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- Understanding Targeted Attacks: The Impact of Targeted Attacks
In the first part of our ongoing series about Targeted Attacks, we discussed what a targeted attack is, what constitutes as one, and how different it is from other types of cyber-attacks. In this latest entry, we’ll be talking about how a targeted attack could impact not only the targeted organization, but also its customers, like how these incidents could put either side in dire financial straits or a severe public-relations fiasco. It could also cause mass unemployment, compromise national security, or stiff penalties for those responsible.
How does a targeted attack affect the target?
The impact of a targeted attack varies, depending on the target and the intent of the attacker. Based on the bigger attacks we’ve seen and the huge, all-encompassing effects they have, here's a list of the most common effects a targeted attack may have on a company in general:
How can a targeted attack affect the target's customers?
In cases where the targeted attack results in a data breach and the targeted company has customers, those that the targeted company or organization supports can be at risk for the following:
What are the unseen implications of a successful targeted attack?
For the affected company, it will mean more costs to secure their system against possible future attacks, besides having to spend more to regain their clients' trust and rebuild their brands' reputation. This could involve a complete overhaul of their system, their network infrastructure, as well as some public layoffs of those deemed to have been responsible.
The affected organization will also have to cooperate with law enforcement and security vendors in order to find the parties responsible – and all of this can result in more losses for the company. Combine that with the disruption of operations that the targeted attack will cause before, during and after the fact and it can be considered as a ‘killing’ blow to a company—especially one that's reliant on customer revenue.
For the customers, it involves an increasing distrust in big companies and/or government organizations, as well as attack groups becoming bolder with every success. The employees of the targeted company will also find themselves mistrusting their employers, or being publicly shamed/interrogated by irate customers because of their employer’s inability to secure their data.
As we can see, the impact of targeted attacks is far-reaching, and doesn’t just involve the target company. This makes it doubly important for organizations and high-risk targets to ensure their protection. Solutions like the Trend Micro Deep Discovery threat protection platform enable companies to detect, analyze, and respond to modern threats such as sophisticated malware, targeted attacks and APTs.
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