Nowadays, internet security is extremely vulnerable, as we constantly hear about new data leaks and the creation of new malware.
Cybercriminals are of course the first to blame for this situation, as they are constantly finding new ways to break into systems and steal information or lock users' files in order to obtain money.
The authorities involved in combating such criminals usually do not have the means or knowledge to locate and arrest them, so most continue their activities undisturbed.
However, technology companies also bear a share of responsibility, as in order to launch a new product as quickly as possible and catch up with their competitors, they do not pay special attention to the security of their final product. And we are not just talking about small start-ups but also about companies that have conquered the world of technology.
According to technology researcher Canalys, companies spent $37 billion on cybersecurity last year, a 9% increase from the previous year. That may seem like a big number, but despite the obvious high priority organizations place on protecting data and networks, it still only represented 2% of total IT spending last year. And it’s not just about the money. Company executives don’t have a strong grasp on cybersecurity, and even techies don’t think they have the money or skills to keep data safe.
And while 10 or 20 years ago this didn't matter much, now that we're building our societies – our cities, our healthcare, transportation and energy – on technology, it does.
Finally, there is another culprit for this situation that we cannot help but mention. Us. We are all too willing to let companies collect and mechanically aggregate our data and sell it. Many of us did not react when our data was leaked or stolen. It is not clear that a data breach makes us lose our trust in a company. What often happens is a small drop in the share price when a company admits to a security breach, but the impact is rarely long-lasting. This is because there are so many breaches now.
So we are the ones who need to lay the foundation for change. First, we need to value our personal data more. We need to understand the agreements we make when we use big tech apps and services. We need to have a better understanding of what we are giving away, what they will do with our data, and how they will protect it.
If we start demanding greater security for our data, companies will start to respond and thus change will not be long in coming and there will finally be an improvement in cybersecurity.
