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How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted cybersecurity measures on a global scale?

Timmothy Serrell

Well my friend, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on cybersecurity measures globally. In light of the pandemic, businesses and individuals alike have increasingly turned to digital communication platforms to stay connected. This has led to an exponential rise in the use of video conferencing, remote collaboration, and cloud computing services. As a result, cybersecurity has become more important than ever before, given the high stakes associated with the protection of sensitive information that is transmitted over the internet.

**Major Cybersecurity Risks**

The pandemic has brought about a range of cybersecurity risks that have impacted both businesses and individuals. One of the most prevalent risks is the rise of phishing scams targeting individuals and organizations. These emails typically masquerade as legitimate information from healthcare providers or government agencies offering guidance on the pandemic. Once the user clicks on the link, it can download malware onto their device.

Another major cybersecurity risk is the exploitation of remote work and virtual meetings. Since the pandemic forced people to start working from home, there has been a spike in cyberattacks targeting video conferencing tools such as Zoom. These types of attacks have ranged from "ZoOMBOMBING" – where unauthorized users join video conferences – to more serious exploitation of vulnerabilities within the software.

Lastly, the pandemic has led to an uptick in fraudulent activities such as the sale of false COVID-19 cures and related products. Such fraudulent activities have led to a significant amount of damage, not only to the public's health but also financially.

**Countermeasures Taken**

To mitigate these various cybersecurity risks, there has been an increase in cybersecurity measures taken. From a technical standpoint, there has been an increase in the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and multi-factor authentication in remote work environments. Additionally, companies have started training their staff on how to identify and report phishing scams through simulated phishing attacks.

Aside from technical solutions, there has been an increase in cyber policy measures aimed at regulating cybersecurity during the pandemic. For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings against COVID-19 related scams and the European Union (EU) has published a joint statement aimed at providing guidance for member states to collaborate on cybersecurity threats. Such measures have proven to be effective in mitigating cyber threats.

**Conclusion**

In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on cybersecurity measures on a global scale. The pandemic has brought about a range of cybersecurity risks, such as phishing scams, remote work exploitation, and fraudulent activities. However, there has also been an increase in cybersecurity measures taken, both technical and policy-related. Nonetheless, it's important to note that the risks of cybersecurity will continue to evolve, and as such, businesses and individuals alike must remain vigilant, proactive and up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity measures. Stay safe out there, my friend.