More Than One-in-Three Canadian Organizations Experienced a Security Breach in the Past Year

Rhea-AI Summary

CDW Canada has released its latest findings from the 2023 Penetration Testing Survey, conducted among 500 IT decision-makers in Canada, highlighting the pressing need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Notably, over one-in-three (36%) organizations reported a security breach in the past year. A significant portion (80%) stemmed from external sources, while 61% were internal breaches, underscoring the importance of employee training in security best practices.

The survey identified that ransomware attacks (34%), business email compromises (34%), and phishing attacks (33%) were the most prevalent breaches. Additionally, over half (54%) of IT professionals indicated that the shift to remote or hybrid work has exacerbated security risks.

CDW Canada emphasizes the necessity of penetration testing as a strategy to mitigate these vulnerabilities effectively.

Positive

• Increased awareness among organizations about cybersecurity needs.
• CDW Canada's position as a trusted security partner with 20 years of experience in cybersecurity.

Negative

• 36% of organizations experienced security breaches in the past year.
• Over half (54%) of IT professionals believe remote work has increased security risks.

New CDW research reveals an ever-increasing need for penetration testing and comprehensive security assessments

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, CDW Canada, a leading provider of technology solutions and services for Canadian organizations, published findings from its 2023 Penetration Testing Survey to coincide with CDW’s annual National Penetration Testing Day.

The research found that more than one-in-three (36 percent) Canadian organizations experienced a security breach in the past year. While the vast majority (80 percent) involved an external breach originating from outside an organization’s infrastructure, three-in-five (61 percent) reported an internal breach. The high frequency of internal security breaches highlights the crucial importance of implementing and maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture and ensuring employees are educated and trained on security best practices.

"With cyberattacks becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex, organizations must keep up to identify, evaluate and mitigate their exploitable vulnerabilities,” says Julius Azarcon, Vice President, Professional and Managed Services, for CDW Canada. "One of the most effective ways organizations can minimize their cybersecurity risks is through penetration testing to ensure their data remains secure. Organizations that neglect to prioritize their cybersecurity are significantly heightening their risk of exposure to successful cyberattacks that prey on security vulnerabilities.”

The survey also revealed the most common types of security breaches Canadian organizations report being victimized by in the past two years, which included ransomware attacks (34 percent), business email compromises (34 percent) and phishing attacks (33 percent). Amongst companies/organizations that have shifted to a remote or hybrid work model, more than half (54 percent) of Canadian IT professionals report that the shift has increased their organization’s security risk. Awareness, training and resources remain paramount to combatting cyberthreats.

Now in its second year, the CDW survey summarizes the sentiment of 500 Canadian IT decision-makers regarding cybersecurity and the posture of their organizations.

With 20 years of industry-leading experience, CDW specializes in helping organizations prepare for and defend against security threats. As a trusted security partner, CDW develops customized solutions and services to address the unique IT security risks of organizations and conducts penetration testing to identify and catalogue vulnerabilities in existing defence systems.

To learn more about the state of penetration testing in Canada, please visit CDW Canada’s Research Hub.

Join the conversation online by following @CDWCanada on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About CDW Canada

CDW Canada is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government, education and healthcare. CDW Canada Corp. helps customers achieve their goals by delivering integrated technology solutions and services that help customers navigate an increasingly complex IT market and maximize the return on their technology investment. Areas of focus include software, networking, unified communications, data centre and mobility solutions. CDW Canada Corp. is on the Channel Daily News’ Top 100 Solutions Provider list in Canada, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vernon Hills, Illinois-based CDW Corporation, a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.cdw.ca.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230412005228/en/

Julie Clivio

Vice President, Operations and Growth, CDW Canada

647.288.5828 | julie.clivio@cdw.ca

Source: CDW Canada

FAQ

What does the 2023 Penetration Testing Survey reveal about security breaches in Canada?

The survey found that 36% of Canadian organizations experienced a security breach in the past year.

What types of cyberattacks are most common according to the CDW survey?

The most common cyberattacks include ransomware (34%), business email compromises (34%), and phishing attacks (33%).

How has remote work affected cybersecurity according to CDW Canada?

54% of Canadian IT professionals reported that the shift to remote or hybrid work has increased their organization's security risks.

Why is penetration testing important for organizations?

Penetration testing helps organizations identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of successful cyberattacks.

What percentage of breaches were internal according to the CDW 2023 survey?

61% of the breaches reported were internal.