--- title: Evolving cyber threats in the Covid-19 era description: The COVID-19 Pandemic has shifted business to remote work, contributing to widespread use of less protected devices and inconsistent network connections from home and other remote locations. image: https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Cybersecurity_short_banner-insight.png --- [![Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png?width=2000&height=721&name=Logo%20PQE%20Group%20-%20azzurro%20-%202024.png "Logo PQE Group - azzurro - 2024")](https://www2.pqegroup.com) - [Home](https://www2.pqegroup.com/) - [Industry](https://www2.pqegroup.com/industry/) - [Pharma & API](https://www2.pqegroup.com/pharma-api/) - [Medical Device](https://www2.pqegroup.com/medical-device/) - [Biotech](https://www2.pqegroup.com/biotech/) - [Startup](https://www2.pqegroup.com/startup/) - [Veterinary](https://www2.pqegroup.com/veterinary/) - [Services](https://www2.pqegroup.com/services/) - [Data Integrity](https://www2.pqegroup.com/data-integrity/) - [Digital Governance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/digital-governance/) - [Engineering](https://www2.pqegroup.com/engineering/) - [Commissioning, Qualification and Validation (CQV)](https://www2.pqegroup.com/commissioning-qualification-validation/) - [Quality Compliance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/quality-compliance/) - [Laboratory Excellence](https://www2.pqegroup.com/laboratory-excellence/) - [Regulatory Affairs](https://www2.pqegroup.com/regulatory-affairs/) - [Audits](https://www2.pqegroup.com/audits/) - [Training](https://www2.pqegroup.com/training/) - [Clinical Research](https://www2.pqegroup.com/clinical-research-services/) - [Pharmacovigilance](https://www2.pqegroup.com/pharmacovigilance/) - About - [About Us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/) - [ESG](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/csr/) - [Women in STEM](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/women-in-stem/) - Resources - [News & Press](https://www2.pqegroup.com/news/) - [Webinars](https://www2.pqegroup.com/webinars/) - [Blog](https://blog.pqegroup.com/) - [Careers](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/) ![Danilo Maruccia](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Danilo-Maruccia.jpg) Danilo Maruccia Partner & Principal Consultant ![Jo Pangilinan](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Jo%20Pangilinan.jpeg) Jo Pangilinan Director and Principal Advisor # **Evolving cyber threats in the Covid-19 era** [Cybersecurity](https://blog.pqegroup.com/tag/cybersecurity) The **convergence of technological platforms is creating an increasingly complex cyberthreats landscape**. The COVID-19 Pandemic has shifted business to remote work, contributing to widespread use of **less protected devices and inconsistent network connections** from home and other remote locations. **New security flaws** are constantly appearing, e.g., Log4j, the vulnerability found in December 2021, has been defined as the *most critical of the last decade*. Moreover, **malware and ransomware attacks are increasing in number and sophistication**. Ransomware as a service (RaaS) has made it easier for various threat actors, including those with little technical knowledge, to deploy ransomware against targets. This new paradigm consists of a core group of developers who set up and maintain the ransomware and payment sites and the affiliates they recruit who breach victims’ networks and encrypt devices. One infamously notable example is the LockBit 2.0 ransomware gang. The **growth in data loss and ransomware attacks** on life science companies and healthcare organizations critically exposes companies and organizations and disables medical equipment, wearable, and even implanted devices. These threat events represent a significant concern for life science companies and healthcare organizations in general, where public safety is at stake. It is *critically important* for organizations to be *proactive in preventing threats and ensuring business continuity* by having appropriate **mitigation and response strategies** through **strong digital governance, security controls, and employee training**. ![Cybersecurity_short_banner-insight](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Cybersecurity_short_banner-insight.png) ## Want to know more? PQE Group staff comprises experienced and skilled experts in multidisciplinary teams, available to **support your company achieving the highest levels of safety for your systems.** Visit our [Digital Governance services page](https://www2.pqegroup.com/digital-governance/) to know more or to contact us, and find the most suitable solution [Connect with us](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/) #### More on this topic [Cybersecurity ![Healthcare Cybersecurity Now a Regulatory Issue, Not Just an IT Problem](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/Healthcare%20Cybersecurity_Blog-1.webp)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/healthcare-cybersecurity-now-a-regulatory-issue-not-just-an-it-problem) 11 Jun 2026 ## [Healthcare Cybersecurity Now a Regulatory Issue, Not Just an IT Problem Cybersecurity is now central to patient safety and care continuity. Discover why it’s a board-level priority.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/healthcare-cybersecurity-now-a-regulatory-issue-not-just-an-it-problem) [Cybersecurity ![How NIS 2 Is Changing Our Industry’s Approach To Business Continuity & Risk Mitigation](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/EU%20Nis%202_Site%20Banner.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/how-nis-2-is-changing-our-industrys-approach-to-business-continuity-risk-mitigation) 29 Jul 2024 ## [How NIS 2 Is Changing Our Industry’s Approach To Business Continuity & Risk Mitigation Discover how NIS 2 is revolutionizing business continuity and risk mitigation in the industry. Learn about the changes, enforcement and steps.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/how-nis-2-is-changing-our-industrys-approach-to-business-continuity-risk-mitigation) [Cybersecurity ![From CrowdStrike Outage to Operational Resilience: Are You Prepared?](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/CrowdStrike%20Incident_Banner.jpg)](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/from-crowdstrike-outage-to-operational-resilience-are-you-prepared) 24 Jul 2024 ## [From CrowdStrike Outage to Operational Resilience: Are You Prepared? Learn from the recent CrowdStrike outage and enhance your operational resilience.Explore key insights on supply chain security.](https://blog.pqegroup.com/cybersecurity/from-crowdstrike-outage-to-operational-resilience-are-you-prepared) ![new PQE logo white tagline](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/new%20PQE%20logo%20white%20tagline.png) ISO 9001 Certified compliance services provider since 1998.   ![Logo ISO 9001](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20ISO%209001.png?width=125&name=Logo%20ISO%209001.png)   - Discover PQE - [Work with PQE](https://www2.pqegroup.com/careers/) - [Locations](https://www2.pqegroup.com/contact-us/#locations) - [About](https://www2.pqegroup.com/about/) - [Blog](https://blog.pqegroup.com/) - Useful Links - [Privacy Notice](https://www2.pqegroup.com/privacy-notice/) - [Cookie Policy](https://www2.pqegroup.com/cookie-policy/) - [Model of Organization](https://www2.pqegroup.com/model-of-organization/) - [Ethical Code](https://www2.pqegroup.com/ethical-code/) English CHANGE LANGUAGE Copyright **2024** | Proudly powered by **PQE Group Creative Team** [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pqe-group) [![twitter](https://blog.pqegroup.com/hubfs/twitter-w.png) Twitter](https://twitter.com/PQEGroup) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PQEGroup/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lifeatpqe) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/PQEGroup) [Xing](https://www.xing.com/pages/pqegroup)