Cybersecurity is an essential aspect of our world today. Small businesses, private organizations, and government parastatals rely heavily on computerized systems. These systems help them manage their daily activities. Since technologies keep changing, cybersecurity trends are also taking a parallel shift.

Cyberattacks are one of the most growing crimes in the global economy. Cybercriminals infiltrate organizations and individual systems for malicious purposes. They’ve made data breaches and ransomware attacks the new normal.

To prepare against these attacks, organizations should always be on the lookout. They should also comply with their national security laws when incorporating strategies to combat cyberattacks.

For instance, digital service providers and essential services operators should comply with the NIS directive. NIS sets information security and a range of network requirements that these operators should follow. It provides legal measures that boost the level of cybersecurity in the EU.

It enables this by:

• Creating a culture of security in sectors that are important to the economy and heavily rely on ICT. Examples include the healthcare, banking, and energy industries.
• Setting up cooperation groups to facilitate the exchange of information and strategic cooperation among member states.

It’s necessary to be aware of the cybersecurity trends to prepare against these attacks. Here are 7 things to know about the latest cybersecurity trends.

1. The Rise of Automotive Hacking

Modern vehicles have automated software. The software assists drivers in having seamless experiences when on the road. Some of these tools include engine timers, cruise control, and door locks. The vehicles use WIFI and Bluetooth technologies to communicate. Unfortunately, these new technologies make them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

The rise of automated vehicles has prompted an increase in microphone usage. The microphone is used for eavesdropping to gain control of the cars. Self-driving cars use more complex mechanisms, thus need strict cybersecurity measures.

2. Increase Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is amongst the most common threats to the data security of organizations. It’s a type of malware that blocks access to data in a computerized system. It also threatens to publish it unless the victim pays a ransom fee to the attacker.

A ransomware attack is a cybersecurity trend that keeps evolving. The attacks are more rampant in developed countries. They are also common in industries that rely on specific software to perform different activities. Cybercriminals mostly use extortion for ransomware attacks. Here, criminals steal an organization’s data and encrypt it before using it.

Organizations that fall victim to these attacks get a hard time recovering from the blow. AGB Investigative offers cost effective security services for those wondering about how much hiring a security company cost.

3. AI Will Continue Rising

AI has brought lots of changes in cybersecurity. It’s been a vital tool in creating automated security systems like:

• Face detection
• Natural language processing
• Automatic threat detection

AI can be used to predict any attacks and notify the security protocols of any data breach.

Organizations continue embracing AI technology, as part of their security infrastructure. Most security systems have integrated AI systems. Thus, it’s possible to analyze massive amounts of data.

AI has automated security that replaces human intervention in security matters. It’s great for both large and small organizations, security-wise. Also, it’s an excellent tool for detecting threats and enhancing under-resourced security teams.

Cybercriminals are also taking advantage of AI and are using it to automate attacks. They are using model stealing and data-poisoning techniques to do so.

Infographic created by Donnelley Financial Solutions.

4. Increased Need for Cybersecurity Professionals

Since cyberattacks are on the rise, organizations will have to invest in cybersecurity professionals. Cybersecurity experts help protect companies’ digital information. They develop security systems, test, analyze and implement them. They also check and manage vulnerability in these systems.

These experts respond to security threats by developing threat prevention strategies.

With AI-integrated security systems, these individuals will help organizations curb these attacks by monitoring and securing their corporate networks.

5. Insider Threats Are Here to Stay

Insider threats are the threat posed by individuals within an organization. Humans error is one of the many reasons for data breaches. Whether intentional or not, any loophole is likely to destroy years of reputable organizations’ work.

Some of the information that is compromised include:

• Login credentials
• Sensitive financial data
• Employees and customers data
• Organization security practices

It’s necessary to create cybersecurity awareness in your company. Do this by offering training to employees to safeguard your organization’s data. Always ensure you conduct regular assessments. This will help you understand the potential damage that could be caused by insider threats.

6. Increased Cloud Services Attack

Cloud service has been existing for a while. It offers advantages like efficiency, scalability, and lower costs for different services. Cloud applications like Google and Microsoft are well equipped with security from their side. Unfortunately, the user’s side continues to be a hotspot for malicious software and phishing attacks.

Most businesses and organizations are migrating to cloud storage. The trend will continue growing as enterprises are continuously adopting cloud-hosted processes.

Most cloud services don’t offer audit logging, authentication, and secure encryption. Others fail to seclude user data from other individuals that are sharing space in the cloud.

IT security professionals must monitor and update security measures to tighten cloud security.

Cloud services continue to be an interest to cyber attackers. Poor configurations can give cybercriminals easy access to the cloud database. Thus, companies should take stock of the security implications that are a result of the cloud. Also, they should determine the vulnerabilities existing in their current infrastructure.

Cloud security is now using innovative and predictive security to fight cyber attacks. Predictive security is used to identify threats before hackers make their move. It even shows attacks that couldn’t be detected by other endpoint securities in cloud storage.

More businesses are implementing predictive security to protect their data. In addition, a CMMC Certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to data security and cybersecurity. Even if you don’t plan on obtaining government contracts, your clients, partners, and vendors will be aware that you strive to provide data protection measures that adhere to a strict protocol of security if you have this advanced level of compliance.

7. Vulnerability of IoT

IoT devices keep dominating the market today. They offer new ways for businesses to add value. Also, they connect the physical world with the virtual world. IoT provides opportunities to businesses and cybercriminals alike. Computing devices in IoT products enable receiving and sending of data.

Nonetheless, constant data sharing and instant connectivity create opportunities for data to be compromised. This poses security threats to the users and exposes them to cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks are not new to IoT. But, since IoT continues to be an integral part of human lives, it’s necessary to take precautions. Or rather, be serious about cyber defense.

Conclusion

There are different cyber trends existing today. Cybercriminals continue coming up with smart ways to conduct their attacks. Thus, both individuals and organizations should always be careful. You need to take the necessary precaution to protect your data. After all, most of these cybersecurity trends are here to stay.