Senior executives are prime targets for cybercriminals, with a
staggering 72% of surveyed cybersecurity professionals in the US
reporting that this group has been targeted by cyberattacks in the past
18 months. This trend, highlighted in GetApp's 2024 Executive Cybersecurity Report,
underscores the growing sophistication of attacks, including the rising
use of AI-generated deepfakes, which have been involved in 27% of the
attacks.
Despite the clear and present danger, many organizations are failing to
adapt their cybersecurity strategies to protect their top leaders. Over a
third (37%) of companies globally do not provide specialized
cybersecurity training to their senior executives, leaving a critical
gap in their defenses.
"Companies' senior executives hold crucial business data, keeping them
in the crosshairs of cybercriminals," says David Jani, senior security
analyst at GetApp. "There's a pressing need for businesses to prioritize
specialized cybersecurity training for their leadership teams."
The frequency of attacks is also escalating. 69% of US companies that
have previously had attacks report an increase in attacks over the past
three years-above the global average of 58%. This uptick coincides with
the rise in complexity of attacks. Notably, incidents involving
AI-assisted deepfakes and phishing schemes have surged, with senior
executives as primary targets.
Over half (54%) of US companies have experienced at least one identity
fraud incident affecting a senior executive over the last 18 months,
which is 13 points higher than the global average of 41%. Compared to
the global average, US senior executives witness significantly higher
risks for fraudulent financial transactions as well.
In response to these escalating threats, businesses are encouraged to
implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies that include ongoing
training, use of advanced security tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and data encryption.
Proactive measures, like regularly updating software, monitoring
network activity, and preparing for emerging threats like deepfakes, are
also vital.
Read the full report for more insights on how businesses can support their C-Suite against costly cyber attacks.