We are already far into the New year and with it are coming new developments in cybersecurity. 2017 was an exciting year for the cybersecurity industry, and as its growth is bound to continue into 2018, there are plenty of things you need to watch out for. Here, we are going to go over the major ones.
-
AI Attacks
Artificial intelligence has now entered the mainstream and there is an abundance of free and commercial AI solutions. It was only a matter of time until cybercriminals dived on to the AI trend.
Well, now, they have. AI software can learn from past events in order to help predict and identify cybersecurity threats. AI is used by almost 87% of the US based cybersecurity professionals. However, it is a double-edged sword because hackers can easily use AI to launch sophisticated cyber attacks.
It can, for example, be used to automate the collection of certain information which can be sourced from public domain support forums, code anks and social media platforms.
-
Ransomware and IoT
The Internet of Things ransomware is not making headlines yet, because IoT typically does not store valuable data. But we should still not underestimate the potential for IoT ransomware to damage devices. For example, critical systems relying on IoT, such as power grids, can fall victim to cybercriminals.
If a cybercriminal was to gain hold of a grid and the ransom was not paid, they could shut down the grid. Other IoT risks include smart cars, smart home appliances and production lines.
-
Multi-factor Authentication
63% of data breaches involve leveraging weak, stolen or default passwords. This is because many organizations are still using a single-factor authentication, which only relies on the use of a password.
Companies tend to shy away from implementing multi-factor authentication because they think it can damage the user experience. But there is a growing awareness of password theft and, as such, it is likely that we will see a number of companies and websites implementing multi factor authentication as standard.
-
Adoption of Advanced Cybersecurity Tech
There are many new cybersecurity technologies emerging which we will probably see a wider adoption of in 2018. For example, the use of remote browsers can be useful to isolate your user’s browsing session from the main network.
Speaking of networks, deploying an encrypted VPN can be much more efficient deterrent than a single firewall and antivirus, keeping malware and sniffing well out of striking distance.
Also, dispersion technologies which imitate a company’s most valuable assets act as a honeypot trap for attackers trying to steal the data.
Plus, there will be developments in the use of technologies which can detect and respond to strange behaviour. Endpoint Detection Response systems can monitor endpoints and alert system security admins of suspicious behaviour. Also, network traffic analysis can be used to determine the type, size and origin of data packets, helping to prevent DDoS attacks which can bring down entire networks.
Cybersecurity is a serious industry and is worth over $120 billion. We will only see it grow in the years to come. If you want to learn more about cybercrime and cybersecurity, check out our infographic below.
-By Guest writer