Cybercriminals are no longer restricted to targeting internal business networks. Now they have a vast playground to work with, as they target smartphones, internet-connected sensors, and anything else that generates data and transmits it over the web. More than ever, businesses need to create and maintain a strong cybersecurity culture.
With the fourth industrial revolution now getting underway, this year will no doubt present a turning point in information security. It’s no longer enough to implement reactive measures like antivirus software and firewalls. Today, business leaders need to stay one step ahead of criminals and other malicious actors by keeping track of the latest attack trends and the new methods of fighting them.
Here are five things to look out for in 2020 and beyond:
#1. Rise of state-sponsored cyberattacks
In addition to land, sea, and air, there’s a new theater of war taking place in the digital realm. State-sponsored attacks are on the rise, with countries spreading disinformation and causing widespread disruption among their rivals. Government and military organizations aren’t the only targets either — state-sponsored attackers are increasingly going after key infrastructure like oil and gas or financial institutions to cause economic damage.
#2. Increasing role of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new arms race, as benevolent parties try to adapt it for the betterment of humankind, while cybercriminals use it for carrying out sophisticated attacks en masse. AI is already a vital tool in many legitimate organizations for predicting future outcomes, making sense of big data, and automating routine workflows. Hackers are using it for much the same things, albeit for malicious purposes. We’ve already seen how authentic-looking deepfakes can be, and cybercriminals are already starting to exploit the technology to carry out devastating social engineering scams or deliberately discredit influential people.
#3. Development of 5G and the Internet of Things
The fifth generation of mobile networking is here, but while it will still be some time before it becomes truly mainstream, its implications for the Internet of Things are enormous. With more bandwidth, higher speed, and greater coverage, it will no doubt fuel another spike in the adoption of internet-connected beacons and sensors. At the same time, this will result in more potential attack vectors for hackers. It could be something as innocuous as an internet-connected fish tank.
#4. Connected vehicles in the spotlight
While truly driverless vehicles might still be some way off, most modern vehicles are moving data generators fitted with an increasing array of connected technologies like GPS, sensors, and in-car entertainment and communication platforms. They’re now an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals, who might use them to piggyback their way into home or business networks. Even more disturbingly, there’s a very real possibility that hackers could target digitally enhanced safety controls in connected cars. This is indeed one of the many reasons why we have yet to see lots of driverless cars on the roads.
#5. Widening cybersecurity skills gap
Globally, the number of unfilled cybersecurity job positions stands at a staggering 3.5 million, and the skills gap only continues to grow. Given how everything from the cars we drive to the key infrastructure that drives modern society needs cybersecurity, this is perhaps one of the most alarming developments of all. To mitigate the risks, organizations are under greater pressure to drive a culture of information security by taking it beyond the IT department to communicate the fact that it’s everyone’s concern. Smaller companies, which typically don’t have dedicated IT and cybersecurity departments themselves, are solving the problem with outsourcing, but the skills gap will remain a growing problem for the foreseeable future.
Solution Partner offers proactive and reliable technical support and cybersecurity solutions to help your business grow without adding risk. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
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