As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are experiencing enormous challenges, including a surge in cyberattacks at a time when they are particularly vulnerable. Since digital systems have become even more essential during the past several months, cybercriminals have taken advantage of opportunities to prey on businesses. The effects have been tremendous and have driven companies across the globe to reexamine their cybersecurity protocols.
COVID’s Impact on Cybersecurity
In just a few short months, as the pandemic grew, the demands on digital systems immediately soared. As regions worldwide implemented shelter-in-place protocols, businesses were only partially ready for the quick changes they had to make in their workloads and priorities, while transitioning to a mostly virtual workforce.
Some of the cybersecurity issues that companies have been facing include:
- There has been an increase in phishing scams. As businesses and consumers seek information about COVID-19, cybercriminals lure them in with misleading links, potentially causing them to give out sensitive information.
- Businesses and consumers are more vulnerable to ransomware and other malware attacks. Cyber attackers are using COVID-19 to imitate brands to deceive customers and employees, resulting in viruses landing on personal and business devices. In addition, people who believe they are downloading COVID-related applications could end up actually downloading ransomware that locks down and encrypts their devices.
- Password theft is easier for cybercriminals.Because networks are being overburdened, there is more potential for them to be compromised by cybercriminals, who can determine the password of a network and gain access to important data.
- Companies are facing problems with distributed denial of service (DDoS).Secure enterprise virtual private network (VPN) servers are especially necessary now, with many employees moving to a home office and students attending classes virtually. As companies and schools work to establish their VPNs, they can open themselves up to DDoS attacks. If that happens, cybercriminals can flood their servers, forcing the servers to slow down extensively or completely crash.
- Cyber attackers are developing fake websites to host malicious coding. When people visit these sites, the code is dropped onto their devices, either causing a virus or rendering them useless.
- Overwhelmed cybersecurity teams are trying to keep up with the increase in cybercrimes. As security professionals get one problem under control, many more can arise. Businesses are left in a constant state of trying to get ahead of cybercriminals, while struggling with countless other COVID-related problems.
The Critical Role of Localization and Interpretation
Localization and interpretation service play a crucial role in helping cybersecurity companies and departments prevent cybercrimes, particularly because cultural and language barriers can stop a user from noticing a possible cyberattack. As such, ensuring that employees and customers understand potential threats is one of the best ways to thwart cyberattacks.
Through localization and translation, cybersecurity companies can ensure their products will protect clients against attacks by:
- Making certain that the user interface of all products resonates with employees and customers in their languages. As an example, symbols in one language do not mean the same in other languages. Understanding all text and symbols is critical to being able to prevent attacks.
- Offering product training in every region where you have customers. This includes providing localized, detailed instructions in user manuals, videos, and websites, so customers thoroughly understand the product.
- Working with companies to create a customized cybersecurity plan that suits all markets the business serves.
- Developing a localized website for each region, which will allow you to deliver the latest product updates and share important information with customers.
- Working with a language services provider to ensure that your cybersecurity documentation and product training is top-notch. Since cybersecurity businesses provide a critical service, especially now, it is imperative that all information is properly translated and localized.
Classified as the largest cybersecurity threat ever, COVID-19 is expected to fuel cybercrimes moving forward. With such a major and continued threat, perhaps the best defense businesses have is to arm themselves and their clients with localized information.
Summary
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are facing tremendous difficulties, including a dramatic increase in cyberattacks at a time when they are particularly vulnerable.
