Top cyber security trends to watch for in the coming year

The field of cyber security is a continually changing landscape with the introduction of new-age technologies, different types of data usage and cybersecurity threats on the rise it’s hard to keep pace.

In the digital era we live in today, cyber security is more important than ever in managing technology threats, vulnerabilities, and risk. Hackers and security experts are constantly competing to outsmart one another. The environment of cyber security has changed due to digital commerce, mobile computing, and hybrid workplaces. It is important to redefine security procedures, re-evaluate technology, and prepare to battle new threats.

The majority of cyberattacks target small enterprises, which typically lack the cybersecurity defences needed to defend against such threats. Here are key cybersecurity trends to watch out for in 2023:

The rise of Artificial?Intelligence (AI)?in cyber security:

Machine learning (ML) is playing an ever-expanding and increasingly predictive role in cybersecurity. With ML’s evolution computer-assisted security solutions and, cybersecurity is becoming both more effective and less expensive. With the help of algorithms, ML creates patterns from a large dataset. In this manner, Anomalies, threats, and system vulnerabilities can using AI and machine learning. With the use of these technologies, we can both stop attacks from happening in the first place and lessen the harm they cause when they do.

It goes without saying that we are only now starting to see the full potential of AI and how it will change cyber security. One of the top trends that we are eager to see develop soon is this one.

Emphasis on Cloud Native Security Management

Businesses have moved their workloads and data to the cloud. By the end of 2022, it is expected that the market for public cloud services will reach a record high of $420 billion. Even while cloud environments are protected by several security mechanisms, improper configuration can still make them vulnerable and motivate cybercriminals to target organizations in the cloud environment.

When using cloud platforms, cloud-native applications are becoming increasingly prevalent. These applications have been created specifically to operate on the cloud. Cloud-native applications try to take advantage of the cloud platform's effectiveness and speed. Rapid innovations and technological advancements in cloud-native security are addressing security threat vectors. Businesses understand that using the incorrect platforms and tools could expose their applications to risks and strongly adopting the security practices like intelligent managed WAFs, zero trust, supply chain security, cyber security mesh, and merging security through DevSecOps.

Strong focus on proactive cyber security practices:

Organizations' use of proactive measures like threat hunting, penetration testing, and vulnerability scanning will increase during the next ten years. It is not just important for good cyber hygiene; it's also crucial for defending sensitive data from evolving cybersecurity risks. Many firms could lose millions of dollars because of a data breach. What is the ideal remedy? Putting in place a security architecture and being proactive.

Although each business’s needs and its network infrastructure should be considered when designing proactive cybersecurity measures, there are a few best practises that may be used as a starting point. In the face of ongoing cyber threats, these measures will help you increase the security of your network as you create an efficient proactive security policy.

Promote Better Cybersecurity Awareness within the business

People are one of a company's security protocol's weakest links. Reducing human vulnerabilities within the business is a focus of any proactive security plan because most cyber-attacks are the direct result of human error. It is feasible to reduce the danger of phishing attacks and, as a result, a variety of hazards associated with employees' inexperience, especially in areas of customer service, where digital lines of communication are accessible to the public.

The time when the IT department was solely responsible for cybersecurity is long gone. To encourage more cyber-awareness, everyone from human resources to legal to financial to marketing has a role to play. Cyber security awareness campaigns will be targeted to resonate with more people and ensure that they reach more individuals.

More regulations and laws protecting data privacy:

Given the continued economic problems and geopolitical tensions, high-profile data breaches, other cybersecurity topics are likely to take centre stage in coming years. As a result of this, more regulations regarding data privacy are being explored. The hacks have sparked worries about the security of online data because they have exposed the personal information of millions of people.

Targeted attacks will increase in frequency as firms increasingly store data electronically in the coming years. on organisations, including political bodies, the healthcare industry, and financial institutions, has risen recently.

One of the proposals in the regulation is to develop a national database of all cyber events. The objective is to make it simpler for law enforcement to investigate and stop upcoming threats.

Prioritising the data security and privacy:

Data protection is a crucial aspect to help prevent cybercrimes such as identity theft, phishing, ransomware attacks, and fraud. Organisations suffer damage to their brand and reputation because of data breaches. Hence, businesses will continue to place a high premium on mitigating data breaches through enhanced and proactive web application security measures as they become more aware of the negative effects of data breaches and consider data security, and privacy regulations.

Rise in Cyber security spends and increased skill shortage:

Witness a surge in cybersecurity spending as businesses of all sizes become more aware of the seriousness and range of the problems they face with cybersecurity. Additionally, there will be a greater need for security professionals at all stages of the life cycle, as well as more demand in executive boardrooms. As the skill gap between the need and supply of skilled specialists widens, smaller firms will turn to professional services vendors and technological solutions to address the problem.

Conclusion:

Organisations are becoming a Cyber security target today as their data or information is considered desirable, while experienced hackers have elaborate schemes and divisive ideas, finding new ways to bypass security infrastructure, applications and tooling therefore leading to theft and sabotage.

Taking a risk-averse “top-down Cyber Resilience strategy is crucial, particularly with opportunities for enhanced governance and controls while taking the necessary precautions using appropriately aligned tools and technology, underpinning your foundational practices.

It is crucial to keep in mind that cybersecurity itself is not a task you can just mark as "done" and ignore – it’s an ongoing investment for your business, one you should treat very seriously. Your security posture requires regular review and optimisation, along with consideration for cyber security research and trend analysis to maintain a level of control and innovation, with proactive measures in place to increase your business resilience.

A key consideration for businesses is accepting that a cyber event such as an attack will occur and realising that your business is not “bulletproof”. This means, realising that a hacker or group of hackers may in fact succeed in their attempt to penetrate your information technology, therefore preparing for the Cyber event and being ready should be part of proactive planning and Cyber resilience framework.

Lastly, revisiting your Cyber Security framework frequently in search of improvements not only with focus on your technology, also include investment in your staff, through Cyber Security training and audits with regular review of your Cyber security governance and controls. Continuously analysing and improving your processes and policies for blind spots, bottlenecks, and flaws needs to be “built-in” and continuously improving, while remembering to keep pace with Cyber Security Compliance frameworks such as NIST, ISO, SOC2 are mandatory particularly for Enterprises.?