Top Cybersecurity Predictions for 2018

By January 16, 2018 Security
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Last year took many of us by surprise with high-profile data breaches such as the WannaCry ransomware attack and data leaks facing global organizations like credit rating agency Experian. However, there have been many other significant trends developing that will continue to fuel the growing need for cybersecurity solutions.

One thing that no organization can afford to ignore is that the cyberthreat landscape is constantly evolving alongside our increasing reliance on technology. New threats often appear out of the blue. And with digital data now being one of the world’s most valuable commodities, it’s essential that cybersecurity stays at the forefront of your IT strategy. With that in mind, here are some emerging cybersecurity trends we can expect to dominate 2018:

#1. Multi-factor Authentication Will Become More Common

Using only passwords to protect your online accounts is not enough, yet many continue to ignore these warnings. However, multi-factor authentication is a must-have, particularly when it comes to protecting accounts and applications that handle sensitive data. To that end, identity and access management tools are likely to become more common over the next year.

#2. Many Companies Will Struggle to Meet GDPR Compliance

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP) has already been making waves throughout Europe and beyond, but it’s not just businesses based in the EU that will have to get their act together before the legislation comes into force on May 25. Any US business that serves EU citizens will also need to be compliant, but early studies suggest that many companies are far behind on meeting their compliance goals.
For this reason, businesses need to conduct IT assessments as soon as possible to find out what solutions they need to achieve compliance.

#3. IoT Devices Will Pose Serious Security Risks

Techies and salespeople have been talking excitedly about the Internet of Things for some years now, but it’s no secret that many of these so-called ‘smart’ devices have an appalling track record when it comes to cybersecurity.
With botnets like Mirai, Reaper and Andromeda compromising millions of devices every month, IoT has become popular targets for DDoS attacks. However, by far the biggest threat comes from devices that collect personal data, which organizations and individuals alike should choose and implement with extreme care.

#4. State-Sponsored Cyberattacks Will Increase

Cyberattacks are no longer restricted to the realm of lone hackers operating in dingy basements. In fact, modern cybercrime has become organized and sophisticated to the extent that even nation states are getting involved in compromising the networks of their political rivals.
In December 2017, for example, the UK, US and Australia all formally claimed that North Korea was behind the infamous WannaCry attack back in May. The next year will likely see a rapid rise in state-sponsored attacks by Russia, Iran and North Korea among other actors.

#5. Machine Learning Will Play a Major Role in Cybersecurity

Modern security systems need to work with increasingly vast volumes of data around the clock to determine what may or may not be a threat. One way to overcome this repetitive and tedious task is to rely on automation and machine learning.
But at the same time, hackers are also starting to use machine learning to automate their attacks and reach more victims. From both sides of the fence, machine learning will no doubt play a defining role in the world of cybersecurity in 2018.

A dated approach to cybersecurity will leave your organization wide open to the risk of a catastrophic data breach. That’s why Truewater is ready to come to your aid with technology that aligns with your goals and doesn’t end up working against you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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