According to a recent study by Kiteworks, New York is the second most at-risk state for cyberattacks, with a risk score of 7.84 out of 10. As the fourth most populous state, with 19,571,216 residents, New York has seen a significant increase in cybercrime. From 2020 to 2023, the state reported 27,205 annual victims, a 14.4% increase over four years. Financial losses from these cyberattacks have also surged by 75.7%, totaling $440,673,485.
This rise in cybercrime incidents and financial losses highlights the vulnerability of New York’s businesses to cyber threats. The state’s large population and high concentration of businesses make it a prime target for cybercriminals. Compared to Massachusetts, which reported 8,749 victims over the same period, New York’s figures are alarmingly high.
Patrick Spencer, spokesperson at Kiteworks, commented on the results: “Our study reveals a concerning trend: cyberattacks are on the rise, both in frequency and financial impact. As cyber threats continue to evolve, proactive investment in advanced security technologies and employee training can significantly enhance a company’s resilience against cybercrime, as well as a greater focus on data security.
Businesses should adopt a content-defined zero trust approach to secure their sensitive communications. By consolidating email, file sharing, SFTP, managed file transfer, and web forms into a private content network protected by a hardened virtual appliance, organizations can ensure that sensitive content is only accessed by authorized users. This approach provides advanced security, comprehensive governance, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the protection of sensitive content.”
Please find the full dataset, including the data for all states here.
For a deeper understanding of the risks and recommended measures, visit Kiteworks.