The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, and 2022 is shaping up to be no different. With advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G being developed and implemented, the potential for cyberattacks is increasing.
Here are five cybersecurity predictions for 2022:
- Agility is the Key to Success
Covid forced every business to reevaluate the way they deal with internal and external security measures. As a result of the pandemic, many businesses were forced to adopt a hybrid or even completely remote work model. This new work environment has presented both challenges and opportunities for IT departments worldwide.
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that all employees have access to the same secure network, regardless of location. Businesses will need to be agile in order to keep up with the dynamic WFH landscape and protect their data from potential cyber threats.
With the continued uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, organizations must be prepared for anything. Having a solid cybersecurity plan in place will be critical for protecting data and keeping operations running smoothly, no matter what challenges arise. Hiring a security software engineer will help businesses deal with potential cybersecurity threats.
2. Hybrid Work Will Be Fuled With Many Green Initiatives
The trend of hybrid work is here to stay, even after the pandemic ends. This model provides employees with more flexibility and can even help reduce a company’s carbon footprint.
It’s no secret that many governments around the world are looking to implement new policies that will reduce emissions and help fight climate change. In order to meet these goals, businesses will need to find ways to reduce their own emissions.
Hybrid work can play a big role in this by reducing the need for employees to commute to an office every day, which will help reduce traffic and pollution levels.
Hybrid work can also help reduce electricity usage as employees will have the option to work from home or at their favorite cafe some days. This will lead to a reduction in energy consumption, which is good for both the environment and the bottom line. Win/win.
3. Ransomware Attacks on the Rise
Ransomware attacks have risen by an astonishing 518% and is expected to hit over $20 billion. With more businesses moving operations to the cloud, there are even more opportunities for anxious cybercriminals to exploit.
Ransomware attacks can be devastating for a business, as it can result in the loss of critical data. In some cases, businesses have even been forced to pay hefty ransom fees of over $570,000 on average in order to regain access to their data. And the scary part is that only a fraction of those companies who pay the ransom fees get their data back.
In order to protect themselves from these types of attacks, businesses will need to invest in robust cybersecurity solutions that protect remote employees and safeguard critical assets.
Zero trust network access (ZTNA) can help significantly prevent ransomware attacks as organizations have the ability to assign role-based user permissions and to microsegment the network and minimizing the attack surface. ZTNA offers granular access policies so IT can easily administer them from any place with just a click.
Other things to take into consideration include; regular backups, employee training, and up-to-date security software. By taking these precautions, businesses can minimize the risk of an attack and limit the blast radius if one does occur.
4. Cyber Insurance is set to undergo significant changes
The insurance industry is ripe for disruption, and that is especially true when it comes to cyber insurance. 67% of companies reported that they have already purchased cyber insurance. In the past, many businesses have been reluctant to purchase cyber insurance due to the high cost and lack of coverage options. However, this is changing as the market matures and more insurers enter the space.
As cyber insurance becomes increasingly more popular, premiums will continue to go up. This is due to the fact that insurers are starting to get a better scope of the risks involved. Increased ransom payments have also contributed to rising premiums.
In the coming year, it is expected that premiums will continue to rise as insurers adjust their rates to reflect the true cost of cyber risks. This will likely result in fewer businesses being able to purchase coverage. However, those that do will be better equipped in the event of a cyberattack.
5. New Cybersecurity Regulations Will Be a Benefit to All
With new attacks surfacing each day, it is inevitable that new regulations will be put in place in order to protect organizations. These regulations will likely target things like data storage and sharing, as well as incident response procedures.
Although nothing is set in stone as of yet, the Biden Administration’s Executive order on cybersecurity suggests that we can expect to see some changes in the near future. It is still too early to say what these changes will be, but they will likely have a positive impact on the cybersecurity landscape.
While some businesses may view these regulations as a burden, they will ultimately be a good thing for the cybersecurity industry. Raising the standards for how businesses have moved their resources strictly to the cloud will make it more difficult for cybercriminals to succeed. This will create a safer online environment for everyone, especially remote workers.
By implementing new regulations, businesses will be forced to take cybersecurity more seriously. This will lead to better security practices and procedures, which will ultimately benefit everyone.
As we progress through 2022 and beyond, the cybersecurity landscape is expected to undergo even further changes. With the increasing use of AI, the growth of the IoT, and the rise of remote access due to the WFH model, businesses will need to take extra caution in protecting their data.
Businesses that invest in a solid cybersecurity plan will be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.
While the future of cyber-security may seem daunting, there are steps that businesses and individuals can take to protect themselves. By being aware of the threats that they face and taking the necessary precautions, they can significantly reduce their risk of becoming a victim of a cyber-attack.
In order to stay ahead of the curve, businesses will need to keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats and remote security preventive measures. Zero Trust should be at the cornerstone of any cybersecurity plan as it can help eliminate the extra layer of added pressure IT professionals face on a minute-to-minute basis.
What will 2023 have in store in terms of new attack groups and social engineering? Regardless of the future, it all starts by having a secure network and that is a four-letter word: ZTNA.
Sponsored by: Perimeter 81
