From changing international dynamics to a worsening economy, last year brought anything but stability and predictability. Despite whatever may have improved and started the year on a positive note, cybersecurity is the exception, witnessing some unforeseen twists.
As businesses are well into their cybersecurity plan development for this year with blockchain solution implementations and big data embracement, among other advancements, this is the moment to throw a glance over the shoulder and extrapolate what we can expect from tomorrow. Blockchain has long been here with inventions like digital money, that gained momentum and keep promising a palpitating future, endorsed by favorable elements such as the development of Ethereum and its price point rise. At the same time, quantum computing is bringing both advantages and risks of extended lengths that will create room for professionals and malicious actors to explore and use this technology for their benefit.
Last year commenced with GenAI making the news headlines and delivering so many use cases that the space and possibilities for malicious activities could only expand. With a ChatGPT data breach emphasizing the current risks and professionals ramping up their AI tech knowledge and skills to remain relevant in their attack prevention efforts, we can only conclude that cybersecurity will take us on the mightiest rollercoaster to date. So, what are the consequent months cooking in the oven for our cybersecurity?
Quantum computing will bring both development opportunities and perils
Once captive in theoretical discussions, quantum computing has broken free and into the current business landscape, being on the cusp of revolutionizing everything digital. Quantum computers use qubits, also known as quantum bits, to carry out difficult calculations at the speed of light, compared to classical computing, which employs bits and slows down the solution process.
Another era of computing with deep roots in every industry is on the cusp of arising, witnessing quantum computing disrupt different sectors and giving technological innovation a new meaning. This technology can represent both 0 and 1, as well as the two of them simultaneously, thanks to entanglement and superposition principles, speeding up the solution of tricky calculations.
This sector has gained so much traction that a recent study from global mammoth McKinsey has pinned it as one of the largest tech trends of the moment. This niche alone is predicted by the international data analysis company to value around $1.3TN by the middle of the upcoming decade. While it can be a reason to rejoice, its continuous advancement can pose threats to momentous cybersecurity protocols, as it can rapidly break conventional encryption means like ECC and RSA. The existent perils can make many current security mechanisms vulnerable, which will call for the development of quantum-proof encryption systems – a sector also mentioned as post-quantum cryptography.
GenAI on the haunt for upskilled security analysts
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are nothing new under the sun, being employed for years by businesses for their potential to scale their operations up and bring customers closer. The commencement of generative AI, or genAI, will open the room for the need and opportunity to optimize the human element in security in new ways. It’s expected that over the upcoming years, genAI will start replacing security teams in several areas, such as the completion of time-consuming, repetitive tasks. At the same time, they will assist newbies in security teams to engage in harder, next-level operations.
For instance, we can expect genAI to gain traction in the technical content translation of data like analysis output or machine-driven log data into easy-digestible language that can be used by newcoming employees. By congregating the current workflows with the new genAI, businesses won’t just save time on teams’ behalf but also empower them to undertake more demanding tasks.
Mobile security attracts increasing attention
As the mobile adoption rates are only going upward, being predicted to hit 92% by the end of the decade from a previous 76% two years ago, it’s clear what another cybersecurity trend will be in the upcoming period. Mobile devices gain larger and larger shares of people’s time, money, and interest, demonstrating that attackers seeking their treasure troves in this area will have plenty of opportunities to binge.
The larger reliance on mobile devices for everyday tasks led to the need for stronger mobile security strategies, which is where experts come up with practical, easily accessible solutions. A widespread and advancing creation is platforms tailored to safeguard distant access from smart devices to networks and computers. One of the main and best modern features of these advancements is the robust encryption protocols, guaranteeing that devices’ mutual data transmission is uncompromised. Such a setting is essential in forbidding illegal access and tracking any dubious activity that could happen while the remote session is on.
Supply-chain attacks may test the resistance of CI/CD systems
As per a study conducted by AI-fueled cybersecurity platform, Trend Micro, ransomware attacks targeted around 52% of international enterprises’ supply chains. CI/CD (continuous integration/continuous delivery) software is especially tempting for attackers because it unlocks the door to reach many susceptible victims through island hopping. Ambitious hackers breaking such software in a specific pipeline may infuse malicious code, compromising the entire IT infrastructure and making victims across almost every connected unit.
Supply chain attacks become, thus, another cybersecurity hot topic to pay heed to this year.
Less than zero trust
The core concept of zero trust advances in complexity and witnesses increasing integration in business strategies. Zero trust comes down to the safeguarding of every perimeter where network activity can unfold, ensuring there’s no single point of failure to be used by malicious actors.
According to Thomas Hutin, head of cybersecurity at French FTI Consulting company, the zero-trust architecture security advancement will be everywhere this year. Organizations are shifting their focus from conventional perimeter-oriented security to zero-trust approaches, checking all the users and devices trying to use their applications, networks, and data. This year, zero trust will tackle security practices where every external or internal participant will be deeply verified before getting onboard and onto the network. It’s the continuous sophistication of malevolent actors that will push increasing organizations to treat cybersecurity as seriously as possible.
To conclude with
400 attacks occurred in March of last year, local governments saw 34 attempts at their databases, and many more events took place that made everyone pay heed to the perils of technology on our cybersecurity. The trends above begin to dominate the stage this year, so before we can draw any conclusion, it’s essential to start by acknowledging them and using them to our benefit, shielding our data from the outer cybersecurity perils.
