Cybersecurity trends 2021. The technological world is ever-changing. This is not a new occurrence. However, in the last year, it has surely reached new heights.
The term “disruption” describes the experiences of most organizations amid COVID-19. In fact, no one could have predicted its impact on business, technology, and cybersecurity.
So here are some of the emerging cybersecurity trends in 2021.
Emerging Cybersecurity Trends
Remote Work’s Impact: New Threats and Solutions
This pandemic and the shift in remote work had major implications for the cybersecurity world.
For example, to accommodate a newly remote landscape, many have unplanned cloud migrations. As well as swift procurement of IT products and services.
Others also rushed typical security measures. Thus, creating new levels of vulnerability and risk. Moreover, even after the pandemic, the world of remote work isn’t going anywhere.
So, organizations will need to assess their current security infrastructures. Then, they will need to start thinking about a long-term security strategy going forward.
New Challenges From Ransomware
Ransomware is one of the most common threats to any company’s data security. In 2020, ransomware attacks were more expensive than the average data breach costing $4.44 million. And most likely, this threat will continue to increase and evolve.
Additionally, the sophistication of techniques criminals are using is growing too. In fact, there’s an increasing emphasis on extortion attacks. And criminals steal a company’s data and encrypt it, so the company can’t access it.
Criminals will also blackmail the company, threatening the company to release the private data. Of course unless if a ransom is paid.
Increased Use of Multi-factor Authentication
Passwords remain a standard for cybersecurity best practices. However, more companies will be adopting multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an additional defense.
But how does an MFA work? Well, it involves the use of two or more separate factors in authorizing users to access secure data. Thus, it will be forcing people to use more than one device to confirm their identity.
Continued Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI and machine learning are growing in sophistication and capability. And companies are also continuing to hone these technologies as part of their security infrastructure.
Companies used AI to build automated security systems that replace human intervention. As a result, it’s now possible to analyze massive quantities of risk data at a much faster pace.
No doubt, AI presents a major opportunity for stronger threat detection among businesses. Apparently, criminal networks are taking advantage of AI to automate their attacks. And to do so, they are turning to data-poisoning and model-stealing techniques.
Insider Threats on the Rise
Insider threats are becoming a heightened area of concern. Especially as we continue to navigate a remote workforce.
Yes, it’s easier to believe that all cybersecurity threats come from external forces. But, still, organizations should not also ignore the increasing numbers of threat actors within their own company.
So, in 2021, organizations must give more consideration to the possibility of insider threats at the hands of their own employees. It’s hard to come to terms though, but the data doesn’t lie.
In fact, 15% to 25% of security breach incidents are caused by trusted business partners. So security leaders must see inside threats as a real risk and take them seriously.
