Bitdefender, a prominent player in global cybersecurity, has expanded its managed security services in the Asia Pacific region. Recently, the company unveiled GravityZone CSPM+, an advanced Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solution designed to oversee and control configurations of cloud infrastructures across platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, among others.

GravityZone CSPM+ offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities and integrates threat detection and response features alongside Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) functionalities. This enables businesses to implement Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies effortlessly and adhere to configuration best practices, particularly focusing on compliance requirements across diverse multi-cloud environments.

The complexity associated with managing public cloud environments has become a significant challenge for organizations, leading to heightened cybersecurity risks stemming from misconfigurations and unauthorized access to resources. According to a report by Gartner®, “By 2026, 60% of organizations will prioritize preventing cloud misconfiguration as a cloud security imperative, compared to 25% in 2021.”¹

In an independent global survey of 400 IT and cybersecurity professionals conducted by Bitdefender, more than 43% highlighted the extension of cybersecurity capabilities across multiple environments (on-premises, cloud, and hybrid) and the complexity of security solutions as their primary challenges.

Bitdefender – GravityZone CSPM+

Bitdefender GravityZone CSPM+ streamlines cloud infrastructure configuration evaluation, monitoring, and management. It ensures that only valid identities access resources enforces set policies, maintains regulatory compliance, and minimizes the risk of cybercriminal exploitation or misuse.

Earlier this year, Bitdefender made a significant stride by opening a new security operations centre (SOC) in Singapore. This strategic move is aimed at better serving our customers and enhancing our Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Offensive Cybersecurity Services, and other business security solutions. The SOC’s establishment significantly boosts our ability to cater to clients in the Asia Pacific region and multinational corporations operating across the area.

We had the opportunity to discuss these significant Bitdefender developments with Raphaël Peyret, VP of Product, Cloud Security, whose insights shed light on these advancements.

Top cybersecurity concerns and practices among global consumers

Bitdefender has released its 2024 Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment Report, based on an independent survey of over 7,000 consumers worldwide. The report unveils key security behaviours, practices, and concerns prevalent in consumers’ digital lifestyles.

Here are some noteworthy findings from the report:

Rising Concerns Regarding AI Security and Privacy: A majority of respondents (67%) expressed concerns about the security and privacy implications of artificial intelligence (AI). Geographic variations were observed, with respondents in Spain exhibiting the highest level of concern at 80%, contrasting sharply with Italy, where only 49% shared similar worries. The expansive use of personal data by AI algorithms has raised significant apprehensions regarding data storage, usage, and access, issues that traditional data protection laws often fail to address adequately.

Mobile Security Usage Disparity: Despite conducting sensitive transactions on their mobile devices, nearly half of the respondents (45%) admitted not using any mobile security solution. Trust in the inherent security of iOS and Android devices was cited as the primary reason (38%) for foregoing mobile security solutions, followed by a surprising 23% who were unaware of the availability of such solutions.

Incidence of Security Breaches: Approximately one in four respondents reported experiencing one or more security incidents in the past year. Australia led the tally, with 37.6% of respondents experiencing security incidents, followed by Spain (27.7%), the U.S. (26.7%), and Germany (26.3%). Younger respondents, aged 16-24, were more likely to report experiencing security incidents, reflecting a correlation between age and susceptibility to scams.

Text Messaging Scams Dominating Threat Landscape: SMS scams emerged as the most prevalent security incident encountered by respondents (45.4%), surpassing fraud attempts (44%), phishing emails (42%), data exposure (27.5%), malware infections (16.4%), and doxxing (9.2%). Millennials, particularly those aged 35 to 44, reported the highest incidence of malware infections, suggesting a propensity for downloading unofficial software or clicking on suspicious links.

Proliferation of Online Accounts: Over one-third of respondents (35.7%) managed between six and ten (or more) online accounts to support their digital activities, which encompass activities such as shopping, banking, social media, and entertainment. The U.S. led in respondents managing ten or more accounts (7%), while France had the highest proportion of respondents managing between one and two accounts (42%).

Persistent Password Management Challenges: Despite the inherent risks, many respondents continue to exhibit poor password management practices. Over one-third (37%) admitted to writing down their passwords, while 34% confessed to using the same password for multiple accounts. Although password managers offer a solution, only 23% of respondents reported using one.

Misconceptions Regarding Cybercriminal Targeting: While 76% of respondents believed they were not cybercriminal targets, this perception may lead to complacency and poor cybersecurity practices. Recognizing that cybercriminals target vulnerabilities rather than individuals directly is crucial, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for all users.

These insights underscore the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the imperative for consumers to adopt proactive measures to safeguard their digital assets and privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.