KnowBe4 Report Reveals Rising Cybercrime, Emphasizes Need for Strong Human-Centric Security Training

The 2024 Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report from KnowBe4 reveals that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the human layer to gain access to digital environments. As technical defenses improve, attackers focus on exploiting human vulnerabilities, both in professional and personal settings. The report emphasizes that while organizations invest heavily in technology-based security measures, they often overlook the human factor, leaving employees vulnerable to phishing attacks. The need for comprehensive, ongoing security training is more critical than ever, especially as cyber threats grow in sophistication and AI enhances attackers’ capabilities.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded an alarming rise in cybercrime incidents in 2023, with over 880,000 complaints and financial losses surpassing $12.5 billion—a significant increase from the previous year. The report highlights the importance of equipping employees with the knowledge and habits necessary to foster a strong security culture, as cybercriminals continue to exploit human weaknesses across all sectors and geographies.