From January to December 2023, Kaspersky detected and blocked over 13 million web threats from its security solutions for businesses in Southeast Asia (SEA). Historical data from the global cybersecurity company revealed a 31% jump as compared to the numbers detected in 2020.
On a daily basis, cybercriminals launched an average of 36,552 online attacks targeting businesses in the region last year.
Web-based threats, or online threats, are a category of cybersecurity risks that may cause an undesirable event or action via the internet. Web threats are made possible by end-user vulnerabilities, web service developers/operators, or web services themselves. Regardless of intent or cause, the consequences of a web threat may damage both individuals and organizations.
Row Labels 2022 2023 indonesia 6,418,588 4,968,729 malaysia 1,820,437 1,539,905 philippines 492,567 1,691,167 singapore 889,093 1,653,726 thailand 1,232,311 1,531,430 viet nam 2,485,168 1,956,618 Grand Total 13,338,164 13,341,575
Threat actors targeted businesses in the Philippines 243% more times in 2023 compared to 2022 (from 492,567 to 1,691,167). Singaporean firms also faced 86% more web threats last year (from 889,093 to 1,653,726) while Thai companies had a lesser but still significant jump of 24% (from 1,232,311 to 1,531,430) when it comes to threats related to the internet.
These numbers were calculated based on Kaspersky’s B2B products installed in businesses of various sizes.
“Economic experts predict positive economic growth for the key countries in Southeast Asia this year. Parallel to this is the continuous growth in these markets’ strong digital economies, which open opportunities for both individuals and companies. As most governments in the region build and boost their policies to foster their digital economy and infrastructure, it is urgent for local businesses to prioritize strengthening their cyber defenses against threats lurking online which can hamper their efforts to harness the benefits digitalization brings about,” says Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.
A recent study revealed that companies in SEA are aware of the relationship between digitalization and increased cyberthreats. More than a quarter (28%) of the businesses surveyed confirmed their organizations are more exposed to cyberattacks because of their consistent digitalization efforts.
The external pressure to disclose cyber incidents and comply with cybersecurity practices is also higher now for 16% of the respondents surveyed.
“2024 should be the year for businesses here to take their cybersecurity one-step forward. Long gone are the days when a basic firewall and endpoint solutions are enough. With the massive data all types of organizations are handling now and the immense reputational and financial damages an attack can result in, an adaptive and intelligence-led security solutions and services portfolio is the need of the hour,” adds Yeo.
