On November 12, 2024, as part of a seminar organized by Tictac Cyber Security with Atecluster Club and the Thessaloniki Innovation Zone, my colleagues and I took on the task of explaining the risks facing Greek businesses and why it is so easy for hackers to infiltrate and destroy all data while demanding ransom. The phenomenon is real, and I tried to describe the risks in the simplest terms possible. Cybersecurity should never be taken for granted, and a company’s IT administrator doesn’t always know the latest developments in the field. The IT administrator sets up the infrastructure, but an external cybersecurity firm should be the one to check for security gaps.
Future cyberattacks and the NIS2 directive show how important it is to protect the technology we use every day. For example, a “smart” home can be attacked by someone who exploits its vulnerabilities and takes control of it, as happened in an incident where someone managed to lock and unlock doors through the internet.
The NIS2 directive requires organizations and companies to regularly audit their security systems and take measures to protect their data. For example, it is critical to maintain backups of their files and verify that they can be restored in the event of an attack. Unfortunately, attackers often manage to delete even those backups if they are not properly protected.
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Additionally, with remote work becoming increasingly common, proper security for platforms like Microsoft 365 is essential to prevent ransomware attacks, where hackers “lock” data and demand payment to release it.
Finally, it’s not just the systems we need to watch out for, but the employees themselves, who may be affected by financial difficulties and help, intentionally or not, malicious attackers.
The NIS2 directive requires everyone to monitor what’s happening in their systems and stay informed about threats, so they can be better prepared. In simple terms, prevention and proper organization can go a long way in reducing risks.