Responsible cybersecurity for a connected future

In 2024, cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $9.5 trillion USD. In the previously stated article, it also details that if Cybercrime were measured as a country’s GDP, then cybercrime would be the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China.

As we mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s consider the evolving role of telecom companies in safeguarding the digital world.

With connectivity at the heart of modern life, telecom providers like Distributel play a pivotal role in ensuring not just the speed and reliability of our networks, but also their security. The stakes have never been higher - the average cost of a data breach reached $4.45 million in 2023, the highest ever recorded according to a report by IBM.

Telecommunications networks are the backbone of global communication. Every day, businesses, governments, and individuals rely on these networks to exchange sensitive information. This makes them prime targets for cyber threats - from data breaches to sophisticated attacks designed to disrupt services.

Telecom providers are the first line of defense. They have the responsibility to ensure the infrastructure provided is secure and resilient against emerging threats. As an example, Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) are advanced systems that go beyond traditional packet filtering, offering intrusion prevention, deep packet inspection, and application awareness to protect telecom networks. These are the firewalls you’re familiar with taken to a whole new level of protection by learning from attempted breaches.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about defending against attacks, it’s about creating trust. Customers need to feel confident that their information and communications are protected. For example, to protect data in transit, telecom companies implement encryption protocols like Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) to secure voice, data, and multimedia transmissions across their networks. These protocols help safeguard data from potential attacks.

As an industry, we must continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies, from encryption to AI-driven threat detection, and foster a culture of security awareness, both within our organizations and with our customers.

The future of connectivity depends on more than just speed; it hinges on our ability to protect every byte of data that crosses our networks. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s reaffirm our commitment to building a safer digital world for everyone.