The million-dollar question: What is the future of cybersecurity?
We get excited about what comes in the future, and for all the ongoing development we are witnessing online (especially with cybercrime), it’s not a bad idea to set expectations.
Some experts say that the future of cybersecurity won’t be different from what it is now.
But at MyITGuy, we disagree with that opinion.
Want to know why?
Future of Cybersecurity – 5 Threats and Solutions
It’s true. The Internet still works like the Wild West.
But what’s unfortunate for us, is that we lack sheriffs to cyber protect us.
Do you imagine dialing at 911 to report cybercrime, just as we do with other crimes? I do.
Jokes apart, the cybersecurity role is mutating from threat-centric to cloud-based. Globalization and digital transformation have spread data beyond our walled networks.
So, we better start moving and predicting some of the threats of the future to solve them later.
So, this is how the future of cybersecurity will look?
More hackers to Deal With
There’s no doubt about this.
As technology keeps evolving, and security experts (“cyber-paladins”) keep forging their careers… Everything also moves for the toxic part of the world.
Not only will there be more hackers to deal with, but they will attack businesses more often.
Especially those small and mid-sized organizations that are scarce on resources and information.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: computer hacks occur every 39 seconds now (on average).
If the number of tech-savvy but cold-hearted people increases, then the number of hacking scripts will increase as well.
And as long as technology keeps evolving (getting more sophisticated and powerful), then the harder it gets to stop hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities, with automated methods.
Being said, in the future of cybersecurity we’ll need to leverage the worldwide tech workforce to avoid the “unemployed” passing to the “cybercriminals..”
5G and IoT
I don’t know about you, but it’s even scarier to think that 5G networks aren’t just for the future.
With this technology (faster than ever), billions of new devices will connect to the Internet. Meaning, the speed of execution will be almost deadly for most companies.
Although this is not limited only to enterprises, the Internet of Things (IoT) will connect us even more than we are now: home devices, smart infrastructures, self-driving cars.
The chances are endless.
Of course, the biggest hit goes to the multi-million dollar factories that start to integrate IoT to their buildings with almost any protection or security practices involved whatsoever.
AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning algorithms are, by far, one of the most critical technologies created by humanity.
We use them to automate tasks or make decisions at a humanly-impossible speed.
But like every new technology that gets released and expanded, AI and Machine Learning are also under the scope of cybercriminals.
The worst part is that their exploits are still little-understood. Meaning, all companies that use them for the most critical operations will become a primary hacking target.
Is there any solution to this threat?
First of all, both IT and Cybersecurity teams of the future must enforce this reality.
They must develop measures against AI corruption.
And must be prepared with an AI solution itself that’s capable of detecting issues before they even happen (security alerts or simulated attacks that reveal patchable weak points).
CPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) & GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
We’re sure about one thing in particular: Governments and Regulators will keep pushing against these threats.
But depending on who you are, this might be a dream wish or an absolute nightmare.
And no, this is not focused on Hackers.
In this case, I’m talking about business owners.
You can be part of the companies that take all these regulations sacred, designating part of your resources into following every part of it.
Or you can be part of those that don’t take it seriously enough, can get a handful of fines and consumer lawsuits. Do not overstate CCPA or GDPR. Otherwise, you’ll have to shut down.
Cyber Warfare
The future might await us with biological weapons, as well as computer-embedded warfare.
I don’t have any doubt that future warfares won’t need much human presence. At least not in soldiers’ terms.
This lack of an army represents good news for emerging countries that couldn’t afford conventional weaponry. Let’s say; it’s their opportunity to rank between world leaders.
The signs started to get clear with 2010’s Stuxnet. This Zero-day attack targeted a Uranium centrifuge on Iran (shutting down and presenting failure of equipment).
That trend continued (in 2017) with the Russian “Sandworm” that harmed American and Eastern European energy corporations.
It’s just a matter of time to see new attacks like these to appear on media headlines.
Let’s just hope that this ticking bomb has much time remaining.
Are you Prepared for The Future Days?
Let me tell you something: Hackers are preparing for future attacks, right now.
For that reason, you need to prepare as well.
And while not every security system is 100% “secure”…
And no-one knows what will happen in the next decades.
One thing is for sure: you can have a future-proof life and business today.