Title: COVID-19: cybersecurity issues in times of pandemic

Authors: Yadigar Imamverdiyev; Lyudmila Sukhostat

Addresses: Institute of Information Technology, 9A, B. Vahabzade Street, Baku AZ1141, Azerbaijan ' Institute of Information Technology, 9A, B. Vahabzade Street, Baku AZ1141, Azerbaijan

Abstract: COVID-19 is one of the worst threats to the global community in this century. Society is facing a massive number of cyberattacks during this period. Cybersecurity is an issue for individuals and organisations, given the growing number of people using the internet. The purpose of this survey is to identify key cybersecurity problems and solutions during a pandemic, observed in the healthcare sector, education, and critical infrastructures. Cybersecurity issues during COVID-19 are analysed and aspects of personal data security are discussed. We studied the most prominent cyberattacks during the pandemic and found that they were related to phishing, ransomware, malware, and hacking. Measures to combat infodemics and the role of social media are explored. The evolution of infodemic risk from 2020 to 2022 is analysed. This research is expected to be very useful for improving cybersecurity systems in the context of heightened demands during COVID-19 and in the post-pandemic period.

Keywords: COVID-19; cyberattacks; cybersecurity; privacy; infodemics.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2024.140767

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2024 Vol.20 No.5, pp.569 - 590

Received: 07 Nov 2022
Accepted: 02 Oct 2023
Published online: 02 Sep 2024 *

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