In the annual report, which focuses on 2020, the Centre says online crime has gained "advantage from various social confinements". While economic activity has slowed, with millions of people using electronic means to work, incidents have increased and it is expected that their number will not decrease again.

"It is to be expected that some threats are here to stay, namely in terms of the volume of incidents and some modes of action" that may become more unpredictable, warns the National Cyber Security Centre (CNCS).

Many of the cyber-threats will continue, as a result of the "persistence of the pandemic and its effects", and will take advantage of "vulnerabilities caused by remote work and by the increased importance of the digital sphere and of sectors such as banking and health" in remote access, the report indicates.

The 1,347 incidents identified in 2020 represent an increase of 79 percent, "accentuating the rate of increase already seen in previous years, but if you count those that take advantage of "vulnerabilities" that allow an attacker to do actions that they would not be allowed to do, the figure reaches 1,418, representing an increase of 88 percent.

By sector, attacks on banking more than tripled in 2020, reaching 229 accidents and making this sector the second most attacked.

In first place, the CNCS identified 626 incidents in unspecified sectors and government areas, while digital infrastructure was the third most attacked, internet service providers the fourth and higher education the fifth sector with the most incidents recorded.