Legitimate organizations aren’t the only ones investing in technological innovation. Cybercrime also continues to evolve as new vulnerabilities are uncovered and data becomes evermore valuable.
Fortunately, exploring the trends of the last couple of years allows us to make educated predictions about the threats of tomorrow. Here are some of the most important cybersecurity trends we can expect to see in 2020:
#1. More attacks directed at the cloud
More businesses are migrating their operations to the cloud to reduce maintenance and upgrade costs and empower increasingly mobile workforces. But the cloud has also given cybercriminals a raft of new vulnerabilities to exploit.
Traditionally, most breaches occur on the client’s end. Hackers exploit weak passwords and configurations created by users, but they’re increasingly going after cloud providers directly. This means we can expect more highly sophisticated attacks designed to infiltrate even the most secure cloud data center facilities. That’s why you need to thoroughly vet your IT partners and the security measures they have in place to protect your assets in 2020.
#2. Supply chain attacks will increase
Many companies now work with third parties all over the United States and beyond, including contractors, freelancers, and other offshore service providers. While the main motivators include reducing costs and tapping into expertise on demand, it also gives cybercriminals many new opportunities to exploit people.
More than ever, businesses need to be especially mindful of who they do business with, particularly because some regions of the world have poorer data security and privacy standards than others. Administrators must adopt the principle of least privilege to limit the data they place in the hands of others, and they must maintain complete visibility into their supply chains.
#3. Attack surfaces will continue to expand
Greater connectivity and workforce mobility allow employees to better balance their professional and personal life and enable businesses to tap into expertise that they may not find locally. But despite the benefits of cloud and mobile technologies, they also greatly increase the potential points of failure.
No longer does information security stop at protecting networks and devices. Every business account needs to be protected, with data being centrally managed and secured. With hackers going after things like employee-owned mobile devices and online accounts, companies need to be more careful about where they store their data and the controls in place to protect it.
Mobile device management software will also be more important than ever since it all ows security administrators to control what apps and data employees can access outside of the business network.
#4. The cybersecurity skills gap will widen
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education published an alarming revelation: there will be 1.8 million unfilled cybersecurity positions around the world by 2020, up from 1.5 million in 2015. This is partly down to the lack of formal education, which has struggled to keep pace with constant change in the sector. As a result, hiring IT professionals has become more expensive, far beyond what many smaller companies can afford.
Fortunately, it’s rarely necessary for smaller organizations to maintain fully staffed internal IT and security departments of their own. Outsourcing to a remote security operations center is an increasingly popular alternative, providing the necessary services on demand.
#5. Increase in mobile malware attacks
Now that mobile devices have usurped the desktop in so many everyday business operations, it’s hardly surprising that attackers are now turning their attention to mobile operating systems. There’s also the fact that mobile devices are at a much higher risk of physical theft of loss. At the same time, mobile malware is on the rise, stealing sensitive data and even money straight out of people’s online bank accounts.
As phishing and malware attacks become increasingly focused on mobile connectivity, it has become necessary to protect online accounts with multiple verification methods rather than relying on passwords alone. Companies should also avoid storing sensitive data on portable devices, instead using them only to access that which is hosted in the cloud.
Complete Document Solutions provides a full range of security solutions and services companies in Los Angeles need to protect themselves in 2020. Call us today to ensure your company’s future.
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