By: Jason Malmquist

Cyberattacks are increasingly more sophisticated and frequent, and they are posing significant threats to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The critical infrastructure managed by ISPs makes them prime targets for cybercriminals seeking to disrupt services, steal sensitive data, or extort money through ransomware attacks. In the first six months of 2023 alone, $449.1 million was paid to ransomware groups. The bottom line is that cyberattacks are having a profound impact on business.

Unfortunately, regional telcos and ISPs often have limited resources or the requisite IT staff to combat this scourge, and cybercriminals know it, which explains why they attack the low hanging fruit easily. They choose the path of least resistance and target their victims carefully. The results are serious service outages or DDoS (Denial of Service) attacks that impact business and customers alike.

Drawing insights from CHR Solutions' white paper on cybersecurity, this article explores the measures ISPs can take to prevent cyberattacks and safeguard their networks and customer data.

The Reality of Cyber Threats

Cybersecurity threats have evolved beyond simple viruses and malware. Today, ISPs face complex and persistent threats from highly organized cybercriminal groups who operate as professional entities, often working from sophisticated offices, not basements. They possess the expertise to infiltrate even the most secure networks.

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• Cyberattack: It’s a Question of When, Not If
• Cyberattack: When It Happens to You
  

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• Holistic Cybersecurity Solutions for CSPs
• Cyberattack: The Question is When, Not If
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FIBER: From Idea to Income

CHR Solutions offers products and services that enable better broadband. We specialize in Broadband Engineering services (including outside plant and network design), Cybersecurity and Network Monitoring solutions, and Business and Billing Software solutions that address the operational and marketplace challenges faced by today’s Broadband providers. For more information visit chrsolutions.com.

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According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Report, one of the ways cybercriminals work is by relying on human error — the leading factor in breaches. Simple mistakes, such as misconfigurations, lost devices, or unintentional data exposure, can open the door for cybercriminals to exploit a company’s vulnerabilities. For instance, a well-crafted phishing email disguised as a message from a trusted colleague might lure an employee into clicking a malicious link, unknowingly granting hackers access to the company's network. Other phishing attacks might involve fake alerts about account suspensions, prompting victims to enter their credentials on a fraudulent site. This highlights the importance of not only maintaining technological defenses but also providing frequent and comprehensive training and awareness programs for employees.

Common Cyber Threats Facing ISPs

Ransomware Attacks: These attacks involve cybercriminals infiltrating a network, encrypting data, and demanding a ransom for its release. What may start as seemingly harmless actions, such as a compromised email account with notifications of logins from unfamiliar locations or devices, can quickly escalate into full-scale network breaches with devastating consequences.

Data Theft: Beyond encryption, attackers also exfiltrate sensitive customer and operational data, threatening to release it unless a ransom is paid. The dual threat of encryption and data theft places immense pressure on ISPs to comply with cyber criminals' demands, though paying ransom is strongly discouraged as it funds further criminal activity and does not guarantee data recovery.

Phishing and Social Engineering: Cyber criminals often use deceptive emails and social engineering tactics (manipulative techniques used by attackers to get individuals to divulge confidential information) to gain access to networks. Employees unknowingly clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information can give attackers the foothold they need to infiltrate systems.