Cyber-Security: 2018 Trends and Predictions

The computer code, connected computers, internet and the entire cyberspace has brought us all a security threat that has no visible front, borders or armies. With millions of annual cyber-attacks, cyber-crime has become a real threat to anyone across nations using computers, smartphones, tablets, internet of things and other smart gadgets connected to the internet. With each year passing, cyber-crimes seems to keep rising. When we look back at 2017, we have already witnessed many security breaches. While some have been reported, there are perhaps many more that were not reported. Needless to say, the war for cyber-security rages on as we seem to be moving rapidly towards one of the most open societies that is more connected than ever before, without the necessary security framework and infrastructure in cyberspace, geospace or space (CGS).

So, irrespective of individuals and entities across nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA), when we try to protect ourselves against the security threat from cyberspace, it is important to understand that threat vulnerability comes not only from cyberspace, but also from geospace and space due to the inter-connectedness and inter-dependencies between cyberspace, geospace and space. Irrespective of whether those security vulnerabilities from CGS are intentional or accidental; it can obtain, damage, or destroy any asset in cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) due to cyberspace connectivity with geospace and space. So, as we begin 2018, it is important that we evaluate new developments in cyber security, understand the security trends and forecast predictions.

Rob May, the Managing Director of RAMSAC and the Chairman at Institute of Directors based in UK, participates in Risk Roundup to discuss “Cyber-Security- 2018 Trends and Predictions”.

Looking back: 2017

Today, cyberspace is deeply embedded into daily lives of all of us --individuals and entities across nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA). As a result, its crowded interconnections across cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) are bringing complex, chaotic, and challenging times for everyone. When cyberspace fundamentally changes the nature, definition and meaning of security, there’s no such thing as ‘secure’ anymore. Incorporate it into geospace and space and the complex security challenges hit the roof.

When the security concept across cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) is currently being subjected to big changes with respect to its nature, aims, capabilities, sources, connectivity, impact and the dimension of threats, it makes us wonder how has the many unknowns of cyber-security impacted not only the cyber-security breaches as well as the average cost of data breach; but also put our very survival and sustainability in geospace and space at risk.

So, when we look back at 2017, it is important that we evaluate-

• What did we learn from 2017?
• What were the most notable data breaches?
• What was the cost of security breaches?

2018 Cyber-Security Trends and Predictions

It is important that we learn the lessons 2017 has taught us and evaluate what is coming our way in 2018 so we can individually and collectively prepare ourselves for our survival and sustainability in cyberspace, geospace and space.

As we focus on 2018, it is important to evaluate-

• What security trends, challenges and threats await us all in cyberspace?
• What regulatory changes are coming our way for cyberspace, that will impact geospace and space as well?
• Will artificial intelligence and machine learning boost cyber defenses or cyber offenses?
• While ransom-ware has been a growing threat over the years, and while it continues to claim high profile victims, what is being done about ransom-ware? What more can be done?
• With internet of things becoming bigger than any organization or nation, what is being done to secure internet of things?
• What are the efforts to develop a common security risk language?
• Which systems are at risk of cyber hijacking and cyber terrorism?
• Are crypto-currencies and blockchain systems secure?
• Are cyber insurance policies effective? What needs to change?

Cyber-Security: Complex Challenges for Cyberspace, Geospace and Space

The computer code, connected computers and the ecosystem that makes the cyberspace brings complex challenges and complexities to everyone and to everything, from cyberspace, geospace to space. This tectonic shift on the nature of security risks brought on by the cyberspace and due to cyberspace in geospace and space are creating complex challenges for individuals and entities, within and across every NGIOA.

Due to cyberspace, the nature of security risks has evolved in not only cyberspace but also geospace and space!

In addition, the security concept is currently being subjected to big changes with respect to its aims, capabilities, sources, connectivity and the dimension of threats. In the new era of cyberspace, the security threat has no visible front, borders or armies. Amidst that, the challenge for decision-makers across NGIOA is to determine what security risks they face in the cyberspace and the rapidly changing digital global economy: independently and collectively, and how much uncertainty they are exposed to and forced to accept as they strive to survive, sustain, grow, develop and advance. It is important to evaluate this further-

• What is the complexity of risks that today’s entities are facing due to cyberspace?
• How are organizations dealing with such uncertainty?
• What understanding of security risks is there?
• What consequences organizations will face due to cyber breaches today and tomorrow?

Conclusion

Looking back at the state of security vulnerability in cyberspace, the growing number of cyber-crimes and the 2018 cyber-security trends, there is a need to evaluate effective technology /non-technology solutions. Time is now to talk about “Cyber-Security Risks”.

For more please watch the Risk Roundup Webcast or hear Risk Roundup Podcast

About the Guest

Rob May, is the Managing Director of RAMSAC and a published author of the book, “We are all Porn Stars: Cyber-Security and the Human Firewall”. He is also the Chairman at Institute of Directors based in United Kingdom.

About the Host of Risk Roundup

Jayshree Pandya (née Bhatt) is a visionary leader, who is working passionately with imagination, insight and boldness to achieve Global Peace through Risk Management. It is her strong belief that collaboration within, between and across nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA) will be mutually beneficial to all—for not only in the identification and understanding of critical risks facing one nation, but also for managing the interconnected and interdependent risks facing all nations. She calls on nations to build a shared sense of identity and purpose, for how the Security Centric Integrated Cyberspace, Geospace and Space Risk Management framework is structured will determine the survival and success of nations in the Digital Global Age. She sees the big picture, thinks strategically and works with the power of intentionality and alignment for a higher purpose—for her eyes are not just on the near at hand but on the future of humanity!

At Risk Group, Jayshree is driving the thought leadership on “Strategic Security Risk Intelligence”! She believes that Cyberspace, Geospace or Space (CGS) cannot be secured if NGIOA works in silo within and across its geographical boundaries. As security requires an integrated NGIOA approach with a common language, she has recently launched Cyber-Security, Geo-Security and Space- Security Risk Research Centers that will merge the boundaries of Geo-Security, Cyber-Security and Space-Security.

In 2015, Jayshree launched “Risk Roundup” an Integrated Cyber-Security, Geo-Security and Space-Security Risk Dialogue. Risk Roundup Webcast/Podcast are available on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Risk Group website, and professional social media.

Jayshree’s inaugural book, The Global Age: NGIOA @ Risk, was published by Springer in 2012.

About Risk Roundup

Risk Roundup: Webcast/Podcast, a global initiative launched by Risk Group, is an integrated cyberspace, geospace, and space (CGS) security risk dialogue for individuals and entities across nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA). Risk Roundup is directly trying to promote and enhance CGS risk intelligence by collective participation of decision makers from across NGIOA.

Risk Roundup is released in both audio (Podcast) and video (Webcast) format and is available for subscription at (Risk Group Website, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, Android, and Risk Group Professional Social Media).

About Risk Group

Risk Group is an integrated cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS) security risk research organization. Risk Group is on a mission to epitomize collective risk intelligence of nations: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA) as the synergistic intersection among independent as well as interconnected and interdependent CGS security risks to help achieve an effective process for better collective security risk intelligence, management and governance than silo and fragmented security risk approach that we have across nations today. Risk Group is determined to engage the collective NGIOA risk intelligence capability to manage CGS security risks—risks impacting individuals and entities across NGIOA. Having a collective NGIOA risk intelligence capability will be transformative for not only achieving CGS security but also global peace.

Risk Group believes that risk management, security and peace walk together hand in hand. Though security is related to management of threats and peace to the management of conflict, risk management is related to management of security vulnerabilities as well as management of conflict, and it is not possible to conceive any one of the three without the existence of the other two. All three concepts feed into each other. Risk Group believes that the security we build for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for everyone across nations. Tradition becomes our security-so if we build a culture of managing risks effectively it will lead us to security and security will lead us to peace!

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