Cybercrime Is On the Rise — How To Enhance Your Cybersecurity
Tags: cybersecurity, api, sdk, devicerecognition
Published: 2022-10-28 12:27:06

October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and that’s a good thing, because never has cybersecurity awareness been more critical. [Ransomware increased 13%](https://www.verizon.com/about/news/ransomware-threat-rises-verizon-2022-data-breach-investigations-report) year over year from 2021 to 2022, which was more than the past five years combined. But ransomware isn’t the only threat that’s bearing down on the enterprise — [phishing attacks rose 61%](https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/07/26/2485743/0/en/Phishing-Attacks-Rose-61-in-2022-New-Study-Finds.html) this year, and there are [560,000 incidents of malware](https://builtin.com/cybersecurity/types-of-cyber-attacks) detected every year.

What’s causing the steep increase in all kinds of cyber attacks? Configuration mistakes and poor cyber hygiene are common culprits, along with cloud and mobile device vulnerabilities and poor data management. The technology estate is expanding faster than ever to keep pace with trends like digital transformation, mobility, the hybrid workforce and bring your own device (BYOD), and, simply put, organizations are finding it hard to keep up. Between remote workers introducing unprotected personal devices and IoT into corporate networks, and the adoption of unsanctioned applications and services — so-called Shadow IT — it’s nearly impossible to know what devices are connected to a network at any given time, especially using manual methods to create an inventory.

Here are a few high-profile attacks that illustrate the dangers:

- Mobile app fraud: Mobile apps are easy targets for hackers, and everyone uses them. In 2020, a fraud ring used a network of devices to steal millions from online bank accounts, spoofing over [8,000 devices](https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97084-four-mobile-cybersecurity-threats-to-watch-in-2022) with a single emulator. And it’s not going away any time soon — the 2022 [Verizon Mobile Security Index](https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/mobile-security-index/?CMP=OLA_SMB_NA_11111_NA_20210406_NA_M20210052_00001) (MSI) reported a 22% year-over-year increase in major cyberattacks involving IoT or mobile devices, resulting in system downtime, and Proofpoint found a [500% increase](https://www.ercom.com/article/dramatic-increase-mobile-attacks-early-2022#:~:text=Current%20overview%20of%20mobile%20malware,across%20Europe%20and%20North%20America.) in malware attacks on smartphones.

- Microsoft Phishing campaign: In July this year, [Microsoft warned its users](https://thehackernews.com/2022/07/microsoft-warns-of-large-scale-aitm.html?m=1) of a massive phishing campaign that had targeted more than 10,000 organizations using Microsoft products since September 2021. Cybercrminals hijacked the authentication process of Office 365 using stolen credentials and session cookies, even on accounts that leveraged multi-factor authentication for security. The attack range spanned over 10,000 organizations that rely on Microsoft 365.

- IoT breaches: As remote workers connect to corporate networks, IoT devices in the home broaden the attack surface. Instead of attempting to infiltrate the advanced cybersecurity of a corporate network, hackers can sneak in via unprotected smart appliances in the home and initiate botnet attacks. Gartner reports that [40% of smart home appliances](https://www.ft.com/content/2c17ff5e-4f02-11e8-ac41-759eee1efb74) around the world are being targeted by botnets, and [84% of companies surveyed](https://safeatlast.co/blog/iot-statistics/) have reported an IoT security breach.

As a result of increasing cybersecurity attacks, organizations are sinking funds into cybersecurity products that provide visibility and insights across the expanding technology estate. That’s because the first step to protecting technology assets is knowing what assets you have, who’s using them, where they’re located, and whether they have any existing vulnerabilities that could open the door for cybercriminals.

## Data Is the Key to Robust Cybersecurity
A cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity product is data — and Lansweeper provides accurate device information that enables you to better protect your customers from increasing cybersecurity threats such as ransomware. An essential building block for a rock-solid security offering, Lansweeper can be easily embedded into any EDR to XDR, NDR, SIEM or ZTNA system, enabling you to strengthen cybersecurity offerings to your customers.

With our [Device Recognition API and SDK](https://embedtech.lansweeper.com/products/device-recognition/), Lansweeper enhances your product by quickly and accurately identifying all network-connected devices. The solution analyzes network protocols to recognize all wireless and wired devices in a customer’s home, office or enterprise network, providing granular information such as make, model and operating system.

Our Device Catalog further enriches information about all identified devices with detailed product metadata, including end-of-life, end-of-service-life, warranty and other information, along with references to documentation and support and available smart-home integrations.

See a demo of our market-leading device recognition technology, and [learn more](https://embedtech.lansweeper.com/) about how easy it is to embed Lansweeper in your products using our cloud API or multi-platform SDK.