The comprehensive report relied on CyObs, the company's high-precision radar system, to scan nearly two million online assets: "We analysed what a cybercriminal organisation or a foreign state would see when preparing an attack on Austria, and then created a comprehensive compilation of the several identified vulnerabilities", said Professor Peter.
"The scan results are catastrophic. These vulnerabilities are well-known, and in many cases, the tools to exploit them are easily available on the internet. IT professionals therefore need to take proactive actions."
Professor Peter explained that despite 50,000 years of human evolution, we have only experienced ten to fifteen years of digital transformation: "As human beings, we haven't fully adapted to this new reality yet."
He also emphasised the importance of a collaborative effort involving politics, the economy, and society to tackle these issues as well as the need to enhance data security hygiene practices, especially on social media: "Ultimately, everyone needs to get involved. We need to start asking ourselves questions like: What information am I sharing, and who has access to it? Are the institutions I'm sharing data with taking proper precautions to protect it?"
The cybersecurity expert, together with Nicolas Mayencourt, founder and CEO of Dreamlab Technologies, are both advocating for shared threat intelligence and a unified solution for the European Union to address these challenges. "Ideally, sensors should be positioned at the EU borders where cables enter EU territory to detect the most severe attacks." However, this once again raises the ongoing concern of finding a balance between security and surveillance: "For years, we've wondered why no nation in Europe or globally is stepping up to ensure cyber peace and neutrality, safeguarding both citizens and becoming a desirable business hub," Professor Peter continued: "Imagine if Austria, for instance, provides such robust cybersecurity alongside an appealing tax rate; it would redefine the global playing field." Professor Peter referred to this vision as a "cyber fortress," yet recognises that realising it remains yet an aspirational vision.
Read the full article (German only): https://ooe.orf.at/stories/3226695/
Watch the report from Austrian national TV ORF here: https://tvthek.orf.at/profile/Oberoesterreich-heute/70016/Oberoesterreich-heute/14195940/IKT-Sicherheitskonferenz-in-Linz/15480074
