If you are a technologist, you have most likely heard of the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). However, reading this report isn’t always a walk in the park. With all the industry terms and technical language used, it can be challenging to decode this report. That is why we have prepared this ultimate guide to help you read the Verizon DBIR. In this blog post, we will be breaking down all the fundamental elements of the Verizon DBIR, so you can gain a better understanding of this industry-trending report.

First things first, let’s talk about the structure of the report. The Verizon DBIR is divided into several sections, each with a unique focus. The report starts with an overview of the year’s trending cybersecurity incidents based on data from different sources. You’ll then see sections on the threat actors, tactics used, the industry that is most affected, and many more. Each section is hierarchical and includes clear charts and graphs to help you better understand the data.

One of the most critical elements of the Verizon DBIR is understanding its language. You will encounter several terms specific to the cybersecurity industry that you may not be familiar with. If you come across a term you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to research or look it up. Do not assume you know the definition. For instance, “Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)” are recurrent attacks on an entity and often go unnoticed for a long time.

Another valuable piece of information you can get from the Verizon DBIR is the breach trends. The report is often focused on identifying patterns and drawing insights on current trends in cybersecurity. For instance, you may identify that ransomware continues to be one of the significant points of a breach, yet it is still overlooked in businesses. Therefore reading the report can aid you to determine the recommended areas you should prioritize in your cybersecurity strategy.

Additionally, it would be best to pay attention to the new types of breach focused on by Verizon’s experts. When reviewing the report, you should prioritize looking into the new tactics used by cybercriminals around the world. You can easily identify these tactics in the report’s early sections, like the “Threat Landscape” section. By keeping track of the new tactics used, you can adjust your cybersecurity measures to counter them before they become a problem to your networks.

If you want to take a deeper dive into a specific vertical, there is a good chance that Verizon’s experts have information regarding your industry. The report typically has a section dedicated to specific verticals. In these sections, you can learn things like the most common tactics used in your industry, the most common types of data lost, as well as information about the most common sources of incidents.

Overall, the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report is an excellent resource for technologists to better understand cybersecurity trends and how they can adapt to protect their businesses. Remember, when reading this report, it is essential to pay attention to the specific terminology used, identify trends over time, and keep track of emerging security issues. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to keep your organization’s data secure, and your clients’ information protected. I hope this ultimate guide had provided you with a better way of understanding this vital industry resource.