How can you be sure your IT environment is truly secure? And what does it take to build a safer digital landscape in an increasingly uncertain world? Inrego sat down with Diego Lopez, Head of Cybersecurity at IT-Total, to discuss the threats we face today – and what companies can do to reduce their vulnerabilities.
Cyberattacks are increasing at an alarming rate. In Sweden alone, the number of attacks rose by 165% in 2024. Hardware providers have been particularly targeted, with attacks against them surging by 191% in Q3 compared to the same period the year before.
“Cyberattacks have become a weapon. NATO has now defined cyberspace as a fifth domain of warfare, alongside land, sea, air, and space. That says a lot about the severity of the situation. We need to build resilience — as individuals, businesses, and public institutions,” says Diego Lopez, Head of Cybersecurity at IT-Total.
A Shared Mission for Secure Circularity
IT-Total helps protect its clients' IT infrastructure by identifying and preventing risks in complex environments. A key part of this work involves securing the entire lifecycle of IT equipment — where the partnership with Inrego plays a vital role.
“Reuse is more important than ever — both from a security and sustainability perspective. Together with Inrego, we ensure hardware is handled responsibly and securely. Certified data erasure is essential, and every device is properly wiped and documented,” explains Diego.
Connected Means Vulnerable
Nearly everything in our daily lives is now connected — refrigerators, speakers, locks, cameras. Yet many of these devices are rarely updated, despite running software. As they age, their vulnerabilities increase.
“An old freezer with an outdated operating system could, in the worst case, serve as an open door into your network,” Diego warns.
At home, devices often share a single network, making it harder to isolate threats. Companies are better positioned to segment their infrastructure, but unprotected connected devices are still a common risk factor.
Cybercriminals Exploit Poor Source Evaluation
Disinformation is another growing threat, targeting businesses, politicians, government agencies, and individuals. With paid search results and AI-generated content, it’s easier than ever to be misled.
“Source criticism is more important than ever. People often trust the first search result without checking the source, which makes us vulnerable,” Diego continues.
Phishing attempts are also increasing. Since we tend to be less cautious on mobile devices, attackers can more easily steal passwords and personal information. A sketchy-looking site might still get clicks, simply because we expect lower design standards on smaller screens.
A Crash Course in Digital Defense
The pace of change has been rapid — but digital self-defense hasn’t kept up. Many don’t know how to update their routers, change passwords, or activate two-factor authentication. At the same time, outdated computers continue to be used even after they’ve stopped receiving security updates.
“Before it could take months for vulnerabilities to be exploited. Today, it can happen in hours. That makes old, unprotected devices especially attractive to attackers,” says Diego.
One timely example: Windows 10 will no longer be supported as of October this year. That’s where Inrego can step in — buying back devices that aren’t compatible with Windows 11 and giving them a second life.
Build Resilience Before It’s Too Late
Cybersecurity demands awareness, training, and the right tools. At IT-Total, companies and organizations are supported with everything from endpoint protection and firewall-as-a-service to segmented networks and secure cloud environments.
Through its partnership with Inrego, IT-Total also ensures that hardware is safely managed from start to finish — enabling reuse in ways that minimize both environmental impact and risk.
“It’s about building resilience and staying ahead. Cyber threats aren’t a future concern — they’re happening right now,” Diego concludes.
Want to know how to secure your IT environment?
Reach out to IT-Total to reduce your vulnerabilities. And for secure, circular lifecycle management of your IT hardware — contact Inrego. We’re here to help.
