Cybersecurity

Email has been an essential communication channel for more than 50 years, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. Despite the proliferation of alternative messaging platforms, global email volumes continue to rise each year. Nearly 350 billion emails are sent and received every day.

An early August ransomware attack against a California-based network of healthcare organizations forced hospitals across four states to close their emergency rooms, divert patients to other facilities and take their computer systems offline. The attack on Prospect Medical Holdings is the latest in a concerning escalation of attacks on healthcare and other critical infrastructure sectors.

The division of labor has been a core principle of economic theory for more than two centuries. Organizations can increase productivity and efficiency by dividing complex jobs into smaller, more specialized tasks. A downside of this model is that it can encourage a “not-my-job” mindset. Individuals often decline to take responsibility for tasks or duties that aren’t explicitly outlined in their job descriptions.

It’s estimated that more than 90 percent of U.S. businesses use social media to build brand awareness, engage with customers, conduct market research, and increase sales. Naturally, hackers have taken notice.