Threats to Individuals & Businesses (HL IB Geography)

Technology Threats

Hacking

• Cyberattacks or hacking are a major threat to all internet users

• They can range from small-scale disruptions to large-scale disasters

• They can have a significant impact on individuals, businesses, and governments

  • A data breach of French health insurance companies in January 2024 affected 33 million French citizens, or nearly half the country’s population

  • The attack compromised sensitive dates of birth, social security, and marital status information, but not medical history

  • In 2023, Russian hackers attacked 65 Australian government departments and agencies and stole 2.5 million documents in Australia’s largest government cyberattack

• Cybercrime is on the rise, with over 2.3 million cyber attacks being reported in the UK in 2023 alone, with the average attack costing businesses £3,230 each

• According to IT Governance, in December 2023 alone, 2 241 916 765 records were breached, with more than one in four incidents being ransomware attacks

• The 3 most breached sectors are:

  • Finance

  • Manufacturing

  • Healthcare

Identity theft

• One of the most rapidly expanding crimes is identity theft

• Cybercrime is different from other crimes as the victim is usually located away from the offender

• Identity theft incidents have increased with the rise of computers, many of which have inadequate security

• Also, some criminals find identity theft more attractive due to the low prosecution rates and lenient sentencing

• A study of identity theft in the USA found that certain populations were at greater risk than others and included:

  • University students

  • Military personnel

  • The elderly

  • Medical patients

  • Identity theft of the deceased

• Stolen identity can be used for unauthorised purchases, loan applications, or even tax fraud, leading to financial consequence for the victim

• People can be wrongfully accused of crimes committed under their stolen identity

• Businesses face financial losses and it is time consuming to sort claims and rectify identity theft issues

Personal freedoms

• In 2013, the UN published a report that linked state surveillance and freedom of expression

• It was concerned over the threat to the right to privacy

• Modern surveillance technologies allow states to intrude into personal and private lives

• Unwarranted surveillance infringes on individual rights to lead a private life and is considered an invasion of privacy

• Being constantly watched restricts freedom of speech and deters individuals from expressing their views, opinions, or concerns openly

• Data collected through state surveillance can be misused for political gains, or even sold to third parties

• Excessive workplace surveillance creates an atmosphere of distrust, leading to reduced employee morale and productivity

• Businesses face legal and regulatory challenges by violating privacy laws

Threats to Global Supply Chains

• Supply chains stretch across continents, making them susceptible to a variety of risks

• These risks can be

  • Political

  • Economic

  • Physical

The Risk and Impact to Supply Chains