A recent series of cyberattacks has exposed vulnerabilities in key digital platforms and national infrastructure, sparking discussions about the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.
Earlier this month, TikTok suffered a major hack that compromised several high-profile accounts, including those of Paris Hilton and CNN. According to Christian Rebernik, co-founder and co-CEO of Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, the breach underscores the need for responsible technology. “The reality is that we will continue to see large-scale cyberattacks unless organizations take all the necessary steps to ensure their technology is secure, responsible, and sustainable. If all it takes to compromise accounts is a click on a private message, you need to reevaluate your security posture,” Rebernik said.
Rebernik highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving cybersecurity, noting that AI can analyze vast amounts of data in real time to detect unusual network traffic, patterns, and unauthorized access attempts. He stressed the importance of AI-powered predictive analytics, which can predict potential security breaches by examining historical data and identifying trends. Highlighting the continued need to upskill in data science, machine learning, and cybersecurity, Rebernik noted, “Having a diverse team with different skills, backgrounds, genders, and opinions is also critical to leveraging a range of experiences and promoting more ethical AI behaviors.”
Hanna Basha, Partner at Payne Hicks Beach, provided insight into the recent TikTok hack. Basha highlighted the legal implications, stressing that people sharing private messages have legal rights to privacy, confidentiality and data. She said: “It is now almost impossible to avoid these types of attacks and so it is extremely important that individuals think carefully about what they share on social media platforms. The practical advice should be to try to limit what you share, even in direct messages, and before sending, consider whether it could be harmful or embarrassing if published.”
While the TikTok incident has made waves across the social media landscape, another major cybersecurity incident has occurred in Indonesia. A ransomware attack targeted Indonesia’s national data center, leading to widespread disruption to public services. The Indonesian government’s response has been praised for its determination to refuse to pay ransom demands, sending a strong message against capitulation to cybercriminals.
Nigel Ng, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and Japan at Tenable, praised the Indonesian government’s response, saying, “We commend the Indonesian government for its swift and decisive response to the ransomware attack. This determination underscores the commitment to cybersecurity integrity. This incident highlights the critical importance of continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection to mitigate the impact of these sophisticated attacks.”
Ng warned of the evolving threat landscape, exemplified by LockBit’s repeated involvement in high-profile attacks around the world. He stressed the need for strong collaboration between government agencies and private sector companies, saying shared expertise and coordinated efforts are essential to strengthening defenses against persistent threats.
Indonesia’s proactive steps to address the breach and gradually restore public services have been positively received, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the security and trust of its citizens. “Through shared expertise and coordinated efforts, we can strengthen our defenses against these persistent threats and build a more resilient digital infrastructure that can withstand future cyberattacks,” Ng concluded.
These incidents highlight the urgency for organizations and governments to review and strengthen their cybersecurity strategies. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the need for advanced, ethical, and inclusive technology solutions becomes increasingly crucial to protect against future cyber threats.
