The exponential growth in data over the past decade has spawned new industries and exposed the world to new kinds of threats. Data mining, analysis, and deployment have all improved at a pace faster than our understanding. It has taken data-centered scandals for us to understand how our data is used. For example:
- Whistleblower Edward Snowden who revealed the NSA’s surveillance program,
- Facebook and Russia’s influence on the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and
- Equifax and Target, which were both attacked and had users’ personal information leaked.
Both individuals and organizations will become more proactive in securing their data. What will shape the cybersecurity industry in 2020 will be the tools and policies that help users with that.
1. Artificial Intelligence
Both hackers and victims are using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in regard to cybersecurity. Attackers use AI to create much more evasive threats, while defenders are using AI to create more intuitive protection.
AI security solutions are able to:
- Find and eliminate threats in an instant rather than the hours or days it would usually take,
- Collect and analyze data more efficiently, and
- Enhance threat detection using predictive analysis.
2. Endpoint Security
The proliferation of mobile devices, cloud computing, and remote working has brought new productivity opportunities, but it has also brought new threats. What happens when a machine full of company data with access to the company network is lost or stolen? The data on the device and the system could be compromised. This is where endpoint security comes in.
What does endpoint security do? It secures these devices and their access to the business’ network. It focuses on securing devices and access points that are at the edge of the network. Endpoint security software can protect against basic threats like viruses to more malicious attacks like ransomware.
3. Stricter, Transparent Data Collection and Privacy Laws
Data is now viewed as an asset, and user’s are more aware of privacy infringements and data breaches. Over the years, stories have flooded newsrooms of companies which mishandled consumer data and the costs associated with such attacks. Consumers used to trust brands to protect their information but are now taking matters into their own hands.
The shift in data privacy attitudes and the passing of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has put pressure on organizations to be more transparent about how they handle data. This involves:
- Letting users know how their data will be used,
- Giving users the option to disallow sharing their information, and
- Taking responsibility for the protection of data and compliance.
4. Automation
IT systems have become larger and more sophisticated, while the staff running the department have not increased at the same rate. This has left the IT administrators swamped with repetitive tasks daily. Cybersecurity requires constant vigilance and maintenance, which is becoming harder as the IT system becomes more substantial.
A solution for this is automation. Automation can carry out repetitive tasks effortlessly with a high degree of consistency and accuracy. This will leave IT administrators more time to deal with tasks that require a higher level of effort. Cybersecurity automation can:
- Monitor and analyze your IT system in real-time,
- Keep a registrar and track all the IT assets in the business,
- Update software, and
- Test IT system security.
5. Drones for Hacking
Drones are present in logistics, agriculture, media, and the military. As with any software-driven device, they can be hacked and become problematic for their users. Hackers could crash the drone, steal it, or feed it false data. Security measures by manufacturers are necessary, and this has created a new industry in commercial drone software.
Drones themselves can be built or hacked to act as a roving access point for hackers. Drones can be flown into restricted areas and have proximity access to data and frequencies.
How Effective is Your Cybersecurity?
The future of cybersecurity is vast, and you will need intelligent tools to stay protected. AI and automation will reduce the human effort in cybersecurity, but strategic direction will still be required to secure new connected devices.
