The Future of Cybersecurity: Emerging Trends and Technologies
8th September 2018. This was the day when Marriott, one of the most prominent hotel chains in the world, announced some disturbing news. One of its reservation systems had been compromised!
If you have the slightest idea of what this means, you’d know that “disturbing” is a small word for this news. Let’s crackdown on what exactly happened to paint a clearer picture. In 2018, the compromise meant that hackers had gained access to hundreds of millions of customer records in the Marriott database. This included passport numbers and credit card information.
It meant that these hundreds of millions of people could face monetary loss and even identity theft! The breach showed how cyber attackers found their way into one of the most advanced cybersecurity systems in the world – all through technical advancements.
Today, cyberattacks remain the top threat for organizations. The proof: experts now advise spending at least 13% (instead of the previously advised 9%) of any organization’s IT budget on cybersecurity.
Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity
Today, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly clever and undiscoverable. To keep safe, it is necessary to be aware of emerging cybersecurity threats.
So, without further ado, let’s get into some of the recent trends in cybersecurity that are a must-know:
The Importance of Education and Training
The evolving cyberattacks mean an increase in the demand (and pay scale!) for skilled cybersecurity professionals.
If you’re interested in cybersecurity, an online security studies degree can help you:
- Get equipped with the latest knowledge in cybersecurity.
- Develop practical skills needed to tackle the ever-emerging cyber threats.
- This degree is also for you if you’re in IT and wish to advance your career to the cybersecurity side.
The best part of learning in today’s world is the flexibility – which is best for part-time students. If you’re a professional looking to expand your skill base, an online program will help you to:
- Develop your skills while staying committed to your work responsibilities.
- Allow you to study at your own pace.
- Allow you access to the latest in the field without any need to commute to the classroom.
Evolving Cyber Threats
Money is the main motive behind most cyber attacks. Because people are now aware enough to not click on suspicious links, cyber attackers now use new strategies to get money like:
- Data encryption: Hackers might hack into your system, encrypt data, and demand money to unlock it.
- Phishing schemes: Hackers might use phishing schemes and trick individuals into providing sensitive information to get access to bank accounts.
- Data breaches: Unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential information, which can lead to identity theft and financial fraud.
Cybersecurity with Machine Learning and AI
Two fields that are huge contributors to cyber security are Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Here’s how, in simplified terms, they contribute to cybersecurity:
- Now, machine learning models coupled with AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies.
- Specific applications of AI and ML in cybersecurity include automated threat response and predictive analytics.
- Automated threat response systems can quickly neutralize threats, reducing the time needed to address security incidents.
- Predictive analytics use historical data to anticipate potential attacks, allowing organizations to take proactive measures.
Even though AI and ML together are indispensable to cyber security, the implementation of these tools meaning, ensuring model efficiency is important. This is the reason why more and more ML specialists and AI professionals are heading to cyber security. Their knowledge about models and predictive analysis is what can help companies significantly improve their cyber security.
The Rise of Zero Trust Architecture
The Zero Trust Architecture is not a new concept. However, because of the recent rise in cloud computing, the Zero Trust Architecture has become very popular.
The concept of Zero Trust is that threats can come from anywhere. So, be it inside or outside the network, Zero Trust means verification at every step. The principle is never to trust; always verify.
Many Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems implement this security system. Every document contains “layers” of information. Each user only has access to a particular layer they need rather than the entire document.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain is a sort of decentralized ledger that utilizes multiple networks. It works by recording transactions and encrypting them. This practice makes databases resistant to tampering and fraud. Supply chain management is where blockchain has gained a lot of popularity. One example of how blockchain has revolutionized the supply chain is Walmart. The superstore giant has successfully used blockchain to help detect the source of fresh produce within seconds of a complaint.
However, it has also been successfully used for identity verification. Over a blockchain, personal data is secured, and only authorized parties can access the data. So, the risk of identity theft is minimized with blockchain technology.
Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity
Quantum computing has allowed a significant increase in computing power. Even though quantum computers can solve complex problems much faster, they pose a threat to current encryption methods.
Quantum computers can break widely used encryption algorithms, making sensitive data vulnerable. This means that cyber threat is on the rise with every upgrade in quantum computing. However, addressing this is still a challenge.
Researchers and cyber security professionals are receiving more and more funding to develop quantum-resistant encryption methods. Advancements in this area will help safeguard data against future quantum threats.
Conclusion
Emerging trends and technologies have given rise to cybersecurity threats. But the seriousness of threats also means strengthening cybersecurity. However, for professionals, this presents quite a challenging landscape. For professionals, the ever-evolving landscape demands staying updated about the latest trends in cybersecurity.
If you want to become a cybersecurity professional, one option for you is to pursue an online degree. However, short courses can also help you get familiar with the field. But even after gaining knowledge, it is up to you to keep an eye out for rising trends in cybersecurity to stay ahead in the field.
