Businesses in Southeast Asia (SEA) are dealing with an increasing number of web-based threats as the region embraces digital transformation. Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, reported blocking over 26 million web threats in the first half of 2024 through its security solutions, averaging 146,944 threats per day.
The Philippines recorded 846,837 but Malaysia experienced the highest number of web-based attacks in the region, with 19.6 million incidents during the period. Indonesia followed with 3.2 million, while Vietnam and Thailand reported 1.4 million and 1 million threats, respectively. Attacks. Following the Philippines is Singapore, which had 574,292.
Web-based threats refer to cyber risks originating from the internet, exploiting vulnerabilities in systems or users. These threats can disrupt businesses, damage critical infrastructure, and lead to financial losses.
“As businesses and governments in the region continue to embrace digitalization to drive economic growth, their increased reliance on digital platforms broadens their attack surface,” Yeo Siang Tiong, general manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, said in a media release. “This leads to more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in unprotected systems, which can cause disruptions to supply chains, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure such as healthcare and energy.”
While governments in the region have implemented stricter regulations to enforce accountability, Yeo emphasized the importance of proactive measures.
“Cybercriminals in the region are becoming more sophisticated, utilising AI-driven attacks and other tools and techniques,” Siang Tiong said. Businesses must invest in robust cybersecurity tools like endpoint protection, firewalls, and real-time event monitoring. Regular security assessments and audits must be conducted to identify weaknesses and address vulnerabilities.”
Local businesses are urged to strengthen their cybersecurity measures to ensure resilience against these evolving threats.