Every year brings a new wave of emerging attack vectors, technologies, and best practices. While technological advancement is widely celebrated, it’s also instantly adopted by malicious threat actors. The constantly evolving cybersecurity landscape and rapid technological advancements make it impossible to escape the merry-go-round of new threats and vulnerabilities.
As we enter 2024, the world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging to combat the latest threats. In this blog post, we will explore seven cybersecurity trends that are set to command in 2024.
From the rise of artificial intelligence to the growing importance of zero-trust security, we will examine the latest developments in the field of cybersecurity and their potential impact on our online safety. Whether you’re a business owner or simply interested in protecting your data, understanding these trends can help you stay ahead of the curve and ensure your online activities are secure.
6 Cybersecurity Trends of 2024 to Look Out for
So, let’s dive in and look at the top cybersecurity trends for 2024.
1. Zero-trust and the elimination of implicit trust
Traditional security models operate on the assumption that “everything within the network is trustworthy.” Any new user entering the network can easily access and exfiltrate any data. Zero-trust architecture puts an end to such practices.
Zero-trust architecture requires constant verification and authentication of all devices, users, and applications accessing a network or system. This model operates under the assumption that every access request could potentially be an attack, and thus it is necessary to verify and authenticate each request before granting access. It provides a comprehensive security solution that reduces the chances of unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyberattacks.
A zero-trust architecture involves the deployment of multiple security measures and technologies, including:
- identity and access management
- multifactor authentication
- encryption
- network segmentation
- continuous monitoring
These measures work together to ensure that only authorized devices, users, and applications are granted access to the network or system.
One of the key benefits of a zero-trust architecture is that it eliminates the notion of a trusted network perimeter. Instead, every user and device are treated as a potential danger until it can be authenticated and authorized to access the network. This means that even if a user or device is within the network perimeter, they still need to be verified and authenticated before being granted access to sensitive data or applications.
2. The rise of Artificial Intelligence and AI/ML integration
Advanced automation and integration of AI/ML technologies have become essential in modern cybersecurity due to the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. These technologies are used to automate security processes and improve threat detection, response, and remediation.
One of the key benefits of advanced automation and integration of AI/ML technologies in cybersecurity is the ability to detect and respond to threats in real time. With the increasing number of cyberattacks, it is essential to have an automated system that can detect and respond to threats quickly and accurately. AI/ML technologies can help identify patterns and anomalies in data indicative of potential threats, allowing security teams to respond proactively and prevent data breaches.
There is also a dark side to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The advent of OpenAI tools like ChatGPT has given non-coders access to destructive knowledge. Even inexperienced attackers can produce a malicious script to infect a system without much effort.
The only way to ensure that the rise of AI technology doesn’t backfire on us is to adopt the new developments wholeheartedly.
3. Expansion of the attack surface with IoT vulnerabilities
As more devices connect to the internet, the potential attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit also expands. IoT devices are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their limited processing power, lack of security features, and the diversity of platforms and protocols used in their development.
The high complexity of IoT devices makes them difficult to secure, and they often have numerous vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. These vulnerabilities include weak authentication mechanisms, unsecured communication protocols, and insufficient data encryption.
Cybercriminals can exploit these vulnerabilities to access sensitive data, disrupt operations, or launch attacks on other systems or networks. For example, attackers can use compromised IoT devices to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, steal data, or take control of critical infrastructure systems.
To mitigate this risk, organizations need to adopt a multi-layered approach that focuses on inclusive endpoint security, DevSecOps, and integration of cybersecurity mechanisms at the fundamental stage of IoT device development. This approach requires cybersecurity and IoT development expertise, making it challenging to implement effectively.
Suggested reading: 11 Tips To Keep Your Business Safe From Cyberattacks (acecloudhosting.com)
4. The threat of human-operated Ransomware and RaaS
Cybersecurity threats have been alarmingly rising in recent years, with human-operated Ransomware and Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) being two of the most significant concerns.
Human-operated Ransomware attacks involve highly skilled cybercriminals who use advanced techniques to gain access to a victim’s network. These attacks typically involve social engineering, where the attacker tricks an employee into downloading a malicious file or visiting a compromised website. Once inside the network, the attacker will move laterally, compromising other systems and encrypting files. The attackers will then demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key, often threatening to publish sensitive information if the victim does not comply.
Ransomware-as-a-Service, or RaaS, is a business model where the Ransomware developer rents out their malware to other cybercriminals. This allows less-skilled attackers to launch sophisticated Ransomware attacks without needing to develop the malware themselves.
RaaS has led to a significant increase in Ransomware attacks in recent years, as it lowers the barrier to entry for cybercriminals. Human-operated Ransomware and RaaS pose significant threats to organizations, as they can cause extensive damage and lead to substantial financial losses.
To protect against these threats, organizations should implement robust cybersecurity measures, including multi-factor authentication, regular data backups, and employee training on identifying and avoiding phishing attacks. It is also crucial for organizations to have an incident response plan in place to minimize the impact of a Ransomware attack if it does occur.
5. Increased focus on user awareness
Even in 2024, 97% of people can’t identify a phishing email. How can you implement robust cybersecurity measures if the human factor is still weak? No technology can cover human error.
One of the main reasons user awareness is so important is that most cyberattacks rely on human error or ignorance to succeed. According to the 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 85% of successful data breaches involved human interaction, such as clicking on a malicious link or opening a phishing email.
Overall, user awareness is critical to maintaining cybersecurity in today’s digital age. By understanding the risks and taking simple steps to protect sensitive information, individuals and organizations can greatly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to a cyberattack.
6. Outsourced cybersecurity and third-party risk management
Outsourcing cybersecurity services has become common for businesses looking to enhance their security posture while reducing costs. With the growing sophistication of cyber threats and limited resources available to many organizations, outsourcing can provide access to specialized expertise and advanced technologies.
However, outsourcing also introduces third-party risks that must be managed. The security of the outsourced services and the security practices of the third-party provider must be assessed and monitored regularly to ensure that they meet your organization’s security requirements.
Effective third-party risk management can help organizations reduce the likelihood and impact of security incidents caused by third-party service providers. It also helps to ensure that sensitive data and intellectual property are adequately protected, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations is maintained.
Outsourcing cybersecurity can be an effective strategy to enhance an organization’s security posture. However, it must be accompanied by effective third-party risk management to ensure that the outsourced services and third-party providers do not introduce new risks to the organization’s security.
The Future Belongs to Managed Cybersecurity
While many things are changing in the world of cybersecurity, the fundamentals remain the same. New technology and devices are expanding the attack surface. At the same time, technological developments like AI/ML are being used to automate detection and response. They are two sides of the same coin.
Keeping up with changing trends is difficult for organizations, especially with limited budgets and other business areas to focus on. Enter: ACE Managed Security Services!
Managed security service providers, like ACE MSS, pride themselves on staying ahead. With a trusted MSSP partner, you can rest assured that new cybersecurity solutions or attack practices don’t take your business by surprise.
Get a zero-cost ACE security consultation to find out if your organization’s security posture is updated against the latest threat. Receive a detailed report on the health of your current cybersecurity environment and find out the potential risks. The only way to stay protected is to stay informed!
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