The field of cyber security moves quickly as both hackers and security companies compete to outwit one another. New threats and creative defenses against them are always emerging. We examine the most recent developments in cyber security in this overview.
1. Remote working cybersecurity risks
The Covid-19 outbreak drove the majority of businesses to quickly transition their workforces to remote labor. Numerous studies indicate that a sizable segment of the workforce will continue to work remotely after the epidemic.
One of the most talked-about new trends in cyber security is working from home, which presents new cybersecurity threats. Compared to centralized offices, which typically have more secure routers, firewalls, and access control systems managed by IT security teams, home offices are frequently less safe. Traditional security vetting may not have been as thorough as usual in the race to keep things operating; as a result, cybercriminals may have adapted their strategies to their benefit.
In addition to having mobile apps for instant messaging services like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, many employees use their own devices for two-factor authentication. The possibility that private information could end up in the wrong hands grows as a result of these fuzzier distinctions between personal and professional life.
As a result, a crucial trend in cyber security is for businesses to concentrate on the security issues associated with remote workforces. This includes discovering and addressing fresh security flaws, enhancing systems, putting in place security rules, and making sure that monitoring and documentation are done properly. For more information and suggestions, read our comprehensive guide to working securely from home.
2. The Internet of Things (IoT) evolving
There are increased prospects for cybercrime thanks to the growing Internet of Things (IoT). Other than computers, phones, and servers, physical objects that connect to the internet and exchange data are referred to as “things” in the Internet of Things. Wearable fitness trackers, smart refrigerators, smartwatches, and voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home are a few examples of IoT gadgets. It is predicted that 64 billion IoT devices will be installed globally by 2026. This growth is being aided by the move toward remote work.
The dynamics and scope of what is occasionally referred to as the “cyber-attack surface,” or the number of potential entry points for hostile actors, are altered with the proliferation of more devices. The majority of IoT devices have less processing power and storage space when compared to laptops and smartphones. Because of this, using firewalls, antivirus software, and other security tools to protect them may become more challenging. IoT assaults are consequently among the discussed trends in cyber-attacks. IoT security risks are discussed in more detail here.
3. The rise of ransomware
Although ransomware isn’t a new threat—been it’s around for over 20 years—it is one that is expanding. According to estimates, there are currently more than 120 distinct types of ransomware, and cybercriminals have gotten quite good at concealing harmful software. One reason for the emergence of ransomware is the ease with which hackers may profit financially. The pandemic of COVID-19 was another factor. Remote working and the rapid digitization of many enterprises have given ransomware new targets. As a result, both the number of attacks and the number of demands grew.
In 2020, ransomware made history when it was blamed for the first cyber-related fatality that was publicly publicized. In this case, a hospital in Germany was unable to serve patients because it was shut out of its computer systems. A woman in need of emergency care was transported 20 miles away to a nearby hospital, but she did not make it.
Machine learning and more organized sharing on the dark web are helping ransomware perpetrators develop more complex phishing techniques. Most of the time, hackers demand payment in obscure cryptocurrency. In the near future, ransomware attacks against unsecured online businesses are likely to increase. Read More About Top Ten Cybersecurity Trends in 2022.