In today’s increasingly connected world, cyberattacks have become a pervasive threat to organizations of all sizes and sectors. Cybercriminals continue to evolve their tactics and exploit new vulnerabilities. Businesses must stay informed about the various types of cyberattacks and implement effective defense strategies.  

In this article, we’ll do the following: 

• Explore some of the most common types of cyberattacks. 
• Provide real-world examples. 
• Offer practical recommendations for fortifying your organization’s defenses.  

Learn more about how BPM’s Cybersecurity Services can help protect your organization against evolving cyber threats.  

Five common types of cyberattacks 

By understanding these common cyberattacks and implementing strong defense strategies, your organization can better protect itself from emerging threats. Staying vigilant and regularly updating your security measures are key to staying ahead of cybercriminals. 

1. Phishing and social engineering attacks  

Phishing and social engineering attacks are among the most prevalent and effective types of cyberattacks that cybercriminals employ. Their attacks help them gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems. They exploit human psychology and manipulate victims into divulging confidential data or granting access to restricted resources.  

Example: In 2020, Twitter suffered a high-profile phishing attack that compromised the accounts of several prominent figures. Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Elon Musk are a few of the individuals who were attacked. The attackers used social engineering techniques to trick Twitter employees into granting them access to internal tools. They then hijacked the targeted accounts and promoted a cryptocurrency scam.  

 Defense recommendations:  

• Implement regular employee training and awareness programs that cover phishing, social engineering and best practices for identifying and reporting suspicious emails or requests.  
• Deploy advanced email filtering solutions that use AI and machine learning to help detect and block phishing attempts.  
• Establish multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts to help minimize the impact of compromised credentials.  
• Enforce the principle of least privilege, granting users only the permissions they need to perform their job functions.  

2. Ransomware attacks 

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. It is one of the types of cyberattacks that can cause significant financial losses, operational disruptions and reputational damage to affected organizations.   

Example: In May 2021, Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipeline operators in the United States, fell victim to a ransomware attack. The DarkSide hacker group perpetrated the attack, which forced the company to shut down its operations. As a result, there were fuel shortages and price spikes across the East Coast. Colonial Pipeline ultimately paid a ransom of $4.4 million to restore its systems.  

Defense recommendations:  

• Maintain regular backups of critical data and systems. Additionally, store them offline or on separate networks to ensure their integrity in the event of a ransomware attack.  
• Keep all software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates.  
• Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that use AI and behavioral analysis to help detect and block ransomware infections.  
• Develop and test incident response plans that include procedures for isolating infected systems, communicating with stakeholders and restoring operations.  

3. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks aim to disrupt the availability of a website, application or network. They overwhelm it with a flood of traffic from multiple sources. These attacks can cause significant downtime, financial losses and reputational damage to affected organizations.  

Example: In October 2016, Dyn, a major DNS provider, experienced a massive DDoS attack. It disrupted internet access for millions of users across North America and Europe. The attack, later attributed to the Mirai botnet, exploited vulnerabilities in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This generated a flood of malicious traffic that overwhelmed Dyn’s infrastructure.  

Defense recommendations:  

• Implement DDoS mitigation services that can detect and filter malicious traffic in real time, helping ensure the availability of critical applications and services.  
• Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to aid in identifying and remediating weaknesses in network infrastructure and applications. 
• Implement network segmentation and access controls. This should help minimize the impact of a successful DDoS attack on critical systems and data.  
• Develop relationships with upstream providers and establish communication channels for coordinating response efforts during a DDoS attack.  

4. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) 

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are highly sophisticated, targeted types of cyberattacks. Nation-states or well-funded criminal groups typically carry them out. These attacks aim to gain persistent access to a target’s network. They steal sensitive data or disrupt critical operations over an extended period.  

Example: In December 2020, it was revealed that a sophisticated APT campaign, linked to Russian intelligence services, had compromised the networks of several U.S. government agencies and private companies. The attackers exploited a vulnerability in the widely used SolarWinds Orion software to insert malicious code into software updates. This granted them backdoor access to the networks of thousands of organizations.  

Defense recommendations:  

• Implement a comprehensive security monitoring and incident response program. The program should include AI-powered tools for detecting and responding to advanced threats.  
• Conduct regular threat-hunting exercises to proactively identify and eliminate APT actors. These may have established a foothold in your network.  
• Implement strong access controls, including MFA, least privilege and zero-trust architectures. This will help minimize the impact of compromised credentials or insider threats.  
• Foster a culture of security awareness and vigilance throughout your organization, encouraging employees to report suspicious activities and prioritizing cybersecurity as a shared responsibility.  

5. Insider threats 

Insider threats refer to security risks posed by employees, contractors or other insiders. These parties have legitimate access to an organization’s systems and data. The threats from these types of cyberattacks can be intentional, such as a disgruntled employee stealing sensitive information. They can also be unintentional, such as an employee falling victim to a phishing attack.  

Example: In 2019, Capital One suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 100 million customers. A former employee of Amazon Web Services (AWS) caused the breach. The employee exploited a misconfigured firewall to access Capital One’s data stored on AWS servers. The insider then posted the stolen data on a public GitHub page, leading to the discovery of the breach.  

Defense recommendations:  

• Implement user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) solutions that use AI and machine learning to help detect and alert anomalous or suspicious insider activity. 
• Establish clear policies and procedures for granting, reviewing and revoking access to sensitive systems and data. Regularly audit user permissions to support compliance.  
• Provide regular security awareness training for employees, emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activities and adhering to security best practices.  
• Implement data loss prevention (DLP) solutions that can help detect and prevent the unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive data by insiders.  

Partnering with BPM for comprehensive cyber defense  

Defending against the evolving types of cyberattacks requires a proactive, multi-layered approach. The approach should combine advanced technologies, robust processes and skilled personnel. BPM’s team of experienced cybersecurity professionals can help your organization develop and implement a comprehensive cyber defense strategy. We tailor our services to your unique needs and risk profile.  

Our services include:

1. Comprehensive security assessments: We’ll conduct thorough evaluations of your organization’s current cybersecurity posture, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities and providing prioritized recommendations for remediation.  
2. AI-powered threat detection and response: Our specialists will help you implement and manage advanced AI-powered solutions. These solutions allow you to detect, investigate and respond to cyber threats in real time. It also helps minimize the impact of potential breaches.  
3. Incident response planning and testing: We’ll work with your team to develop and test comprehensive incident response plans. These plans help ensure your organization is prepared to effectively manage and recover from cyber incidents.  
4. Ongoing security monitoring and advisory: Our team will continuously monitor your security posture to help you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. We’ll assist in informing you of emerging threats and provide insightful guidance on adapting your defenses.  

Don’t wait until a cyberattack strikes to start strengthening your defenses. Contact BPM today to learn how we can help you defend your critical assets and reputation against the many types of cyberattacks. Our comprehensive cybersecurity services can support your organization in offloading cybersecurity tasks and building a more resilient, adaptive and secure future.