We've come a long way since 2022. Some cybersecurity trends have stayed the same, some have become even more relevant and some are totally new trends. Here are our top 10 cybersecurity trends of 2023.
1. Remote work and cybersecurity
Since the onset of the pandemic, many companies have begun allowing their employees to work from home. Now this has changed to a hybrid work environment. This means more employees are using corporate devices in their home offices. They are also using more cloud environments to access corporate resources. Before the pandemic, it was simple to regularly check and up-date company laptops and smartphones. This made it easy to ensure that these laptops were free of malware and had the latest versions of antivirus software. Now there is a greater chance that these corporate devices are not secured. This can cause employees to fall victim to a phishing attack. These types of attacks entice users to reveal information via e-mail. Employees are more likely to fall for this type of impersonation scam when working remotely in teams where they do not know each other very well.
Cloud Security
In the last two years, there has been an increase in remote work and, consequently, an increase in demand for cloud solutions. These solutions offer excellent services for businesses, such as greater scalability and cost efficiency. But these solutions do not offer secure authentication or audit logging. This makes them a prime target for cybercriminals, and it also leaves a lot of room for human error. All businesses should think about taking steps to protect the cloud.
2. Integrated security for Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things means that more and more devices are being connected to the network. Which means that attackers can use more potential doors to access our data. Analysts at Gartner predict there will be 43 billion IoT devices in the world by 2023. This growth in IoT devices has increased the opportunities for cybercriminals to launch cyberattacks and data breaches. Internet of Things devices can range from smart wearables to home appliances, cars, building alarm systems and industrial machinery. These devices are often a cause of concern for cybersecurity experts. Because they were not usually used to store data directly, manufacturers have not always focused on securing them with frequent patches and updates. This has changed, however, these devices have begun to store data. Often, hackers can find ways to use these devices as gateways to devices that provide access to the network. Security problems such as DoS (Denial-of-Service) or hacked devices continue to plague most IoT devices today. As the number of Internet of Things devices increases, so does the threat to your corporate network.
3. Attacks on mobile devices
Mobile device technology continues to evolve. Mobile security often surpasses the security of baby carriage PCs and vulnerable servers But phones are still computers and the people who operate them are still a weak link. 5G, NFC and other new mobile technologies make it easier for attackers to hack your mobile device. Moreover, remote working has made employees more dependent on their mobile devices to communicate with each other and connect to the corporate network. Attackers have also realized this and have begun to make mobile devices their targets. These devices store vast amounts of sensitive information. Organizations need to add additional layers of security to mobile devices. Hackers' attack methods are also becoming more inventive due to the current pace of digital transformation.
5G
Even the most widely used browser in the world, Chrome, was found to have serious bugs. 5G is fairly new compared to Chrome, so you can imagine that a lot of research is needed to find loopholes to secure the system from external threats. This could cause a plethora of network attacks that we may not be aware of.
4. Cybersecurity awareness
97% of people with access to the Internet still cannot determine if an e-mail is a phishing e-mail. Many people will click on a phishing email and become victims of cyber attacks. This shows that there is a huge need for awareness and education to identify theft and network hacks. Fortunately, many companies are already going beyond implementing strong firewalls and IT protocols. The most important step in the fight against cybercrime is fostering an awareness culture around cybersecurity issues. It is no longer good enough to simply view cybersecurity as a problem that only the IT department should take care of.Developing awareness of threats and taking basic precautions to ensure security should be a fundamental part of everyone's job description. Companies need to train and equip their employees with these skills to combat cyber attacks. They should also focus more on how employees share and process confidential information. A particularly dangerous attack is the phishing attack that uses social engineering methods to trick users. You don't need technical skills to learn to become aware of this type of attack and take precautions to avoid becoming a victim. Other basic skills such as the secure use of passwords and understanding 2-step verification (2FA) should be taught to every employee. Any company looking to build resilience and preparedness over the next 12 months should promote a culture of cybersecurity awareness as a core element of their business strategy.
5. Cybersecurity and data privacy
Modern data privacy laws will protect almost all of the world's personal information in the future. But right now, data is still one of the biggest concerns for organizations. Protecting digital data should be the primary goal of any individual or organization. Any error or bug in your browser or software is a potential security hole that hackers can use to gain access to personal data. This is why the GDPR was created. The GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation is a European data protection law that gives people more control over their own personal information. It has forced companies to review data privacy.While this law is the brainchild of the EU, it also has major implications for data protection requirements around the world. Similarly, there is the KVKK, Turkey's data privacy law; the LGPD, Brazil's data privacy law; and the CCPA, California's consumer privacy law. The general consensus of these laws is that you will administer multiple data protection laws in different jurisdictions and customers will know what kind of data you collect from them and how it is used. This also means you should focus on automating your data privacy management system. It's also best to add this to your overall cybersecurity plan.
6. Targeted attacks on the educational, financial and health care sectors
Geographically targeted phishing attacks
A phishing attack is still one of the most serious security risks on the Internet. Most of the population is at risk of falling prey to phishing. These phishing emails and dangerous URLs still occur on the Internet, but they are now much more sophisticated. They are tailored and geographically targeted. Cybercriminals are getting better at coming up with ways to create business emails that can fool even experts. This is why businesses need to invest more time and energy in cybersecurity awareness programs.
Targeted ransomware
Another targeted attack is the targeted ransomware attack. In this case, ransomware is used to hack certain industries that rely heavily on specific software to carry out their daily operations. An example of this type of attack is the WannaCry attack on National Health Service hospitals in Scotland, affecting more than 70,000 medical devices. In 2022 the number of ransomware attacks were at record levels, but in 2023 there will be a slight decrease in the number of ransomware attacks.This does not mean that cybercriminals are doing nothing. They will continue to professionalize their operations and focus on more valuable targets. These targets include the educational, financial and healthcare sectors because they work with highly personal data. The ransomware attack has a serious impact on those affected and makes organizations non-operational for days or weeks. Other consequences of this attack include high costs and reputational damage. You must do everything possible to avoid this attack.
7. Government-sponsored attacks.
When there is war or elections, there is an increase in cyber attacks. Cyber espionage and sabotage are used to undermine other governments or gain access to classified information. It is possible that businesses and nongovernmental organizations will be targeted by attackers acting on behalf of a government agency. For example, the WannaCry ransomware attack was possibly perpetrated by hackers linked to the government of North Korea. This has made many governments suspicious. Security agencies around the world believe that hundreds of thousands of attacks on servers can be traced to foreign governments.You should be especially careful if your organization is connected to your government because more than 70 countries will hold elections in 2023. This will trigger attacks from hostile foreign agencies in the form of cyber attacks on IT infrastructure. Cyber warfare will become a key element in future armed conflicts. In the war between Russia and Ukraine, we have already noticed that digital is almost as important as ground combat.
8. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
Artificial intelligence or artificial intelligence will be a huge trend in 2023, both for defense and attackers. It has become increasingly difficult for experts to respond to all cyber attacks and predict where the most dangerous attacks will occur. Artificial intelligence comes into play here. Machine learning algorithms can examine the data moving across networks in real-time far more effectively than humans ever could. These algorithms learn to recognize patterns that indicate a threat.Unfortunately, this means that hackers are also getting better at using AI. They use artificial intelligence to identify systems with weak security or systems likely to contain valuable information. AI can also be used to create a host of phishing emails designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information. In this way, attackers are getting better at bypassing automated e-mail defense systems that filter out this type of e-mail. Artificial intelligence can even be used to clone the voice of senior executives and authorize fraudulent transactions. It is literally a race of good against bad. Investing in AI solutions is not a bad idea. It makes various processes easier, more efficient, less costly and it helps prevent similar attacks in the future.
9. Automotive hacking
Modern vehicles have many advantages, such as seamless driver connectivity, cruise control, engine timing, door locking, airbags and advanced assistance systems. However, technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi make these vehicles vulnerable to hackers. Automated vehicles will become more common by 2023. This also means more microphones will be used for eavesdropping. Even more dangerous are self-driving vehicles. These vehicles require even more stringent cybersecurity measures.
