Sources for Reliable Cybersecurity Data & Trends

Doing the best work possible in cybersecurity requires a lot of resources. Education, skilled team members, software, constant connectivity, equipment space, hardware; you name it, there are a range of requirements to be filled to stay abreast of the changes. It’s the nature of the industry: an organization’s cybersecurity resource needs will continue to evolve as criminals grow more advanced.

It may seem like a fairly simple problem/solution equation:

• No one on the team has CompTIA A+ certification? Sign them up for an online course.
• A shiny new app is available for the sales team, but there aren’t enough IT team members to check out all the security risks? Hire someone new.

For every need, there’s a resource to be defined and acquired.

And, no matter what resource is needed, it’s likely to cost money – money that may not be in the IT budget. Whether they ask for that extra funding is made to the CFO, the CTO or someone else in the executive ranks, you’ll have to prove both value and necessity.

Stats Help Reinforce the Case for Need

Creating proof is where stats become your new best friend. But, to be taken seriously and ultimately secure funds for things like cybersecurity training, you need the most current and relevant stats available. In the ever-living resource of the internet, accessing the right stats can sometimes be a challenge if you don’t know where to look.

Fortunately, many of the companies that lead the way in cybersecurity tools, training and information make it their business to provide statistical details about the state of their specific section of the industry. From yearly update reports to regular detailed blogs, there’s plenty to be found to support your ask for funds for new hardware, extra office space or cybersecurity courses.

Best Sources for Up-to-date Cybersecurity Stats

The organization’s area of need around cybersecurity is going to drive where you look for stats. For example, if you feel the organization is lacking in people who can secure the network as well as individual devices and other electronic assets, you’ll want to either hire people who have CompTIA Network+ certification and CompTIA Security+ certification or arrange that type of training for existing team members who have the bandwidth for additional tasks.

Blackberry

To support this type of investment, Blackberry’s 2021 Threat Report is an excellent resource. The report is a look at some of the biggest cybersecurity issues in 2020 and dives into top threats, threat activity, current trends and challenges. Within this report, there is plenty to be found about network challenges and the outcomes of a lax cybersecurity protocol around networks and devices.

Nothing makes a stronger case for more resources than showing current situations and what they cost another organization. This information can be used almost like a case study in your pitch for funding that comes across as, “We don’t want our organization to go through this too.” Even a CFO will find it hard to ignore a request with that kind of backup.

Gartner

Billed as an organization that provides cybersecurity insights to organizations in more than 100 countries, Gartner is able to assist with technology solutions in a wide range of organizational departments while also delivering strategic information from webinars to diagnostic benchmarking.

Gartner’s Managed Detection and Responses (MDR) Services Market Guide looks at the growth of the managed detection industry, services offered by a range of different firms and how MDR can create positive impacts with turn-key remote solutions. IT can use this report to make the case for moving to MDR services over Managed Security Service Providers (MSSP). MDR is more expensive but can be a far better option than MSSP because of the deeper reach within an organization’s network, more forensic tools and more expansive monitoring.

Sophos

It’s a bit of a head-bender to realize that Sophos has been dealing with cybersecurity since 1985. That’s when the company’s founders started with antivirus and encryption products. Now, as a full-scale cybersecurity provider, it offers information including everything from a user community to ongoing news updates, regular product information and more. The organization also offers reports like the State of Ransomware 2021.

McAfee

Another threat report comes from McAfee, a computer security software firm that delivers a range of cybersecurity products and services. The 2021 ATR Threats Report looks at malware, top attacks and threats. It’s just one of the many resources that can help support your ask for more resources to help your organization fight cyber-attacks now and into the future.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. Ashton College assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.