What is the LEAST common type of cybercrime Today

According to the (ISC)² CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), the least common type of cybercrime is espionage. Espionage involves the unauthorized acquisition of sensitive or confidential information, typically for political, military, or financial gain. It is often carried out by nation-states or organized crime groups, and can have a significant impact on individuals, organizations, and national security.

Here is a table of the most common types of cybercrime, along with their estimated costs:

Type of Cybercrime Estimated Cost
Malware $667 billion
Data breaches $1 trillion
Ransomware $11.6 billion
Phishing $12 billion
Identity theft $15 billion
Social engineering $5 billion
Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks $3 billion
Supply chain attacks $2 billion
Espionage Unknown

As you can see, espionage is the only type of cybercrime for which there is no reliable estimate of the cost. This is because espionage is often carried out in secret, and the victims may not even be aware that they have been attacked. Additionally, the true cost of espionage can be difficult to quantify, as it can include things like stolen intellectual property, lost business opportunities, and damage to national security.

Despite its relative rarity, espionage is a serious threat that should not be ignored. Organizations should take steps to protect themselves from espionage by implementing strong cybersecurity measures, such as:

  • Educating employees about the risks of espionage.
  • Implementing data loss prevention (DLP) controls to prevent sensitive information from being leaked.
  • Monitoring network activity for suspicious behavior.
  • Investigating any suspected espionage incidents promptly and thoroughly.