As we reflect on cybersecurity, 2024 has proven to be a record-breaking year for cyberattacks—a trend that mirrors the relentless pace of climate change. The sophistication and scale of these breaches highlight an unsettling reality: hackers are getting better, and our defenses aren't evolving fast enough.

 

One standout example is the Salt Typhoon telecom breach, where a state-sponsored group infiltrated major phone networks like Verizon and AT&T. What was their goal? Harvesting personal data and gaining control over SIM cards. This breach was so severe that the FBI urged the public to switch to encrypted messaging apps—a stark reminder of how vulnerable traditional communication channels have become.

 

Another headline-grabbing incident was the Change Healthcare ransomware attack, which affected nearly one-third of the U.S. population. With over 150 million people’s medical and financial information compromised, the attack underscored the risks of over-centralized data systems. Despite paying a $22 million ransom, there’s no guarantee that the stolen data was deleted. Such incidents call into question whether companies of this size should even be allowed to exist without stricter oversight.

 

The Midnight Blizzard breach was yet another sobering example. Russian hackers targeted Microsoft executives' email accounts, demonstrating how social engineering and a lack of two-factor authentication remain low-hanging fruit for attackers. This incident reinforced a recurring theme: while technology continues to advance, human error and poor cybersecurity hygiene remain the weakest links.

 

These attacks reveal a troubling pattern: as we embrace connected technology—from smart cars and farm equipment to implantable medical devices—we’re creating more attack surfaces for hackers. While innovations like internet-connected pacemakers or cloud-enabled cars have potential benefits, they also introduce risks that can have life-threatening consequences.

 

So, what can we do? As consumers, we need to demand better cybersecurity standards, refuse to support companies with poor data practices, and adopt basic protections like two-factor authentication. But the responsibility doesn’t end with individuals. Governments must step in with stricter regulations, akin to Europe’s GDPR, to ensure that corporations safeguard the vast amounts of data they collect.

 

The digital world is here to stay, but unless we address these challenges head-on, we’re headed for a future where breaches like those of 2024 become the norm. It’s time for all of us—individuals, businesses, and policymakers—to take cybersecurity seriously and build a safer digital ecosystem.