Cyber Security

Cyber security has now become a general issue as digital technologies play a huge role in our everyday life. This is the practice of protecting networks, systems and programs from digital attacks. It can also be referred to as the application of technologies, processes, and controls to shield networks, systems, programs, devices and data from cyber attacks.
These cyber attacks are usually geared toward accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users or interrupting normal business processes.

Types Of Cybersecurity

• Critical Infrastructure Security: is often much more vulnerable to attack than others because Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems often rely on older software. Operators of essential services in the United Kingdom are bound by the NIS Regulations (Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018).
• Application Security: involves addressing vulnerabilities resulting from insecure development processes in designing, coding, and publishing software or a website.
• Network Security: involves addressing vulnerabilities affecting your operating systems and network architecture, including hosts and servers, wireless access points and firewalls, and network protocols.
• Cloud Security: is concerned with securing data, applications, and infrastructure in the Cloud. It also enforces access controls on employees and anybody who officially has the privileges to access the information.
• Internet of Things (IOT) Security: involves securing smart devices and networks connected to the IoT. IoT devices include things that connect to the Internet without human intervention, such as lights, smart fire alarms, thermostats, and other appliances.

Importance Of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity’s importance is on the rise. The society now relies solely on technology more than ever with no sign of slowing down. Cybersecurity is very important because it protects all categories of data or information from theft and damage. This includes sensitive data, personally identifiable information, protected health information, personal information, material possession, data and governmental and industry information systems. Without a cybersecurity program, your organisation cannot defend itself
against data breach campaigns, which makes it an irresistible target for cybercriminals.

The Costs Of Cyber Security Breaches Are Rising.

Governments around the world are bringing more attention to cybercrimes. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and DPA (Data Protection Act) are great examples. The private laws force organisations to communicate data breaches, appoint a data protection officer, require user consent to process information and also anonymize data for privacy.

Cyber Attacks are Increasingly Sophisticated.

Cyber attacks still grow in sophistication, with attackers using an ever-growing type of tactics. These include social engineering, malware and ransomware. A brand new report that showed a pointy increase in cybersecurity attacks in 2022 urged organisations to consider cybersecurity and that they too are going to be vulnerable. Attacks have become more sophisticated and socially engineered making them harder to detect.

Cyber Security Is A Critical, Board-level Issue.

New regulations and reporting requirements make cybersecurity risk oversight a challenge. The board needs assurance from management that its cyber risk strategies will reduce the chance of attacks and limit financial and operational impacts. Despite 70% of board members indicating that they understand everything that they are being told by IT and security executives in their presentations, quite half (54%) also agree or strongly agree that reports are too technical.

Cyber Crime Is A Big Business.

According to a 2020 research carried out by McAfee and also the Centre for Strategic and International Studies(CSIS) called The Hidden Costs Of Cybercrime with supported data collected by Vanson Bourne, the globe economy loses quite $1 trillion (approximately £750 billion) every year. Political, ethical, and social incentives may drive attackers.
It will be a mistake to believe that you are of no interest to cyber attackers. Anything connected to the Internet needs cybersecurity. This is because most cyber attacks are automated and aim to exploit common vulnerabilities rather than specific websites or organisations.

The Salary Range Of Cyber Security Specialists In Top 20 Countries With High Cyber Crime

I will share the salary estimates based on salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees without bonus included and with Symantec ranking, I will highlight the top 20 countries which sum up to about 84.4% that face, or cause, the most cybercrime.

The countries includes;

1. United States of America

The US has the highest rate of cyber crime, over 23.6% more than any other country. The average cyber security specialist’s gross salary in the United States is $111,501(USD)/yr or an equivalent hourly rate of $54. An entry level cybersecurity specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $78,495 (USD). On the other end, a senior level cybersecurity specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an
average salary of $138,274 (USD).

2. China:

With 9% share of malicious computer activities, China was ranked second. The average cyber security specialist’s gross salary in China is ¥357,984 (CNY) or an equivalent hourly rate of ¥172 (CNY). An entry level cybersecurity specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥254,731 (CNY). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of
¥448,725 (CNY).

3. Germany:

They have a 6% share of malicious computer activities. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Germany is 88,124 €(EUR) or an equivalent hourly rate of 42 €(EUR). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 62,038 €(EUR). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 109,284 €(EUR).

4. United Kingdom:

With 5%, the UK is ranked 4th. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in the United Kingdom is £63,600 (GBP) or an equivalent hourly rate of £31 (GBP). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of £44,773 (GBP). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of £78,871 (GBP).

5. Brazil:

They rank 5th with 4% share of malicious computer activities. The average cyber security specialist’s gross salary in Brazil is R$167,764 (BRL) or an equivalent hourly rate of R$81 (BRL). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of R$119,029 (BRL). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of R$209,678 (BRL).

6. Spain:

They are 6th with 4%. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Spain is 59,467€ (EUR) or an equivalent hourly rate of 29€ (EUR). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 41,789€ (EUR). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 73,614€ (EUR).

7. Italy:

Ranked 7th with 3.3% share of malicious computer activities. The average cyber security specialist’s gross salary in Italy is 66,525€ (EUR) or an equivalent hourly rate of 32€ (EUR). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 46,792€ (EUR). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 82,427€ (EUR).

8. France:

Share of malicious computer activities in France is 3.1%. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in France is 76,571 € (EUR) or an equivalent hourly rate of 37 € (EUR). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 53,874 € (EUR). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 94,902 € (EUR).

9. Turkey:

They are ranked 9th with 3%. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Turkey is 163,298₺ (TRY) or an equivalent hourly rate of 79₺ (TRY). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 116,178₺ (TRY). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 204,656₺ (TRY).

10. Poland:

10th with 3% share of malicious activity. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Poland is 166,708zł (PLN) or an equivalent hourly rate of 80zł (PLN). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 117,393zł (PLN). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 206,796zł (PLN).

11. India:

3% share of malicious computer activities has India ranked 11th. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in India is ₹15,58,239 (INR) or an equivalent hourly rate of ₹749 (INR). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ₹11,13,902 (INR). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ₹19,62,206 (INR).

12. Russia:

The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Russian Federation is 1,590,359₽ (RUB) or an equivalent hourly rate of 765₽. An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of 1,131,656₽ (RUB). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of 1,993,482₽ (RUB).

13. Canada:

Ranked 13th in top 20 with 2.2% share of malicious computer activity. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Canada is $124,536 (CAD) or an equivalent hourly rate of $60 (CAD). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $87,671 (CAD). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $154,438 (CAD).

14. South Korea:

They rank 14th with 2.2% share of malicious computer activities in this region. The average cybersecurity specialist gross salary in South Korea is ₩70,465,948 (KRW) or an equivalent hourly rate of ₩33,878 (KRW). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ₩49,863,647 (KRW). On the other end, a senior level cybersecurity specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ₩87,837,841 (KRW).

15. Taiwan:

With 2.1%, Taiwan is ranked 15th. The average cybersecurity specialist’s gross salary in Taiwan is NT$1,868,829 (TWD) or an equivalent hourly rate of NT$898 (TWD). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of NT$1,319,094 (TWD). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of NT$2,323,665 (TWD).

16. Japan:

The share of malicious computer activities in Japan is 2.1%. The average cybersecurity specialist’s gross salary in Japan is ¥9,834,182 (JPY) or an equivalent hourly rate of ¥4,728 (JPY). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥6,912,854 (JPY). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ¥12,177,413 (JPY).

17. Mexico:

Share of malicious computer activities in this region is 2%. The average cybersecurity specialist’s gross salary in Mexico is $511,942 (MXN) or an equivalent hourly rate of $246 (MXN). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $361,862 (MXN). On the other end, a senior level cybersecurity specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $637,442 (MXN).

18. Argentina:

Share of malicious computer activity is 1.3%. The average cybersecurity specialist gross salary in Argentina is $2,517,367(ARS) per year or an equivalent hourly rate of $1,210(ARS). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $1,829,118(ARS). On the other end, a senior level cybersecurity specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $3,222,104(ARS).

19. Australia:

Share of malicious computer activity is 1.2%, making it the 19th. The average cyber security specialist gross salary in Australia without bonus included is $145,431(AUD) or an equivalent hourly rate of $70(AUD). An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of $102,548(AUD). On the other end, a senior level cybersecurity specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of $180,644(AUD).

20. Israel

With 1% share of malicious computer activities, Israel was ranked 20th in the top 20 high cyber crime countries. The average cybersecurity specialist gross salary in Israel is ₪246,796 (ILS) or an equivalent hourly rate of ₪119 (ILS) . An entry level cyber security specialist (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of ₪173,790 (ILS). On the other end, a senior level cyber security specialist (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of ₪306,141 (ILS).

Common cyber threats includes;

1. Spam And Phishing:

is the habit of sending fraudulent emails that resemble emails from reputable or trustworthy sources. The goal is to steal sensitive data like credit card numbers and login information. It’s the most common type of cyber attack. You can help protect yourself through education or a technology solution that filters malicious emails.

2. Ransomware:

could be a variety of malicious software. It’s designed to extort money by blocking access to files or the pc system until the ransom is paid. Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee that the files are recovered or the system restored.

3. Malware:

is a type of software designed to gain unauthorised access or to cause damage to a computer. Ransomware, botnet software, RATs (remote access Trojans), rootkits and bootkits, spyware, Trojans, viruses, and worms, can all be considered as malware.

4. Social Engineering:

could be a tactic that adversaries use to trick you into revealing sensitive information. they’ll solicit a monetary payment or gain access to your confidential data. Social engineering will be combined with any of the threats listed above to make you more likely to click on links, download malware, or trust a malicious source.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS):

is when cybercriminals direct a high concentration of network requests from more than one compromised IoT device at a targeted website. This causes the victim’s servers to overload, forcing them offline.

Ways to Curtail Cyber Crime

• Backup all data, system, and considerations: this permits data stored earlier to help businesses in recovering from random events.
• Enforce concrete security and keep it up to date: Choose a firewall with features that protect against malicious hackers, malware, and viruses. It enables businesses to detect and respond to threats more quickly.
• Never give out personal information to a stranger: This information can be used to commit fraud.
• Check security settings to fend off cybercrime: A cyber firewall checks your network settings to know if anyone has logged into your computer.
• Using antivirus software: Using antivirus software helps to detect any threat or malware before it infects the computer system. Never use cracked software because it may inflict serious risk of information loss or malware attack.
• When visiting unauthorised websites, keep your information secure: Using phishing websites, information can easily bypass the data
• Use virtual private networks (VPNs): VPNs enable us to hide our IP addresses.
• Restriction on access to your most valuable data: Make a folder, if possible, so that no one can see private documents.