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Why has cybersecurity become an essential constituent of life for millions of people today? As per statistical data, in 2021, there were a total of 2,200 cyber-attacks daily. That equates to one cyber-attack every 39 seconds.
After the novel Coronavirus hit the world in 2019, it evolved the way people and businesses went about their routines. The globe became increasingly digitized, with a slew of new digital platforms springing up all around to make people’s lives easier during this tough period. Cyberspace expanded enormously, and everyone became completely reliant on digitization for efficient functioning.
On the other hand, homeworking, the growing online component of life, and ongoing digital changes have resulted in significantly more efficient functioning. However, it resulted in a rise in cybersecurity concerns. While some of them were completely valid and understood by the targets of hackers, phishers, scammers, and extortionists, many were either misunderstood or ignored.
It is expected that by 2022, 18 billion devices will be connected to the internet, that’s greater than double the world population! As a result, everyone should be well-versed in the ever-increasing cybersecurity risks. Therefore, let’s look at some of the most significant cybersecurity trends in 2022.
The Cloud and Drive Trend
Many individuals and larger businesses have adopted cloud services for data storage and access and software applications in the last decade. Physical modes have become obsolete for most people. It is due to the digitized world, and as humans, we have excellently adapted to it. That leads us to the era of Big Data and its many vulnerabilities. Many firms recruit specialists with degrees and certifications in data protection, cyber security, data analytics, and other related fields to deal with this. It is a skill set or qualification that is greatly in demand right now and will be in the near and far future. As a result of the developing trend and to meet the needs of the general public, universities have started their BS and MS Cybersecurity Program Online.
Adopting cloud-based computing services has many benefits, including increased efficiency and lower costs. Suppose these systems are not properly configured, updated, and maintained. In that case, they become critically vulnerable to attackers who are constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit and access sensitive information. Hence, today’s organizations hire proper and skilled personnel to deal with these problems.
From Commuting to Homeworking
Today everyone with the luxury of working from home has successfully avoided the exhaustion of commuting. Over 36 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025; this is an 87 percent upsurge compared to pre-pandemic levels. Despite the benefits of homeworking, the company’s data is at risk of malignant cyber-attacks 24/7. New equipment, software, and controls must be obligatory to guarantee data reliability.
Cybercriminals are quick adapters, and they are not stupid. You can assume they have already strategized to adapt to the expectancy that sensitive data doesn’t just reside in an organization’s servers. It’s also available in the employees’ houses for attacking.
Increasing Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
Cyber-attacks will be a constant part of our lives because of our ever-increasing reliance on digitization. That makes us prone to a large number of cyber-attacks. The greatest reason for the rise in cyber-attacks is the increased use of frequently connected devices online, the Internet of Things (IoT). According to Business Insider, by 2027, more than 41 billion devices will be online and connected to various other devices and internet sources. This industry is the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks because they don’t have the right measures to avoid being a target of a hacker. Or phishers that might use their fridges to access networks and access their most sensitive data like credit card information etc.
Also, Read This: 7 Tech Trends You Shouldn’t Miss Out On
Ransomware Attacks
In the past, cyber-criminals couldn’t directly profit from cyber-attacks like phishing, hacking, scamming, etc. With the continuously evolving tech world, ransomware attacks have become increasingly common. Here, attackers gain access to a victim’s data and encrypt it, so they cannot access it unless a ransom is paid (usually in the form of cryptocurrency). What is more dangerous and catastrophic is that this infection can seep through and spread to other data if inadequate measures exist. One solution for them is Magnetic data tapes. They are the large-volume storage medium of archival data. They are isolated from network connections and have a lower cost per unit. Moreover, they cannot be meddled with by cyber-attackers.
Two Factor and Multi-Factor Authentication
Many data companies have combined passwords with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and One Time Passwords (OTPs), which act as another layer of protection against data breaches. Multifactor Authentication requires users to confirm their identity by two or more devices. Verification Codes through SMS and email for logging into the server are great examples of this.
It is a highly effective way to ensure data protection and cyber-attack prevention. However, cyber-criminals can most definitely find small spaces or vulnerabilities that they can exploit and use as gateways. Alex Weinert, Microsoft’s Director of Identity Security, advised consumers to adopt app-based authenticators instead of SMS and MFA in 2020. They are particularly vulnerable since they are not encrypted.
Obsolete and Incompetent Systems
As cyber-attacks are becoming highly efficient and sophisticated with rapidly changing technology, individuals’ or organizations’ data is more at risk than ever. Many organizations use old and high-cost software that is not up-to-date with current cybercrimes. The more this threat increases, the greater the feasibility of cybersecurity as a career choice. It has become increasingly popular. They must know current cybercrime trends and ways of dealing with them.
Conclusion
The Big Data era has made it close to impossible not to be susceptible to cyber-attacks. However, with a good understanding of cybersecurity trends, one can devise modes to be less preyed upon. The trends mentioned above will be observed in 2022 and onwards. New cybersecurity trends will be seen as cyber-attackers adapt their hacking, phishing, and scamming. Hence, one needs to be wary and put protective measures in place.
