Cybersecurity has always been an ongoing race, but the rate of change is getting faster. Companies are investing in technology to run their businesses. Now, they are adding more systems to their IT networks to support remote work, enhance customer experience, and create value, all of which introduce potential new vulnerabilities.
At the same time, adversaries are not just individual actors anymore – they include highly sophisticated organizations that utilize integrated tools and capabilities with artificial intelligence and machine learning. The scope of the threat is expanding, and no organization is immune.
Small and midsize enterprises, municipalities, state and federal governments, along with large companies, all face these risks. In response to these evolving threats, incorporating advanced security solutions like Runtime Application Self Protection (RASP) is becoming increasingly important. Even the most advanced cyber controls of today, no matter how effective, will soon become outdated, and technologies like RASP are essential for providing real-time, proactive defense against emerging threats. By integrating such self-protecting capabilities, organizations can better safeguard their critical applications from both known and unknown vulnerabilities.
In this kind of environment, leadership needs to address important questions: “Are we ready for accelerated digitization in the next three to five years?” and, more specifically, “Are we looking far enough ahead to understand the future cybersecurity implications of today’s technology investments?”
4 Cybersecurity Trends for the Future To Watch
Cybersecurity Trends for the Future
The proactive approach to cybersecurity is paramount in today’s digital landscape. All organizations must stay ahead of potential threats and attacks, as this is the most effective way to safeguard sensitive information, using vendor risk management is a great way to look at this. This proactive stance requires the utilization of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud security, and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
For instance, when considering cybersecurity in North America, utilizing the best VPN in Canada can provide an additional layer of defense to protect critical data and communications. By adopting these advanced tools and strategies, businesses can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and minimize risks.
Even one VPN for Microsoft Edge can significantly reduce the risk of hacking if used by all remote employees. The quality of the VPN is also important, so you should pay close attention to the provider. Using a service like VeePN is a smart practice for any business.
#1 Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has completely transformed the way businesses and individuals engage with technology. It offers unparalleled access to data and applications from any location with an internet connection. However, it does come with its own set of cybersecurity risks.
The primary concern with cloud computing is the multiple entry points it introduces, making systems more susceptible to attacks. Moreover, cloud computing often necessitates resource sharing among users, further exacerbating the risk of potential breaches. As cloud computing continues to gain traction among individuals and businesses, the likelihood of data breaches and other malicious activities naturally increases.
There are several measures businesses and individuals can adopt to safeguard their data. For example, encryption should be implemented to prevent unauthorized access. Businesses ought to establish a comprehensive security strategy, which includes regular patching and updates, and perhaps even reaching out to someone like Nueva to see what they could offer in terms of cybersecurity solutions and support.
#2 On-demand access to ubiquitous data
Increasing business reliance on remote workers and support tools poses risks for data breaches. When you consider the exponential growth in the amount of data that businesses store, this problem becomes even more daunting.
To implement ambitious data processing plans, businesses have to resort to data lakes. Their job is to aggregate information from various sources, such as vendor and partner assets, across different environments. Furthermore, as data collection becomes more centralized the risk of high-profile attacks increases.
An example of this is the Sunburst hack in 2020, where malicious code was spread to customers through regular software updates. Similarly, in early 2020, attackers took advantage of compromised employee credentials from a major hotel chain’s third-party application. Consequences – over 5 million guest records compromised.
To protect such data in networks with remote connections, you need access control and encryption of each connection. This can be achieved through the Microsoft Edge VPN extension or other forms of VPN. By encrypting data before sending it and hiding the IP, a VPN makes users much more secure.
#3 AI and machine learning
The traditional image of a lone hacker working in isolation is no longer the primary threat. Nowadays, cyberhacking has transformed into a massive industry with billions of dollars at stake, complete with organized hierarchies and dedicated research and development budgets.
Attackers employ highly sophisticated tools, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation, to streamline the entire attack process—from reconnaissance to exploitation—as fast as possible, sometimes even within a matter of days or hours. Take Emotet, for instance, an advanced form of malware that specifically targets banks.
In 2020, it leveraged advanced AI and machine learning techniques to enhance its effectiveness, utilizing automated processes to send out tailored phishing emails that exploited other email vulnerabilities, some of which were linked to COVID-19 communications.
#4 Talent shortage and regulatory challenges
Many organizations struggle with a lack of cybersecurity talent, knowledge, and expertise. The shortfall is continuously growing. Moreover, cyber risk management has not kept pace with the rapid proliferation of digital and analytics transformations, leaving many companies unsure about how to identify and manage digital risks.
This challenge is compounded by regulators increasingly scrutinizing corporate cybersecurity capabilities, applying the same level of oversight seen in financial services for credit and liquidity risks, as well as in critical infrastructure for operational and physical security risks.
Additionally, companies are facing more stringent compliance requirements, driven by growing privacy concerns and highly publicized breaches. With additional approximately 100 cross-border data flow regulations in place, cybersecurity teams are now tasked with managing data and reporting obligations resulting from the White House Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity.
Furthermore, with mobile-phone operating systems asking users for specific data usage preferences from each application, companies are confronted with a new set of challenges concerning data privacy.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and new threats emerge each day. Organizations must stay ahead of the curve in order to protect their data and systems from malicious activity. Adopting modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, encryption, and VPNs are essential steps organizations can take to safeguard themselves against hackers and cyberthreats.
