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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

2 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

6 Tips to Advance Your Cybersecurity Career In 2023

Cybersecurity is a specialized field. We’ll share some valuable tips to advance your cybersecurity career in 2023

Published

2 months ago

August 15, 2023

TwinzTech

6 Tips to Advance Your Cybersecurity Career

Cybersecurity is a highly in-demand field with a vast scope for growth, opportunities, and scalability. But it’s a technical and sophisticated field. Success in this occupation depends on in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience, relevant skills, and constant improvement. If you’re inefficient in these areas, you might face career stagnation.

Advancing your career in today’s time has become relatively easier, given the plethora of resources and development avenues. Nonetheless, identifying which routes align with your career advancement prospects can seem challenging. If you belong to the cybersecurity landscape, accelerating career advancement might seem time-consuming, but with the right tips, you’ll attain heights of success in no time.

Below, we’ll share some valuable tips to advance your cybersecurity career in 2023:

Table of Contents

1. Advance Academically

Cybersecurity is a specialized field. As such, aspirants are required to go through a lengthy and extensive academic process to set foot in this sector. A bachelor’s degree will enhance your foundation knowledge and skills, including computer science, information technology, security networks, security threats and assessment, and operating systems.

Comparatively, a master’s degree explores the depths of cybersecurity. You’ll learn about security concepts and applications, cyberspace vulnerabilities and threats, cybersecurity laws and policies, defensive cybersecurity technologies, and network and system administration. Therefore, if you want to excel in your career, earning a higher degree, such as a master’s, is crucial.

Advanced education also provides you with an edge, honing essential skills and capabilities essential to your field. If you’re planning to earn a higher degree alongside work, a master in cyber security online program can prove invaluable. Online masters allow you to manage work and academic responsibilities simultaneously. This way, you’ll be able to propel your career advancement without compromising your professional life.

2. Acquire And Refine Practical Skills

Formal education in cybersecurity offers foundational knowledge and enables you to acquire an entry-level job. But higher-level positions require more refinement and training. With bookish knowledge and limited practical exposure, you cannot tackle this complex and evolving field. Even stringent rules and regulations lay infective in this borderless cyber realm.

Cybercriminals and hackers have become intelligent and innovative with their tricks and techniques. They have learned to bypass, dodge, and crack traditional security countermeasures. Studies show that cyber-attacks increased by 38% in 2022 than the previous year. And each passing year heightens the gravity of cybercrime. So, with beginner-level knowledge and less work exposure, you cannot safeguard your organization or protect digital assets.

Upskilling and reskilling are crucial to remain competitive in the cybersecurity field. Problem-solving, risk assessment, network management, information technology, and network penetration and testing are essential skills. Alongside these, security compliance, cloud computing, and ethical hacking are the most in-demand skills for cybersecurity specialists.

3. Learn And Polish Computer Programming Languages

Computer programming for cybersecurity aspirants is as essential as learning a language in school. You must learn to operate and interact with computers to understand, interpret, manage, and prevent security issues.

Basic training starts with proficiency in C, C++, and Java. But complexity increases as you advance academically and occupationally. For expert-level knowledge and a comprehensive grip on your domain of expertise, you must learn HTML, JavaScript, SQL, PHP, Python, and PowerShell. The more diverse your toolkit and skillset, the better you can understand and manage technical issues.

Cybersecurity

This approach will also diversify your career paths as you interact with clients. So, flex your hands on some coding whenever you have time if you have long-term ambitions. The good news is that you can learn almost all computer programming languages without spending a penny. You can find countless online resources to learn a new coding language from scratch.

4. Participate In Boot Camps

Since cybersecurity is evolving rapidly, constant improvement is necessary to stay updated. So, if you lack expertise in a particular skill or want to expand your horizons, join boot camps for rapid pace training. Boot camps are training opportunities with a practical focus and narrow scope, where you can learn or polish particular skills. You can participate as an instructor or learner. Either way, you can get diverse exposure and learn from other participants.

Information exchange will enable you to widen your knowledge and understanding of cybersecurity, cyberspace threats, and countermeasures. You will answer or listen to the perspectives of newcomers, aspirants, and cybersecurity specialists. Newcomers and aspirants are more keen and curious about the recent developments that even experts can miss. Their curiosity, questions, and knowledge compel you to think from another perspective and bring innovation to your approach or solutions.

5. Earn Relevant Certifications

While not as effective as a master’s degree, certifications still prove worthwhile. Certification courses are a cost-effective approach to acquiring advanced-level knowledge in no time. Certifications enable you to develop a comprehensive profile for an advanced career position or divert your focus to a specific cybersecurity niche.

For instance, with a Certified Ethical Hacker credential, you can boost your career from an entry-level position to a security investigator, forensics investigator, web security administrator, system security manager, or penetration tester. The more certifications you earn, the more possibilities for career growth.

6. Get Industry Exposure

Industry exposure is a prerequisite for almost every profession. Employers ask for practical exposure even for positions like instructor, teacher, content manager, research analyst, or product developer. Survival in a highly technical occupation like cybersecurity is challenging without exposure and hands-on experience. That’s because cybersecurity issues vary from industry to industry and company to company. The security needs of different firms also diverge over time. Some have phishing problems, while others have espionage issues.

Espionage, malware, ransomware, phishing, insider threat, crypto-jacking, or intellectual property theft may come under the cybersecurity umbrella but require different strategies and countermeasures. So, with your limited knowledge and expertise, you cannot be their evergreen problem-solver. You must possess comprehensive knowledge to become an all-rounded expert. Staying glued to your computer screen for better coding skills is not the only efficient way to innovate sustainable security solutions for your clients. You must learn and explore how security threats evolve and refine your skillset accordingly.

Hence, take the initiative and expose yourself to diverse experiences. Collaborate with other specialists and organizations to understand cybersecurity and cyberspace threats in depth. The more you engage, the faster you’ll learn about innovations and challenges in your field.

Conclusion

Since the job market has become competitive, you cannot survive without upskilling and reskilling. Unqualified and unskilled individuals often fail to maintain an edge in such evolving fields. If you seek career advancement, especially in a rapidly transforming field like cybersecurity, you need to focus on skill development. Earning a higher degree, such as a master’s in cybersecurity, is the best, most viable approach to accelerate career advancement. Through a higher degree, you’re able to hone essential cybersecurity skills and remain on top of changing industry trends and norms. Similarly, industry exposure and learning programming languages will also serve in your favor.