The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world in a lot of ways, that it seems like life stopped, at least in the normal sense.
Gone are the days when we can go out and shop for groceries without wearing any protective gear such as masks and gloves to avoid any infections. Even businesses took a huge toll on the pandemic that around 80% shut down indefinitely.
Schools stopped and everyone is suddenly asked to work at home. It sounds like a good idea knowing that this somehow slowed down the spread of the virus and flattened the curve. However, it also meant that we open ourselves to a whole new set of risks.
Telecommuting, or the process of using technology to communicate with each other without the need of physically being present to hold meetings, seminars, and work, has become a staple of today’s society.
Schools are suspended, while some continue, but with the kids at home and attending online classes instead.
Meanwhile, the entertainment industry has canceled all events, which is surely a big loss to them. However, this also meant that they need to look for other ways to keep their operations going, and that is by online streaming.
These are just some of the many examples of how life has changed since the outbreak began. And with this, one can clearly see how we have become very dependent on technology. We already are since the onset of the 21st century. But now, things have gone to a whole new level.
Everything we do runs through the internet. It might sound good because we’re making efficient use of our resources. But unfortunately, it has massive implications for cybersecurity.
Cybercriminals On the Loose
Hackers and opportunists see this as the best time for them to carry on with their criminal activities. This means more data will be stolen, more networks will be breached, and overall cybersecurity will be placed at risk, be it in a commercial or individual level.
There are now a growing number of cyberattacks since the coronavirus took the world by storm in the start of the year. Take for example the cyberattack that the U.S. Health and Human Services Department experienced.
There’s also a growing number of fake news sites such as those that are giving out false information about the latest updates on COVID-19 which has goals of just getting usernames and passwords.
There are also some scammers that pretend to raise money for relief efforts of those who are affected by the outbreak, even if donations just go directly to their own bank accounts.
We are indeed living in a time that is ideal for cyberattacks, knowing the hype, fear, and sense of urgency the outbreak has on everyone’s lives.
Telecommunication Infrastructure Overload
It isn’t just about hackers and identity thefts who are on the loose, but we’ll also see a deterioration in the telecommunications infrastructure due to the increased demand, knowing that majority of the population is now using the internet more greatly than ever before.
Mobile network operators and broadband providers would surely have their resources depleted and stressed due to the little-to-no ramp-up time.
Industries like these are unprepared and mostly incapable of pushing their resources to the maximum, much like how the public healthcare system is doing now.
The ability to communicate with other people through the internet or mobile networks has become an essential part of daily living today.
This is why it’s vital for companies to stretch out their resources, much like how hospitals are doing their best to take hold of ventilators, protective equipment, and beds.
Social distancing, or in this case, isolation, will put huge stress on the mobile network and telecommunications industry as people simply rely on their services to carry on with daily life. If this industry fails, then no doubt that the world will plunge faster to a global recession.
Being Prepared is Key to Survival
It might seem like we’re still a long way from a global economic collapse, but unknown to many, the most feared-upon recession has now started and the aforementioned facts are just some of the examples why we need to prepare for it.
Being aware of these is crucial to surviving, and in the process, thriving after this global health crisis ends. It isn’t just the government, private sectors, and organizations that should be dealing with this, but us, citizens, as well.
Be vigilant on cyber scams, resort to other means of communication other than physical and virtual, and do your best to stop the further spread of the virus by staying at home.
