The cyber world around us is spreading like never before. As if it is going on a speed of light. The technological breakthroughs are occurring so many times it is nearly impossible to keep track of all of it. Keeping up with the updated Cybersecurity Trends is an overwhelming job.
As cybersecurity is a top priority in most companies, industries, and small businesses worldwide, it is an essential need to know how to be at the top of the cybersecurity trends. Not only that, cybersecurity mainly affects personal security and the stability of society too. Petr Láhner, the Business Executive Vice President for the Industry Service & Cyber Security at TÜV Rhineland expressed his word,
“From our point of view, it is particularly serious that cybercrime is increasingly affecting our security and the stability of society as a whole.”
So for professionals and individuals, there are some particular cybersecurity trends that one should look out for to be top of the game. And today’s article is all about cybersecurity awareness and 20 ways to stay on top of the cybersecurity trends. So let us begin.
What is Cyber Security?
Cybersecurity or Computer security is the practice of protecting computers, devices, servers, electronic modules, network systems, and data from malicious attacks and threats. The term is also known as information technology security or electronic information security.
Types of Cyber Threats
There are mainly three types of cyber threats-
Cybercrime
Cybercrime is when a single actor or a group of people targets a computer system to breach it and cause disruption.
Cyber-attack
This type of crime is often politically moved to gather sensitive information.
Cyber terrorism
Cyber terrorism is causing panic or fear using cyber information or sensitive data. It could mean blackmailing, extortion, and other criminal activity.
Most common methods of cyber threats
Malware
Malware means malicious software that puts your system at risk. Some of the malware is,
- Virus
- Trojans
- Spyware
- Ransomware
- Adware
- Botnets etc.
SQL Injection
An SQL or structured language query injection is a type of cyber-attack used for taking control of the server and system and stealing important data.
Phishing
Phishing is the act of circumventing security with an alias. The cybercriminals target the victim with emails and ask for sensitive information acting as a legitimate company.
Man-in-the-middle attack
A man-in-the-middle attack is a cyber threat, where a criminal intercepts communication between two individuals and steals sensitive data.
Denial-of-service attack
In this attack method, the cybercriminals prevent a computer system from fulfilling requests by overwhelming the networks and servers with false traffic. This makes the system unusable and prevents users from carrying out essential functions.
Top Cybersecurity Trends to Look Out For
Here are some current cybersecurity trends to keep an eye for. There are many outsourcing cybersecurity companies like Ntiva, Crowdstrike, Gigamon, and Fortinet to ensure constant and trustworthy IT support.
1. Uncontrolled access to personal data has potential risks of a personal security breach
In today’s digital era, sadly, personal information is not personal anymore. You can’t even imagine how much of your data is on the internet. For example, Judith Duportail, a french woman, in 2017 asked a dating company whose app she was using, sending her all the information they had about her. Can you guess how much data they had? The company sent her about 800 pages of personal information, from her Facebook, likes to the men he dated online, and 870 conversations with the matching contacts. She has been using the app since 2013. So from this single example, you can understand how many breaches can be done with uncontrolled personal data access.
To keep up with the cybersecurity trends, it is a smart idea not to give access to your data without carefully reading the company’s privacy policies. And it is a recommendation not to use any service that requires too much of your personal information.
2. Read Tech-related News Daily Related to Cybersecurity Trends
To keep at the top of the cyber security trends, you need to know what is happening in the cybersecurity companies and the technology world.
There are some excellent magazines and tech journals that can help you in this regard. Some of the renowned journals are Wired, Techcrunch, Cybercrime Magazine, SC Magazine, CISO MAG, Brilliance Security Magazine, etc. One particular journal, which is my favorite, is the ‘MIT Technology Review’ published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cybersecurity experts and tech enthusiasts write articles.
Make a habit of reading these tabloids with your morning tea. These articles will keep your mind sharp and up to date with the rest of the cyber world.
3. Smart consumer devices are spreading rapidly and often they aren’t secured
The quantity and performance of ‘smart’ devices are increasing over the years. That is making these devices an excellent target for cybercriminals. With the smart consumer devices available at large, criminal activity is surfacing much faster and much easier.
So it is advised to consider cyber security awareness before using any smart consumer devices.
4. Use Apps and Tech Trackers to get posted of currents news
Certain mobile apps could be useful to keep you up to date with the technology world. Most of the online journals I mentioned have pocket or panda apps that can help you get selected information you crave for.
Several apps and trackers like Thoughtworks Tech Radar search the internet continuously and present relevant information to your phone instantly. It is an excellent method of keeping up to date with the cyber world and preventing cyber security breaches.
5. Owning a medical device increases the risk of a personal health cyber threat
Over the last few years, personal medical devices such as heart and glucose monitors, pacemakers, insulin pumps, and defibrillators are connected to the internet as part of IoMT (Internet of Medical Things).
The researchers have found out that growing numbers of this medical technology and their connection to the web is putting the health information at risk. The cybercriminals can access these data through malicious ways. That, in the end, may put your safety in danger.
6. Vulnerabilities in Real-time Operating Systems
A real-time operating system (RTOS) is an OS that processes the data as it comes in. It works without buffer delays, and the processing time is much shorter. So it is gaining popularity. But unfortunately, the cybercrime syndicate is also finding RTOS vulnerable. They can breach the OS and steal any amount of data they want without even letting you know.
In 2019, Armis Labs discovered 11 of these types of severe vulnerabilities in the RTOS. Six of these flaws have exposed an estimated 200 million IoT devices. So you can imagine the threat level of this cybersecurity breach.
7. Get creative in your cybersecurity challenges.
Keeping up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends doesn’t have to be confined in reading and researching. You can be creative in plenty of ways. Listen to podcasts channels like Security Now!, Security Weekly, or Risky Business and get yourself engaged in cyber awareness. There several instructional and entertaining podcasts to help you. You can also watch technology videos on YouTube to keep posted. Make sure to keep an eye for the latest videos and podcasts and make your cyber trend query entertainable.
8. Attend Tech & Cyber Conferences
Attending various technology and cyber conferences allows you to listen to educational lectures and see how the tech world is evolving. You can see the technologies you heard in practice in this type of event. Seeing the process with your very own eye will is an invaluable advantage.
The conferences are also meeting places. It is an excellent way of meeting technology enthusiasts just like you. You can make new contacts and perhaps can get in touch for new tech trials.
9. Cyber insurance
Another cybersecurity trend you should follow is Cyber insurance. It is a type of preventative measure against cyber threats. However, Cyber insurance will not protect you from all cybercrimes, but having insurance may benefit the long run.
The cyber liability insurance coverage (CLIC) may not cover all of the damages. It might help you assess the damages after an attack and patch up the breach for future use. It usually covers expenses related to the first parties and claimed by the third parties, legal fees, investigation charges, and some extent of business losses.
10. Increasing Attacks against Cloud Services
The use of Cloud computing and cloud-based service is increasing for running business services with sensitive private data on the cloud. The services are used to cut costs on maintaining a personal company server. But it is a potential threat to the data on the cloud. It is common to see new methods of attacks on Cyber clouds by cyber terrorists. In one of its reports, Microsoft stated that in 2017 there was a 300% rise in cyber attacks for its cloud users.
11. Sign up for Newsletters to Know Cybersecurity Trends
Signing up for newsletters is a smart way of thinking. By signing up for newsletters from tech giants like Google’s Online Security Blog, Apple, IBM, or other cyber and tech companies, you can get all the latest information directly to your inbox. All these newsletters are free of cost and can potentially help you update your company’s cyber safety with the information they provide.
Large enterprises are continuously working on updating technologies. If you are connected to them, you can get information about new products or even new security risks. You can get all of these updates on your phone. Aside from this, manually browsing through tech stores also helps you stay on top of the trends.
12. Mobile Devices are at a Major Cybersecurity Risk
Mobile devices are now an inseparable part of our life. We can not think of passing a day without touching the smartphones. So do you and your employees. And mobile devices are at a potential threat to cybersecurity. The cybercriminal may target one of your employee’s mobile devices to access the mainframe server and steal data. While mobile devices’ direct business impact is low, it can not be overlooked or left alone.
To make your cybersecurity impenetrable, you should secure every mobile endpoint system. So that no malware or virus can not get in your server over wifi or through cable via a smartphone.
13. Engage in Social Media Platforms
Social media might not be the most reliable news source, but it is an excellent source of keeping up with the latest cybersecurity trends. Not only using social media platforms is easy, but the algorithms are also customizable to your needs. You can receive timely updates from technology and cyber news.
You can follow tech companies, leading cybersecurity professionals and magazines on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook feeds to receive conveniently and self- evident information. Who can be the best person to identify the latest cyber trends than industry experts? So follow them on social media and be on top of the cybersecurity solutions.
14. Sandbox-Evading Malware
Sandboxing is an automated system for malware detection that’s used for antivirus programs and security applications. The system prevents cybersecurity threats and protects your PC. But a Sandbox-Evading Malware bypasses the system and acts as standard software breaching the system. It hides complex threats, and the traditional antivirus system fails to protect your PC or server.
To increase the cybersecurity awareness, you need to boost up your system and make your system Sandbox-Evading Malware free. Some of the Sandbox-Evading Malware evading techniques detect user interaction, detect system characteristics, be aware of the environment, and look out for system time-based techniques.
15. Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
AI and Machine learning is a comparatively new concept in the technology world. The developers, creators, and programmers are developing the AI system to protect itself from cyber threats. Some researchers estimate that around 250,000 new malicious programs are prevented daily by AI and Machine learning. But as the work is in progress with the evolving system, the threats are evolving too. Cybercriminals turn to adversarial inputs, model stealing, and data poisoning to push back against the burgeoning advanced technology.
So before using AI or Machine learning for your business, you should read and understand the security system in detail to ensure your company’s cybersecurity safety.
16. Escalated Impact of State-Sponsored Cyberattacks
Though it is unfortunate advanced cyber threats backed by state governments are now a significant concern for the global security landscape. Cybercriminals who are unofficially backed by the state can execute DDOS attacks and cause high profile data theft. They can steal sensitive political data, industry secrets, spread false information, and influence global opinions. They can even silence revolting voices by their mischievous acts.
These threats are growing as political tensions grow, and it will escalate more shortly. To counter such advanced magnitude attacks will need big business companies and government organizations to advanced solutions to detect and eliminate known and unknown emerging breaches and vulnerabilities.
17. Cybersecurity training for Employee
One of the greatest and maybe the essential thing for cybersecurity is to train your employee in cybersecurity training. As they are at the most risk of your organization’s security. A cybercriminal can get in your system through them, which may destroy all of your valuable data.
Training your company staff in detailed cybersecurity training might save your company from cyber threats. Arranging cybersecurity awareness month, conferences, and infield training programs for your employee will be beneficial for your organization’s future.
18. Implementing Work from Home (WFH) policy
Since the pandemic outbreak throughout the world, all companies have taken Work from home policy for their employees. And it has become a challenge for overviewing each employee and protect them from cyber threats. To keep up with this cybersecurity trend, the companies are required to implement extra security measures to keep their sensitive data safe.
With WFH policy, the number of security threats is rising, putting the company’s data in danger. Data loss prevention solutions can help companies monitor their employees and control the data transferred through the internet remotely. So it can be ensured that the data is not going outside the company ground to an unauthorized third party.
19. Know your vulnerabilities
It is essential to monitor your system’s potential risks regularly and know your vulnerabilities. You should use resources like the Computer Emergency Readiness Team Coordination Center (CERT/CC) to identify your system’s weakness. Keeping track of security advisors is an easy way to prevent security breaches, update your company’s technology, and prevent your business from exploiting.
20. Understand your needs of Cybersecurity Trends and act on it
Getting all the information related to cybersecurity is indeed beneficial, but tangling up in the ocean of knowledge is never a good idea. It would help if you did not fall victim to every new tech craze. Taking advantage of the technology world means determining what you need and making that work for you. So always be top of the game and chose to follow what you need. Don’t follow and run after every new technology on the market.
Additional to that first you must understand what information and technology you need. You mustn’t follow cooking technology if you own the automotive industry. Keep up with what trend suits you best, and you will be the leader in technology trends.
Final Thoughts
Information and cyber technology have gradually covered us at every corner. So it has become a duty to be up to date with the cybersecurity trends for company owners, business people, or freelance tech enthusiasts. The cybersecurity trends mentioned above are only the top ones. Remember, when it comes to cybersecurity, nothing is enough to satisfy the needs. So always keep up to date with the cyber world to protect your business or organization.
Nice writing. Well detailed article.