Nine in ten firms fall victim to cyber crime

A recent report from Kaspersky Lab revealed that 90% of firms have been a victim of cyber crime, and for larger companies, the price could be up to $500,000.

From the 5,500 firms that took part in the survey, close to half (46%) of companies lost data as a result of either an external or internal security threat.

An average cyber attack can cost enterprises up to a staggering $73,000 for any professional services, $58,000 in opportunities lost, and $420,000 in downtime. Smaller firms also lose out ,with an average attack costing a potential $38,000.

Kaspersky Lab North America managing director Chris Doggett said that firms have long been aware that cyber attacks are not without consequences, but are also aware that the costs of dealing with the aftereffects are extremely high. He added that the statistics form the report should make businesses sit up and take notice.

He went on to say:

“IT security needs to become a more common priority for organisations and it is our hope that these numbers will motivate businesses to take the necessary steps to implement effective cyber security technology and strategies to prevent having to pay an enormous cyber security bill.”

Part of that priority should include making cyber security jobs available to those trained in dealing with not only how to address attacks once they have occurred, but also in making the systems as more reluctant to attacks in the first place. Without the right personnel in place, strategies and systems cannot solve the problem alone.