internet security tHreAt rePOrt GOVernMent 2013

p. 132
Symantec Corporation
Internet Security Threat Report 2013 :: Volume 18
SPAM AND FRAUD ACTIVITy TRENDS
Analysis of Phishing Activity by Geography, Industry Sector, and Company Size
Background
Phishing activity trends can also reveal patterns that may be
associated with particular geographical locations or hotspots,
for example, the industry sector may also have an influence on
an organization’s risk factor, where certain industries may be
exposed to different levels of threat because of the nature of
their business.
Moreover, the size of an organization can also play a part in
determining their exposure to risk. SMBs may find themselves
the target of a spam attack because SMBs are perceived to be
softer targets because they are less likely to have the same levels
of in-depth defenses, while larger organizations are more likely
to have greater budgetary expenditure applied to their antispam
and security countermeasures.
Methodology
Figure c.16. Proportion of Email Traffic Identified as Phishing by Industry Sector, 2012
Source: Symantec.cloud
Gov/Public Sector
Finance
Education
Accom/Catering
Marketing/Media
Non-Profit
General Services
Unknown
Estate Agents
Agriculture
1 in
500
1 in
450
1 in
400
1 in
350
1 in
300
1 in
250
1 in
200
Analysis of phishing activity based on geography, industry,
and size is determined from the patterns of spam activity for
Symantec.cloud clients for threats during 2012.
1 in
150
1 in
100
1 in
50
2011 2012