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Cybersecurity

5 Cyber Security Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2021

Because few people foresaw the dramatic developments of the past year, cybersecurity experts clarified several cybersecurity trends that persisted or even increased amid global uncertainty.

Published

3 years ago

April 6, 2021

TwinzTech

5 Cyber Security Trends You Can not Ignore

Because few people foresaw the dramatic developments of the past year, cybersecurity experts clarified several cybersecurity trends that persisted or even increased amid global uncertainty.

This story will dive into several cybersecurity trends that pose a considerable potential risk in 2021 and provide practical advice to help entities minimize overall risks.

For most tech corporations, the first quarter of 2021 is just another cybersecurity crossroad. Currently, they’re shifting staff back into the office and managing the risks and the outcomes of WFH policies at the same time.

For cybercriminals, on the other hand, this opens a door.

We’ve seen how the proliferation of remote work has resulted in undetected security susceptibilities, which will impact the corporate world in the months ahead. But it’s not all bad news.

This year should also bring new automation opportunities to help companies in the ongoing struggle to more with less. But before that, let’s explain how these cybersecurity threats impact individuals and companies alike and what you can do to be more digitally secure.

Table of Contents

1. Lockdown Defines the New Business Style

As companies have shifted their employees to flexible models or full-time work from home models, so have the attack areas. Cybercriminals take advantage of current events and shifting circumstances to exploit those who are the most susceptible.

There is a big chance you have already come across a text message or email scam linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. That, or countless charity agencies that claim to be supporting front-line employees. Or even worse, those who pretend to sell essentials like protective masks, hand sanitisers, or food.

The concerning truth is that cybercrime as a whole has peaked at 600 per cent since the outburst of the global pandemic.

There’s a ruling uncertainty that doesn’t seem to end. As we continue to wait for the future of the pandemic and restrictions, the only certain thing is cybercrime.

Restrictions have permanently altered the business space, but shockingly, productivity has increased by 47 per cent YOY despite WFH policies. That, however, is another reason for the corporate world to discuss security needs.

4 Key Things to Consider When Testing a Mobile Application

2. Ransomware – All-Time High

Expect to see the ongoing growth of ransomware and monetization of exploits throughout the year. As increasingly more businesses were forced to apply WFH policies for all employees, many loosened their infrastructure and created security gaps or invitations for hackers to exploit what they wish. This famous malware made history last year, contributing to the first reported death linked to a cyber-attack.

Industry trends don’t look that peaceful either. In a 582 information security experts survey, 50 per cent say they don’t believe their company is prepared to battle ransomware attacks.

The Healthcare industry is one of the hardest hit and most susceptible industries because:

PHI or Personal Health Information can sell hundreds of dollars per record, and it’s typically sold again to cybercriminals.
Their security systems are mostly driven by compliance and not by proper security measures.

3. Supply Chains – Successful But at What Cost

Solar Wind’s case leads by example, but not in the good sense. Their recent security failure brought global attention to companies’ need to make cybersecurity a top priority for the years that follow.

In this case, an advanced supply chain attack impacted more than 18,000 clients, including fortune 500 businesses and government agencies.

Reports show that 50 per cent of cyber attacks today target the networks and those linked to the supply chain platforms.

Supply chain attacks on open-source software also surged by 430%, according to a Sonatype report. With this deeply rooted in your head and systems, it doesn’t matter how steady your cybersecurity measures are if your vendors have been compromised.

Once hackers have entered your network, they will try to move laterally to reach their privileges and gain control of your system. Or, as in most cases, they will hibernate for months to years at a time, collecting and exfiltrating data.
To eliminate or at least reduce such threats, most WFH employees or shoppers rely on obfuscated servers to bypass strict censorship and remain private while using retail platforms.

Mobile app for business

4. MFA Use Will Escalate

Given the peaking cases of cybersecurity threats, it comes as no surprise that multi-factor authentication is now seen as the gold standard.

Tech giants like Microsoft advised users to stop using device-based MFA and instead endorse using app-based authenticators and security keys.

The traditional SMS may come in handy. However, these messages don’t seem to be encrypted. This only allows threat actors to automatically undergo the middle attack and access the one-time passcode in a second.

Online banking is an example of such risks. Recent reports showed that a massive banking fraud operation compromised more than 16,000 devices, causing over 11 million damages.

With cases like this lying on top of their minds, organizations will shift towards application-based multi-factor authentication like Google Authenticator whenever possible.

5. More Cyber Security Disputes Will Follow

It took one massive data breach crisis for the government and private sector to start a dispute. Many would say the Cold War of cybersecurity was already here, but this could lead to something greater.

The recent data breach crisis has prevalent implications but currently can only be speculated on. It’s a matter of time until the true impact of this attack will be uncovered.

As far as we know, the U.S government agencies were targeted along with other less privileged organizations using the famous monitoring platform, SolarWinds. The chances are that in 2021, considerable improvements will be made into advancing government IT systems, and different types of retaliation will partake.

Take China; they started to requalify their army in cybersecurity schools, with goals to become the world’s leader by 2027.

As cybersecurity warfare seems to advance, it’s clear as daylight that cybersecurity experts will become more valued than building nuclear weapons.

Cybersecurity

Harnessing AI for Proactive Threat Detection and Response

This is where harnessing the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for proactive threat detection and response plays a pivotal role.

Published

1 week ago

April 12, 2024

TwinzTech

CYBER SECURITY Business technology Antivirus Alert Protection Security and Cyber Security Firewall Cybersecurity and information technology

Data is the new currency, which means that the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. As organizations navigate through the complexities of hybrid cloud environments, ensuring the security of sensitive information has become a top priority. This is where harnessing the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for proactive threat detection and response plays a pivotal role.

Table of Contents

1. The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

AI has revolutionized the cybersecurity landscape by enabling organizations to stay one step ahead of cyber threats. Traditional security approaches often relied on reactive measures, responding to incidents after they occurred. However, with AI-driven solutions, businesses can adopt a proactive stance, anticipating and mitigating potential threats before they escalate.

a. Real-Time Data Analysis

Central to AI’s transformative impact on cybersecurity is its unparalleled capability for real-time data analysis. Unlike traditional security approaches that struggle to keep pace with the exponential growth of data, AI excels at processing vast amounts of information instantaneously. This includes but is not limited to, network traffic patterns, user behavior across digital platforms, and identifying subtle system anomalies that could signify a looming threat.

b. Machine Learning Algorithms

At the heart of AI-driven cybersecurity lies sophisticated machine learning algorithms. These algorithms are designed to continuously learn and adapt based on evolving data patterns. By leveraging historical data and employing advanced statistical analysis, AI can discern nuanced patterns indicative of malicious activities. This proactive pattern recognition allows AI to flag potential threats for immediate investigation, often before human analysts would even detect them.

c. Anticipating Threats

The proactive nature of AI-driven cybersecurity is a game-changer. Rather than waiting for cyber threats to manifest and then reacting, AI takes a preemptive approach. It anticipates potential threats based on behavioral anomalies, anomalous network activities, or deviations from established patterns of system behavior. This anticipatory capability not only reduces response times but also enables organizations to neutralize threats in their nascent stages, preventing widespread damage and data breaches.

d. Reducing Response Times

One of the most significant advantages of AI in cybersecurity is its ability to reduce response times exponentially. Traditional incident response protocols often involved manual analysis and decision-making processes, leading to delays that cyber adversaries could exploit.

In contrast, AI-driven solutions can analyze and prioritize threats in milliseconds, allowing security teams to respond with speed and precision. This swift response capability is crucial in containing cyberattacks and minimizing their impact on business operations.

2. Securing Data Across Environments

In the context of hybrid cloud security, where data is distributed across on-premises infrastructure and multiple cloud environments, AI becomes indispensable. The dynamic nature of hybrid cloud architectures necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptive security measures. AI-powered solutions excel in this domain, offering comprehensive visibility and threat intelligence across the entire hybrid infrastructure.

Imagine a scenario where an organization detects unusual network activity through AI-driven analytics. In the middle of a bustling workday, an anomaly is detected—a seemingly innocuous spike in data transfer rates. Unbeknownst to the users, this could be an early indicator of a potential breach or unauthorized access attempt.

Here’s where the concept of hybrid cloud security seamlessly integrates into the narrative: The AI system, equipped with sophisticated anomaly detection algorithms, immediately raises an alert. Security teams are promptly notified, allowing them to investigate the incident in real-time.

Through advanced correlation and contextual analysis, the AI system determines the origin of the anomaly—an unauthorized access attempt originating from a compromised endpoint within the hybrid cloud environment.

Armed with this actionable intelligence, security personnel swiftly respond, isolating the affected endpoint and neutralizing the threat before it can escalate further. This proactive strategy not only safeguards critical data but also prevents potential disruptions to business operations.

3. Predictive Security Posture

Furthermore, AI-driven threat intelligence extends beyond conventional security measures. It empowers organizations to adopt a predictive security posture, forecasting potential threats based on historical data and emerging trends. By leveraging predictive analytics, businesses can preemptively strengthen their defenses. This helps them address vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors.

AI’s predictive capabilities are rooted in its ability to harness and analyze vast amounts of historical data. By delving deep into past incidents, attack patterns, and security breaches, AI can identify recurring trends and vulnerabilities. This retrospective analysis forms the foundation for predictive modeling, enabling organizations to focus on potential weak points in their cybersecurity infrastructure.

In addition to historical data, AI-driven threat intelligence also focuses on analyzing emerging trends in the cybersecurity landscape. This includes monitoring industry-specific threats, tracking global cyber-attack trends, and staying updated on evolving tactics employed by malicious actors. By synthesizing this real-time threat data, AI equips organizations with actionable insights to preemptively strengthen their defenses against emerging threats.

4. Benefits and Advantages

The synergy between AI and cloud security is evident in its multifaceted benefits. It streamlines security operations, enhances threat visibility, and augments incident response capabilities. Moreover, AI-driven solutions adapt to evolving threat landscapes, continuously learning and improving their detection mechanisms.

The seamless convergence of AI-driven threat detection with comprehensive visibility into hybrid infrastructures ensures a proactive and resilient defense posture.

5. Embracing Innovation with Resilience

The era of proactive threat detection and response powered by AI has arrived. Organizations leveraging AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, coupled with robust security strategies, are poised to navigate the cybersecurity landscape with confidence. By harnessing the collective strengths of AI and hybrid cloud security, businesses can safeguard their digital assets and embrace innovation with resilience.