How Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Impacted Cybersecurity Professionals?

Ninety-five percent of cybersecurity professionals say they are facing additional challenges with increased attacks and new work-from-home demands during the COVID-19 crisis. A survey of global IT and security professional at large companies reports that direct attacks are up overall, with 71 percent of respondents having seen an increase.

Phishing is the primary threat, with 55 percent of respondents experiencing these kinds of attacks first hand. Thirty-two percent have seen an increase in malicious websites purporting to offer information or advice on the pandemic; 28 percent have experienced an increase in malware attacks; and 19 percent have detected an increase in ransomware attacks.

The new norm of working from home is adding its own pressures to the mix, with 61 percent of the security professionals expressing concern about the need to provide a secure home working environment sometimes literally overnight.