A Glimpse of Cyber Security Future
Where Cyber Security is Headed in the Next Five Years?
The era of immense development in technology has brought use closer to the urgent need of cyber security in our daily lives. We live in a world with our “heads up in the clouds”, literally. With trillions amount of our personal and professional data stored in clouds, cyber security is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
The future that cyber security holds is tightly connected to the developments in information technology of the cyberspace. As information technology advances so does the need for cyber security to advance as well. It doesn’t take a gypsy to predict the future of cyber security, it is as clear as day. As the role of technology grows in our personal and business lives, so will the role of cyber security.
The question is, what would the next 5 years, shape cyber security to be?
Ransomware Evolution
There would be nothing as worse as a spreading virus that creates breakdown in networks, loss of productivity, bad press and angry board members. Even today, the ransomware industry is exploding, being profitable, low-risk and easily accessible for cybercriminals. Ransomware is a malware for financial gain that denies victim access to the computer, data or browser and offers release of captured resources of target after payment of the ransom demanded.
The number of attacks has risen to 36% only this year and shows no signs of slowing down. The current charts show the 20% of businesses still haven’t come up with a disaster recovery solution. Meaning, when the data disappears the business can’t retrieve it unless they pay to cybercriminals. Having an increase in ransomware attacks urge better development towards cybersecurity.
Cybercriminals have progressed from distributing spams, phishing attacks to organised cyber extortion. They have refined their business model using ransomware toolkits, TDS and affiliate systems, and RaaS. Advancements in technology used in ransomware has driven cybercrimes to now evolve, which then cause security experts, legal authorities and the public to react and adapt better security solutions.
The next 5 years will show a development in modern technology to provide the best defence against ransom attacks. Cybersecurity’s will provide more intelligent response to ransomware, with extensive services that will automatically back your files, immediately identify clean backups and launch a fail-over, with just a click of a button.
AI Expansion
Researchers predict that by 2020, artificial intelligence technologies will be implemented in clear majority of new software products and services, which will inevitably change the way we live, work and conduct businesses. The rapid development in technology created an opportunity for cybersecurity to work with AI. There is a huge possibility for robots to defend companies against incoming cyberattacks and even that with a low cost!
Robots do not to be paid by the hour, you buy them one and they work for free. Unlike humans, robots don’t have to take breaks and can work round the clock. With malware and other attacks, timing is of essence. Fighting a virus as its downloading, would be way better then fighting against corrupt data, after the damage is done.
One of the major problems with cyberattacks is that security professionals never get a change to deal with the problem immediately. However, with AI, defence systems can be set to fight against malware the moment it begins to download. While AI can be a huge help in detecting and fighting the latest cyber threats, experts are concerned that artificial intelligence techniques could also bring more risks and even poor fuel to cybercrime.
However, when implemented and trained properly, AI can enhance cybersecurity in many ways. The future sees cybersecurity to hold a bit of robot-human cooperation, in the effort to defend data in a company’s system. Shifting the focus of cybersecurity from prevention to protection. Sophisticated machines learning-based attacks haven’t been frequent yet, but cyber criminals are getting there. Hence, security teams should combine their human intelligence with artificial intelligence to creates advanced AI solutions to prevent future cybercrime.
Internet of Things
The first-world is made vastly, up of humans who own at least one smartphone, computer or tablet which, is carried along with them everywhere, to stay “plugged in”. The Internet of Things makes sure every single device you have stays connected and even interconnected. For instance, being able to control you’re at home devices with your mobile phone. Due to the fact everyday items are now connected to the internet, they can be hacked into easily like a computer.
In the workplace, they may be internal parties that’d try to rig the system. For instance, if there is a private room that has restricted access which can only be unlocked by an employee using a key card, a savvy and witting employee could manipulate the ID process.
All this interconnectedness from IoT however, paves a way for a lot more cyberattacks.
A study by HP, revealed that 70% of IoT devices are prone to severe security vulnerabilities, mostly due to insecure web interfaces, insufficient authentication methods and lack of consumer security knowledge.
With IoTs, once you access one device, you can access them all. Hence with convenience comes more risk. As more developments and integration of technology is progressing, the near future sees, cybersecurity professionals being prepped in facing security protocols with IoT.
Blockchain Revolution
In 2017, the world saw a spectacular rise in the popularity of cryptocurrencies. Being hailed as a global revolution, blockchain is a fascinating piece of technology which has the power to potentially change the world. Blockchain is a networked method of tracking information which, has supported the rise of currencies such as, Bitcoin and Ethereum. Looking at Bitcoin Blockchain as an example, money and other digital assets are not stored in a central location but is distributed across a Global Ledger using highest levels of cryptography.
What does blockchain have to do with cybersecurity? As the application and utility of blockchain emerges, there will be variations in approaches between public and private blockchains. It is still difficult to predict developments blockchain systems will bring to cybersecurity. One thing is for sure, in the coming years, blockchain tech will change the cybersecurity game.
The next 5 years will show an increased transparency with blockchain. Since the distributed ledgers associated blockchain isn’t under the control of a single agency, it can be accessed by all involved parties that could attempt to commit a cybercrime in the system.
This means anyone could have potential access, especially since logs cannot be altered once they are created. Having this technology serves as a deterrent against cybercrime, as it makes those who may be tempted more reluctant to act.
Although the future is subjected to vast change at any point in time, the next 5 years would surely bring about major changes in the cybersecurity world. From ransomware evaluation to blockchain resolution, here at AKATI Consulting, we are always up to par with technological advancement through time. The services we cater to our clients are constantly accessed and researched, giving us the upper hand when it comes to facing future cybersecurity threats. Stay on top of the cyber security game!
