In many ways, the progression of the COVID – 19 has become a sobering experience in many ways. We have now experienced first handedly the impact that a fragmented national public health system has on our safety, health and economical.
For people around the globe social isolation has become a necessity and their stark reality. While social distancing has become the approach to cause a hindrance to the rapid progression of the virus, the isolation has seen making ripple effects on other components of our lives. A vast number of people are not telecommuting or working from the confines of their homes as precautionary advice from the government. Educational institutions across the country have been instructed to keep shut until further notice and faculties have moved online. Sports and entertainment events have been canceled and restaurants & bars have decided to remain closed.
While such responses to a global pandemic are prudent, it remains a fact that our daily routines are dependent on the internet, Internet of Things and Telecommunications. However, the shift to the virtual realm is happening with no or less thought about the cybersecurity implications.
Historically, cybercriminals have used such crisis situations to increase criminal activity and scams related to financial and personal information to defraud victims. Threat actors have also resorted to malicious way to spread chaos in order to reap benefits.
We have already seen cyber-attacks being carried out against governments of different nations. Fake COVID-19 websites are being set up and scammers are sending across malicious emails, trying to phish users’ login credentials. Other scammers are running scams while pretending to raise money for the coronavirus infected population with assistance for the elderly. Given cybercriminals are opportunistic people, their malicious activities seeing a spike while the world battles the spread of the deadly virus. Coronavirus has become the perfect storm for various cyberattacks.
The ripple effects expand to the telecommunications and mobile operators as well and they have to absorb an exponential increase in demand with little or no ramp-up time. These sectors are fragmented and equally unprepared or capable across companies and regions. Internet providers and telecom companies have their resources pushed to the maximum.
Natural calamities have shown us in the past on how fragile our infrastructure can be. The ability to communicate via the internet and phones becomes essential during a crisis and the ensuing period.
Social isolation puts a heavy burden on telecommunications and mobile network infrastructure since millions of people would be working from home.
With increased dependency on cyber technologies, the government and private sectors need to have a plan while providing some direction and advice to the general public on how to follow not only appropriate anti-COVID-19 but also Cybersecurity hygiene.
New cybersecurity policies would be put in place along with new standards and procedures that would need to adhere as if they are sitting at work. User’s online behavior would need to be metered out to only essential activities that are work-related or is critical communication.
Humanity shall learn various lessons at the cost of lives and the economy. However, we shall emerge from the crisis with a better understanding of how to protect the critical infrastructures and various risks of living in cyberspace.
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