How can you be sure that the IT environment you use is truly secure? And what does it take to build a safer digital landscape in an increasingly uncertain world? Inrego met with Diego Lopez, Head of Cybersecurity at IT-Total, to discuss the threat landscape organizations face and practical steps companies can take to reduce their vulnerability.
Cyberattacks are rising sharply. In 2024 the number of attacks in Sweden increased by 165 percent. Hardware vendors are especially exposed. In the third quarter of the year, attacks against them rose by 191 percent compared with the same period the previous year.
“Cyberattacks have become a weapon. NATO now recognizes cyberspace as a fifth domain of warfare alongside land, sea, air and space. That says a lot about the severity of the situation. We therefore need to build resilience — as individuals, businesses and public authorities,” says Diego Lopez, Head of Cybersecurity at IT-Total.
Collaborating for safer circularity
IT-Total protects customers’ IT infrastructures by identifying and mitigating risks in complex environments. Part of that work focuses on securing the entire lifecycle of IT equipment. In this area, collaboration with Inrego plays a central role.
“Reuse is more important than ever, both from a security and a sustainability perspective. Together with Inrego we ensure hardware is handled responsibly and securely. Proper data sanitization is essential, and this is verified through certified data erasure,” Diego explains.
Connected devices bring risk
Almost everything we use daily is connected: refrigerators, speakers, locks and cameras, to name a few. Many of these devices are rarely or never updated, despite running software. The older they get, the greater the risk, Diego warns. “An old freezer with an outdated operating system can, in the worst case, act as an open door into the network.”
At home, devices often share the same network, making it harder to isolate threats. Businesses have better options to segment their infrastructure, but unprotected connected devices still commonly present risks even in corporate environments.
Cybercriminals exploit poor source criticism
Disinformation is a growing problem. Campaigns target companies, politicians, authorities and private individuals. Paid search results and AI-generated content make it easy to deceive people.
“Source criticism is more important than ever. Many trust the first search result without checking its origin. That makes us vulnerable,” Diego continues.
At the same time, phishing is on the rise. We tend to be less cautious on our phones, which makes it easier for attackers to trick us into revealing passwords and personal data. Pages that look only vaguely legitimate get clicked because we expect poorer design on a small screen.
A sudden crash landing into digital everyday life
Change has come fast. Few people have been trained in digital self-defense. Many don’t know how to update their router, change passwords, or enable two-factor authentication. Computers running outdated operating systems that no longer receive security updates are still in use. In the past, a vulnerability might not be exploited for months; today it can happen within hours. That makes old, unprotected devices especially attractive targets, Diego says.
A timely example is that Windows 10 support ends in October this year. Inrego can assist by taking in devices that are no longer supported and helping organizations migrate to Windows 11.
Build resilience before an incident occurs
Effective security requires understanding, training and the right tools. IT-Total helps companies and organizations create secure IT environments, offering everything from advanced endpoint protection and firewall-as-a-service to segmented networks and secured cloud services.
In collaboration with Inrego, they also ensure hardware is handled securely from start to finish and that reuse is managed in ways that minimize both environmental impact and risk.
“It’s about building resilience and staying one step ahead. Cyberthreats are not a future scenario. They are here and now,” Diego concludes.
If you want to learn more about securing your IT environment, contact IT-Total to reduce your vulnerabilities. For secure lifecycles of IT hardware, reach out to Inrego and they will assist you.