Cybersecurity now and beyond
Since the first computer virus was created in 1971, cyber threats have grown massively in scale and complexity. Millions of sophisticated malware attacks, intrusion attempts, ransomware attacks, cryptojackings, and other incidents are tracked and reported daily.
Over the years, cybercriminals have devised countless ingenious tools for their nefarious endeavors. And cybersecurity experts are always busy at work to counter and neutralize new threats in what has become a fierce arms race as both sides try to outdo each other’s wits and technologies.
As this battle continuously evolves, one can’t help but wonder what cybercrime and cybersecurity will look like in the future. It’s exciting and frightening to think about the advanced technics hackers might develop in the next decade or so. Judging from current technologies and cybersecurity trends, here are some educated predictions about cybersecurity in the coming years:
Securing remote access will continue to dominate cybersecurity
The world saw a massive shift to remote and hybrid work over the last two years. Working remotely is now the new norm in most workplaces, and that’s unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. This may be for the best, but hybrid workplaces are riddled with serious security challenges.
A new survey involving over 8,000 IT decision-makers confirms the security concerns associated with hybrid and remote work. While nearly all the respondents said their companies had a hybrid workforce, 94 percent expressed worries about corporate data getting exposed via home-based devices. Zero trust remains one of the go-to security frameworks for dealing with a distributed workforce and will likely hold up well into the future.
AI will take center stage
Analysts forecast the AI-cybersecurity industry to hit $66.22 billion by 2029, registering an impressive 24.2% CAGR between now and then. At that pace, AI will undoubtedly take over the cybersecurity industry in the next decade. In fact, intelligent threats and smart cybersecurity bots are already commonplace in today’s digital sphere.
We’re already seeing countless strains of polymorphic malware capable of duping even the most powerful defenses. And security professionals are also responding in kind.
A widening cybersecurity skills gap
The cybersecurity workforce is not growing fast enough to keep up with the evolving threat landscape. According to the 2022 Cybersecurity Skills Gap report, 8 in 10 organizations suffered a breach that they could attribute to a lack of cybersecurity skills or awareness. It’s a real struggle to recruit and retain qualified cybersecurity talent, and this is proving risky for many organizations.
Unless the IT labor pool expands considerably or cybersecurity becomes highly autonomous, this skill shortage will continue to plague companies worldwide.
More IoT and 5G-powered threats
IoT networks are ticking timebombs. Most IoT devices linked to corporate networks have questionable security protocols, making them easy gateways for data breaches, espionage, and data theft. But this doesn’t seem to stop companies from automating various business processes using vulnerable IoT devices. Moreover, this threat will only rise as high-speed 5G hits mainstream use in the coming years.
Quantum encryption will still be a long way off
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about quantum computers and how quantum cryptology will soon render the current digital security systems completely obsolete. While quantum cryptology does exist, it’s still decades away from being a disruptive technology. The quantum computers we have today are more experimental than practical. The technology is still far from practical user-based applications and more so in cybersecurity.
It’s difficult to accurately predict the future, especially in an industry as dynamic and complex as digital security. But the important thing is not knowing what’s to come but how to prepare for it. And the best way to prepare for the uncertain future of cybersecurity is by ensuring you’ve taken all the digital safety measures you can today. In other words, make the most of what’s already available and stay current by evolving with the times.
Luckily, GB Tech can help you do just that. Reach out today, and let’s build a cybersecurity posture to stand against current and future threats.
