Cybercrime attacks rise 60% last year

Despite a significant decline last December, last year as a whole saw a near 60% increase in cybercrime attacks on businesses, with global losses estimated at $1.5bn (€1.12bn).

Most of these attacks were via phishing scams — criminals and hackers acquiring sensitive online information by masquerading as trustworthy entities. Companies in the US, Britain, Germany, India, and Brazil accounted for over 50% of attacks. But it is truly a global problem and Ireland is not immune.

A survey conducted last year by Deloitte, in conjunction with global information management giant EMC, found that one-third of Irish companies had, in the preceding year, experienced cybercrime breaches. The average cost per attack amounted to around €40,000. These costs are generally rising all the time.