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By SecureWorld News Team
Tue | Mar 15, 2016 | 8:19 AM PDT

If you follow cybersecurity threats, then you know that the landscape is constantly changing. From the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) workplace to mobile-malware, social engineering, and everything in between, information security has transformed.

In a recent report, Trend Micro highlighted the biggest attacks of 2015, and how they are shaping the threat-landscape. Researchers found that a data breach can prove most costly, and the damage doesn't stop after the initial attack.

"The eventual penalty of having sensitive data stolen is high and some victims (identity theft and fraud victims, for instance) are left suffering for years through no fault of their own,"  Numaan Huq, Senior Threat Researcher, said.

If you need an example, look no further than the 2015 Ashley Madison hack. Many victims of the data breach are still dealing with cyber-criminals. The hackers have gone as far as to send blackmail letters demanding cash, in exchange for not revealing their affiliation with the website. Along with extortion, companies also face financial losses and lawsuits in the wake of a data-breach.

Data breaches are just the beginning of the threat landscape. Trend Micro researchers found other factors that will change the way we defend against attacks.

What's shaping the threat landscape? Beyond the Breach - Trend Micro

  • Well-developed underground economies continued innovating in terms of crimeware offerings; less-developed markets, on the other hand, exhibited cybercrime trends closely tied to their country's culture.
  • Successful attacks on smart devices became proofs of concept (PoC), potentially showing the way for more serious hacks in the future.
  • Angler became the most frequently used exploit kit, with malvertisements frequently used to lead users to deliver many zero-days.

The future is now

In order stay ahead of the ever-changing threats, it is imperative to constantly improve and change security policies. At SecureWorld Boston on March 29, 2016, Esmond Kane, Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer, Partners HealthCare, will teach a SecureWorld PLUS course on the importance of rolling with the changes and staying one step ahead of criminals.

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