The Future of Cyber Security

Figure 1 The threats to cyber security are never-ending

The accepted facts connected to any discussion around the future of cyber security are that it could all change at any given moment and that it is always playing catch-up to those looking to test it.

Whether it is the increase in hybrid working practices or the data stored in a betting account on a Bovada app, there is an understanding that the main thing about the future of cyber security is that it will need to develop at an accelerated rate to keep up with the demands of the world today.

Here are five aspects of cyber security that look like the main areas of interest in the coming years.

Increased Remote Working

Businesses were becoming more accepting of working from home before the pandemic. But since millions of people across the globe kept working remotely with very little problem, it has almost become the default way of conducting business for many companies.

The problem with remote working is, by its very nature, an individual’s hardware and systems can more easily become corrupted and are at greater risk of attack. There has to be an assumption that secure devices are connected to unsecured devices and cyber security experts will need to find a way to combat that.

Open-Source Information and Data Storage

There has been a huge increase in the demand for open-source information, as well as requests for data to be shared. Organizations now store more data on individuals than ever before. So whether that information is private or open-source, the need for increased cyber security is obvious.

As far as stored data goes, one of the challenges for cyber security experts is the idea of zero-trust architecture again. There will be the default setting of working as though anything could be breached or leaked. That might affect the levels of open-source information being made available through.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

There seems to be no slowing in the uptake of connecting devices to make our lives simpler. With billions of devices working in conjunction with each other, the potential problems are not difficult to understand. This is set to be one of the longer-term problems for the cyber security community.

Although the IoT brings together many different types of devices for individuals, there is very little evidence that the overall security has been increased – or was even satisfactory in the first place. There needs to be an overhaul of the IoT system for the cyber security issues to be resolved in this regard.

Figure 2 The understanding of how hackers work has been created by the media

The Use of AI in Attacks

We know that the stereotypical idea of a lone hacker working in a solo capacity to cause breaches is an outdated myth. Hackers of today are far more likely to pool resources and use more advanced tools such as automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.

It is still surprising how little is known about AI in the general population and the ways it can be used to more nefarious ends. The only way that cyber security experts can deal with these kinds of AI attacks is to use the same tools against the hackers. This will then perpetuate the ongoing race to outdo each other.

Lack of Cyber Security Knowledge

The best tool a hacker can have is the lack of knowledge and preparedness on behalf of the target. Although companies will spend a lot of money on combatting cybercrime, it is at a micro-level where the holes appear.

Employee training will need to be stepped up across the board and the idea of cyber security needs to be introduced at the developmental stage of any new software – not as an afterthought. If there is a resignation that there will always be a threat, then there also needs to be earlier acceptance of prioritizing cyber security on behalf of all businesses looking to work freely.