We are increasingly using the internet for both leisure and work. The massive use of new information and communication technologies in our daily lives has intensified since the start of the pandemic, when we became even more aware of the enormous benefits that digitalization can bring us. However, we do not seem to be as clear about the challenges and risks it entails.
We must not forget that the digitalization that keeps us constantly connected and expands the reach of our world also opens the door to new threats, which lurk after our data—the most valuable treasure in the information society. Data is the key to accessing our resources, the fruit of our effort and our time, the most limited asset of all and the only one that cannot be bought. It does not matter if we are an individual or a company, and it does not matter what we do.
Cybercrime is currently one of the greatest concerns on an international scale, both for countries and for the various sectors of the economy, companies, and individuals. News about attempted attacks on the IT security of companies and public bodies has become commonplace. The harm to individuals may be less well-known, but it is just as significant. In all cases, beyond their enormous financial consequences, attacks inflict damage on consumer security and trust. And although international coordination continues to improve and shielding mechanisms become more sophisticated, with the costs that this entails, attacks are also becoming bolder and more advanced.
Malware, phishing, smishing, and many other terms reflect different types of cyber threats used to steal information and money from individuals or companies, hindering their daily operations and damaging their reputation.
Cybersecurity is fundamental for banks, which use all means at their disposal to guarantee the security of their customers and face the risks that will surely appear in the future. The banking sector has proven experience in protecting the personal and financial data of its customers and continuously reviews its capacity for defense, detection, and response to cyberattacks. But all this may not be enough if we as individuals do not assume our share of responsibility when it comes to protecting our own data. And we must do so, not only because of the damage that its theft can imply for ourselves, but also because it can be used to attack others. Faced with an increasingly global and sophisticated threat, collaboration and awareness are the best shield to protect us.
More than 25% of computer attacks are carried out through malware or “malicious software,” a program or code that can damage and take operational control of our computers, IT systems, networks, tablets, and mobile phones. The ultimate intent is to steal money, although it can in fact encrypt or delete data or spy on user activity.
At the AEB, we launched an awareness campaign just this week to prevent the installation of malware on devices. Leading cybersecurity experts from banks, the National Police, the Civil Guard, and INCIBE provide advice in a video, which also includes stories based on real situations and can be viewed on our website www.aebanca.es.
Advancing the digital skills of society will allow us to make the most of the digital revolution we are experiencing. We tend to think that cyberattacks are things that happen to others, but today we can all be victims of a cyber scam. Prudence and common sense are our best allies in fighting cybercriminals, as in many cases they need us to be at our most trusting to carry out their attacks.
José Luis Martínez Campuzano, spokesperson for the Spanish Banking Association
