As technology advances and cybercrime increases, companies need to remain vigilant about their cybersecurity strategies. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), it is important to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity trends to protect your business from cyber threats.
Here are the top cybersecurity trends you should be aware of in 2023:
1. Artificial Intelligence:
AI-enabled security solutions are becoming increasingly popular as they can detect and prevent threats more quickly and accurately than traditional security measures. These solutions are also capable of using predictive analytics to anticipate future threats and take proactive steps to mitigate them before they occur. Additionally, AI-powered solutions can learn from past mistakes and improve their performance over time.
For all the good things that AI provides, it can also be used by cybercriminals and perhaps be even more impactful. AI can be rapidly used to identify weaknesses, whether in software or security programs, that hackers may exploit and abuse for their own benefit. Thanks to this technology, cybercriminals can mass generate phishing emails, utilizing stolen personal information or public sources such as social media posts, with extremely high success rates. AI is also being leveraged to design malware that constantly evades detection, effectively rendering most automated defensive strategies ineffective. Unfortunately, cybersecurity efforts will need to keep up with the increasing sophistication of these attackers if they are going to stay one step ahead of them.
2. Increased Reliance on Cloud Computing:
The use of cloud computing is growing rapidly in both the public and private sectors due to its scalability, availability, cost savings, and speed. However, with this increased reliance on cloud computing comes an increased risk for data breaches as sensitive information is stored in remote servers that may not be adequately protected from hackers or malicious actors. In 2022, 27% of organizations experienced a cyber-attack on their cloud infrastructure. As such, organizations must ensure that their cloud storage infrastructure is secure against potential attacks or leaks.
3. Increased Focus on Identity Management:
Compromised credentials have become one of the most common targets for cybercriminals to enter organizations’ networks through various types of cyber-attacks, whether it be malware, phishing, or even worse, ransomware. To combat this threat, organizations are turning towards identity management solutions that allow them to better protect customer data by assigning unique IDs for each user accessing their system. Additionally, these solutions can help identify suspicious activity quickly so that appropriate action can be taken before any damage is done.
4. Automation:
Automation has become indispensable for systematically and securely handling increasingly larger amounts of data. The need for automation is further heightened by the dynamic and demanding environment in which IT professionals are expected to deliver efficient and effective solutions. Consequently, providing security during the agile process has become essential in developing secure software tools. But given the increasing complexity of web applications, these developments also require automated defenses against cyber-attacks that have become an integral part of software development. Automation and cyber security are key concepts that help organizations create safe and robust information systems.
5. Rise in Mobile Device Attacks:
Mobile device cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent, with cybersecurity trends pointing to a 50% increase in mobile banking malware or attacks in 2019. Since then, these attacks have become even more commonplace, highlighting the potential danger of hackers getting their hands on our confidential data, including photos, emails, financial transactions, and messages. Furthermore, we must be prepared for the imminent growth of smartphone viruses and malware predicted by cybersecurity trends over the next few years. Individuals need to be vigilant when it comes to protecting themselves against these malicious threats.
6. Challenges with Remote Work:
Remote work is not going anywhere. It has been a fixture of many businesses since its rapid popularity during the COVID pandemic. With new work environments come new challenges. A recent report noted that 20% of organizations experienced a breach due to a remote worker in 2022. Working from home has increased flexibility and offered opportunities, but it has also brought its fair share of difficulties. The main concern is that remote work greatly expands the attack surface for any business. Other concerns also play a role, such as ensuring that employees are staying productive and accountable, as well as creating a sense of community in a remote environment. Because of this limited visibility and greater attack surface, cyber risk has drastically increased.
7. State-Sponsored and International Attacks:
State-sponsored and international attackers present a unique type of security risk due to the scale of their attack operations and the range of targets they can select from. They are often well-funded and highly organized, with a multitude of resources at their disposal. Stricter cybersecurity measures are necessary to limit their access to confidential data, as a loophole could lead to major information leaks that have far-reaching consequences. Different types of blocking software and firewalls can be used but must be updated regularly to stay ahead of potential attack vectors. Employing proactive cybersecurity measures like multi-factor authentication, regular penetration testing, etc. are also crucial for detecting gaps in security procedures and policies. Following these precautions will minimize such threats significantly and provide essential protection for any organization or individual user against malicious state-sponsored or international attackers.
8. Insider Threats:
Insider threats are a major issue for businesses, especially as cyber-security risks increase. Employees are the number one source of potential problems, making them a major area of concern. Insiders can obtain and share sensitive company data without authorization, sabotaging operational systems or installing malware through their organization’s networks. Additionally, malicious insiders may exploit social engineering tactics to gain access to protected company information. It is essential that businesses recognize and address insider threats with effective security strategies, such as strengthening employee vigilance and implementing robust policy guidelines supported by an effective training program. Training your employees on cyber hygiene can often be the difference for businesses. By taking proactive steps to identify and mitigate these risks, companies can ensure the safety of their data and systems.
9. Targeted Ransomware:
Targeted ransomware attacks have taken the world of cyber security by storm. Such an attack is when a hacker steals sensitive data from individuals and/or businesses, holds it hostage and then demands payment in return for restoring access. These targeted attacks are difficult to protect against because the hackers often use sophisticated methods ranging from malware payloads to social engineering tactics that make detection a challenge. Oftentimes, bad actors can remain undetected in a company environment for roughly 212 days on average, with an additional 75+ days to remediate. While organizations have tried to counter such threats with employee education, rigorous firewall configuration, and proper patching, the increasing prevalence of such attacks worldwide has many worried about the effectiveness of existing countermeasures. To this end, individuals and organizations alike should take extra measures to ensure their data is secured from malicious actors.
10. Geo-Targeted Phishing Attempts:
Geo-targeted phishing attempts are becoming more frequent by the day, and companies must be prepared. Unlike traditional phishing attacks, these malicious emails will target specific users based on their location, some even using region-specific language and emojis in an attempt to make them appear more legitimate. Companies should ensure all employees are aware of the dangers by raising awareness through a training program, as well as having appropriate technical security measures in places like email filtering and malware scanning. Taking proactive steps now can save companies from costly data breaches later.
Closing Thoughts
As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so too do the security risks associated with it. Companies must stay up to date on emerging cybersecurity trends in order to ensure their security against any potential threats or vulnerabilities that may arise in the future. From AI-enabled security solutions to an increased focus on identity management, there are a variety of tools and strategies available for organizations looking to bolster their online security posture in 2023 and beyond. By carefully considering these trends now, businesses can prepare themselves for whatever cyber threats come next year—and beyond!
