Across the globe, organizations are now facing on average more than 1,000 cyberattacks every week. In just the first half of the year, the number of cyberattacks increased by 42%, according to the latest Check Point report.
Currently, the education and research sector is the most frequent target, with more than 2,000 attacks per organization per week, followed by government and military institutions. Hospitals, however, are experiencing an alarming rise in attacks as well. We spoke with Tomáš Valenta, Country Leader at Check Point Slovakia, for his perspective on the evolving cyberthreat landscape.
What is the situation in Slovakia?
In terms of attack types, Slovakia mirrors global trends. Today, the manufacturing industry is the most targeted sector, averaging 215 attacks per organization per week. But the number of attacks is growing across all industries, with the situation worsening significantly in healthcare and finance. A striking 97% of malware arrives via email, and more than half of all infected attachments are PDF files.
Are Slovak companies paying enough attention to security?
The number of cyberattacks continues to rise, and attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For IT departments, cybersecurity is a top concern — and it will remain a strategic priority in the years ahead. It’s encouraging that companies are now devoting more attention to the issue, but in practice there is still a long way to go. Cybersecurity is an ongoing battle between good and bad actors — and it’s not a fight that will ever truly end.
Which sectors do you consider most advanced in securing their infrastructure and data?
In Slovakia, the financial sector is clearly the leader. Banks are furthest ahead in cybersecurity — naturally, given the nature of their business. In July, Slovakia recorded a fourfold increase in attacks against banks, and it’s very likely this trend will continue. It’s therefore essential for banks to be well-prepared for such situations and to safeguard their clients’ investments.
Which security technologies are companies most interested in?
Most organizations are still focused on detection — responding to incidents that may occur or have already occurred. The biggest investments go into perimeter protection, especially firewalls. However, in today’s cloud-driven world with hybrid work environments, the perimeter is everywhere. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to also secure endpoints and cloud services. In our view, strong prevention should be the top priority.
The cyber world is often remarkably creative. Which attacks have caught your attention personally?
It’s true — cybersecurity is a highly dynamic and diverse field. Sometimes the motivations of hackers can be quite bizarre. One case that stood out was an attack on a casino, where hackers gained access through an aquarium’s connected device. Equipment originally intended to regulate water temperature and cleanliness was exploited to steal 10 GB of data.
So yes, it’s not only aquariums to be cautious about — even certain personal gadgets can be vulnerable. Their security is rarely addressed, making them easy targets. For example, a Wi-Fi–enabled device with an endoscopic camera can be hijacked with very little effort, leaving its controls and footage in the wrong hands.
For a good illustration, check out the vishing (voice phishing) demo from the Defcon conference. As I often say: prevention is the foundation. 🙂
Do you have any favorite films about the cyber world?
From older films, I liked The Net with Sandra Bullock. For a lighter evening, Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio is always enjoyable. Tom Cruise gave a phenomenal performance in Spielberg’s legendary Minority Report — the collaboration between those two is truly outstanding. And from European cinema, I recommend Who Am I – Kein System ist sicher, a German film set in Berlin’s hacking scene.
Published: 18. September 2022
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