A vulnerability is a software code error that hackers can use to gain direct access to an IT system. "Exposure" is an incident in which a previously detected weakness has been taken advantage of by an unauthorized actor in the network. Recent research suggests that only 2% of all exposures give attackers seamless access to critical assets, while 75% of exposure incidents along attack paths lead to "dead ends," preventing cybercriminals from reaching sensitive information.

While cyberattacks have been on the rise in recent years, one of the biggest threats to organizations’ cybersecurity is fatigue in the IT team, which leads to burnout syndrome. Gartner predicts that half of security managers will change jobs by 2025 due to industry-wide burnout. A recent study reveals that 66% of cybersecurity professionals in Europe claim to have experienced fatigue during 2022. In addition, 51% say they have worked more than four hours extra a week above their scheduled hours.

Since 2013, World Password Day has been celebrated on the first Thursday of May and aims to foster better password habits. This event reminds us that passwords are the main guardians of our digital identities and that we must implement complex passwords such as passphrases capable of protecting us. In 2022 alone, 721.5 million exposed credentials were leaked online. As a result of these leaks, account takeover attacks (ATOs) are on the rise.

The need for skilled cybersecurity personnel is having an impact on companies’ ability to stay secure. Despite the global cybersecurity workforce growing to 4.7 million in 2022, reaching record levels, according to data from the (ISC)2 2022 workforce study, there’s still a need for more than 3.4 million security professionals, an increase of 26% over 2021.

Digital transformation has reached all sectors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations have now become more dependent on technology to improve their ability to deliver and scale programs, engage with beneficiaries, and ensure an agile response to populations in need. Although this transformation delivers many benefits for NGOs, it has made them a viable and attractive target for cybercriminals.

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jay Bretzmann, research vice president of security products at IDC. We discussed various security topics trending in 2023, including open identity standards, passwordless technologies like passkeys enabled by FIDO 2.0, and identity-first zero trust security strategies. It became clear that we had an opportunity to share these insights by turning our conversations into an Analyst Connection interview.

Something as common and widely known as a software update can prevent major cyberattacks from happening, as they incorporate patches that fix system vulnerabilities. Prioritizing updates may seem a burdensome and inconvenient task for users, because computers and servers have to restart to perform installation, which interrupts users when they are working.

Firewalls have had a major influence on modern security techniques and have become the basis of corporate network security. This technology acts as the first line of defense and is a must for any company with a network infrastructure.

Cybercriminals are well versed in the tactic of phishing, which aim to trick users into revealing confidential information and gain unauthorized access to user accounts and compromise corporate networks. A new type of phishing attack has now emerged, known as MFA phishing, which manages to evade the key protection measures deployed by corporate networks.

We’re ecstatic to share that the TrustRadius Top Rated Awards has recognized WatchGuard with eight wins in this year’s program. The TrustRadius Top Rated awards consider three key criteria.

Over the past twenty years, security information and event management (SIEM) platforms have been one of the key solutions for cybersecurity management, as they help security teams centralize attack and threat detection activities. The cybersecurity industry is now shifting towards a new type of solution known as extended detection and response (XDR). As the two technologies are similar and have overlapping capabilities, many people still don’t know how they differ.

The managed service provider (MSP) industry continues to expand, and this trend is not likely to change any time soon. Even in the current economic situation, where recession is in sight, demand for MSPs remains strong, resulting in growth opportunities this year. This is backed by the fact that 58% of participants at WatchGuard's webinar Top 3 Growth Opportunities for MSPs in 2023 and Beyond believe that cybersecurity spending will be maintained going forwards.

World Password Day falls on May the 4th this year, or “May the 4th Be With You!” for those who recognize this date as the annual celebration of Star Wars Day. For the 2023 observance of the latter, fans around the world (including myself) will rejoice as Carrie Fisher (aka “Princess Leia”) is honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.