This highlights the importance of ensuring secure access to business information.
Recommendations:
- Use mobile device management (MDM) tools and cloud security solutions to monitor and control access to sensitive information.
- Set up virtual private networks (VPNs), segment access based on each employee’s role, and use multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access.
- Provide employees with mobile devices and laptops that have security measures preinstalled, minimizing the risk of data exposure on personal devices.
- Train employees on cybersecurity best practices, such as creating strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and keeping security tools up to date on their devices.
Why is cybersecurity important for companies?
The number of cyberattacks is increasing. Globally, it is estimated that nine out of ten organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year. In Spain, in 2024, 59% of Spanish companies suffered ransomware attacks.
These attacks can also cause significant financial losses, damage reputation, and compromise customer trust. For example, Infobae reported that cybercrime-related costs could reach an estimated $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
Cyberattacks are a reality that companies cannot ignore. As we have seen, the costs associated with cybercrime continue to rise and can seriously affect the operations and reputation of any business. Although implementing cybersecurity recommendations for companies reduces risks, no business is completely safe when operating online.
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References:
- Cybersecurity Ventures. (2021). Ransomware report 2021. Cybersecurity Ventures. https://cybersecurityventures.com/ransomware-report-2021/
- Egress. (2024). 94% of global organizations have experienced email security incidents last year. Egress. https://www.egress.com/newsroom/94-of-global-organizations-have-experienced-email-security-incidents-last-year
- Radware. (2024). Radware global threat intelligence report. Radware. https://www.radware.com/pleaseregister.aspx/?returnurl=3ecf7bee-86d7-476f-bc44-fdc98c9d399c
- Zscaler. (2024). Public sector security insights from ThreatLabz 2024 AI report. Zscaler. https://www.zscaler.com/resources/industry-reports/public-sector-security-insights-from-threatlabz-2024-ai-report.pdf
- Cisco. (2024). Data privacy benchmark study. Cisco. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/trust-center/data-privacy-benchmark-study.html
- Microsoft. (2024). 7 cybersecurity trends and tips to help SMEs stay protected. Microsoft. https://news.microsoft.com/source/latam/noticias-de-microsoft/7-tendencias-de-ciberseguridad-y-consejos-para-que-las-pymes-se-mantengan-protegidas/
- Infobae. (2024, November 22). Historic record of cyberattacks worldwide and the loss of trillions of dollars for companies in 2025. Infobae. https://www.infobae.com/tecno/2024/11/22/record-historico-de-ciberataques-en-todo-el-mundo-y-las-perdida-de-billones-de-dolares-de-las-empresas-en-2025/
