Costly, dangerous and disruptive cyberattacks are still on the rise, and the recent targeting of critical infrastructure is particularly alarming. This year alone, bad actors have unleashed digital mayhem on vital facilities and organizations between February and June, including more than 150 government agencies (mostly in the U.S.), a Florida water treatment plantand the Colonial gas pipeline.
Criminal groups have found a lucrative business model in launching various cyberattacks against under-protected victims. The number of attacks against critical infrastructure has increased across many sectors, including government offices, power, gas, water treatment plants and transportation control systems. This is concerning because it represents a whole new category of threat — one that goes beyond natural, technological and adversarial failures. We are also facing dangers perpetrated by criminals prepared to put lives at risk by disrupting critical services upon which we depend.