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Cyber threats are ever-changing, and so are cyber solutions. Technology, on the other hand, has a magnificent effect on cybersecurity. A growing number of companies have started to use Artificial Intelligence and generative AI tools like ChatGPT in their organizations. AI’s impact on cybersecurity strategy is undeniable. On one side, cybercriminals produce deep fake videos for fraud and execute social engineering attacks by AI. On the other side, artificial intelligence AI creates brand new cyber security tools to increase the security response capabilities of the organization. All of these make AI the prior trend in 2024.
Specific cyber threats are expected to have an impact on individuals, companies, and governments in 2024. Hybrid and remote workers, the health industry, and phishing attacks are the prior concerns for many. Upcoming elections have already raised suspicions about user scamming, data thefts, and data breaches in the US. Cyber security trends like threat intelligence, access management, and secure networks are expected to avoid these threats and create a protected environment.
The Rise of AI and Machine Learning in Cyber Attacks
The widespread use of AI and machine learning in cyber attacks increased the risk level of these attacks for companies. However, companies are not the only foundations that are affected by AI. Governments fall victim to cyber threats generated by AI or developed via machine learning. Cyber warfare operations have been conducted for a long time by several countries. Russia has been behind the many cyber attacks against Ukraine’s commercial companies. National Cyber Security Center suggested that Russia’s cyber warfare operations have a Europe-wide impact, and many European users have been affected.
These state-sponsored cyber-attacks are not new. We saw similar cyber espionage incidents between China and Russia in the 1980s. However, AI and machine learning-related cyber threats have increased the severity of cyber warfare.
Emerging Threats in Cloud Security
Cloud services and cloud computing became widespread more than ever in 2023. Cyber security trends target handling cloud security risks and breaches to decline the number of data breaches in organizations. Cloud systems are more prone to cyber-attacks. Hybrid workers connect HQ resources remotely and risk company data at an incredible level. Unauthorized remote access is the main reason for unsecured cloud computing. Individuals, on the other hand, risk data more than any other cyber attack. Research suggests that up to 95% of cyber security threats are due to human error according to the World Economic Forum.
Cyber security professionals recommend several security solutions to protect cloud environments. Robust security measures like Zero Trust cyber security prevent unauthorized access to the sensitive resources of the organizations. Multi-factor authentication is a cybersecurity tool for verifying user credentials more than once. Thanks to this security tool, unauthorized and malicious users can not gain access to sensitive data.
The Impact of IoT on Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network that comprises interrelated devices and related devices with the cloud. Smart homes and smart cities are the perfect examples of IoT. You can imagine devices that have an Internet connection and use cloud computing. Although IoT facilitates human life and increases the efficiency of daily operations, IoT cyber attacks pose a risk for organizations. The more systems integrated with the Internet and AI, the more complex the situations become. In case of an absence of Internet or electricity, it is impossible to conduct even simple social-governmental systems.
Countries have started to embrace the idea of sustainability, enhance efficiency, and increase quality of life. We expect that more cities will become smart cities thanks to IoT technology. Cyber security trends, on the other side, will be affected by IoT increases in government services. IoT will bring new cyber security threats. However, organizations can establish a robust cyber security infrastructure to fight against IoT security challenges.
Advances in Quantum Computing and Cybersecurity Implications
As a rapidly emerging technology, quantum computing offers more than usual computers in terms of problem-solving. Quantum computing solves complex problems by benefitting from quantum mechanics. However, these magnificent problem solvers pose a great risk to cybersecurity.
1. Encryption
The first risk of quantum computers is encryption since modern data encryption models can not be used in quantum computing. Financial data resources and applications mostly rely on modern encryption methods like VPNs. Vulnerable patient data or health data is another concern due to the lack of encryption in cloud computing. Organizations must implement efficient cyber security trends to provide encryption in quantum computing.
2. Blockchain Technology
Advances in quantum computing may negatively affect blockchain technology. It can risk the blockchain economy which will result in a disaster. Asymmetric cryptography algorithms have been used in blockchains. Quantum computing can crack these blockchains and manipulate the whole blockchain system. Individuals and companies that invest in blockchain technology may affected by this crack. Cryptocurrency and blockchain professions can face big disasters.
The Role of Government Regulations in Shaping Cybersecurity
The governments make regulations concerned with cybersecurity. Organizations must comply with cyber security regulations to avoid fines. Regulations can be national and international. European Union has several cybersecurity regulations that are compulsory for EU-related companies. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of them. It aims to regulate data processing and transferring. Data breach is the main risk in terms of cybersecurity of organizations. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, requires extended protection regulation. Companies can lose reputation and customers when they fail to comply with these regulations.
Organizations can get help from skilled cybersecurity professionals to avoid security breaches and become compliant with government regulations. These regulations protect companies from falling victim to cyber security issues and avoid phishing attacks. Cyber security skills of an organization increase their reliability and market value. Furthermore, some governments started to award organizations that are compatible with regulations. Instead of only issuing a fine in case of a breach, government authorities decided to make incentives to encourage companies to follow data protection regulations.
Innovative Solutions to Tackle Cyber Threats in 2024
Evolving threats need innovative solutions. Artificial Intelligence AI will make harder it to tackle cyber threats in 2024. Mobile devices will be affected by AI-generated threats, and the security posture of the organizations will incur losses.
Zero Trust security will be at the top of the security solutions in 2024. The comprehensive and adaptable nature of Zero Trust makes it the most wanted security solution for the whole time. Zero Trust model can protect organizations against AI threats. It is expected that one-tenth of the large enterprises will adopt Zero Trust by 2026. It demonstrates that Zero Trust will become prevalent and a standard cybersecurity strategy. Verifying technologies and the less privileged concept of Zero Trust can protect vulnerable cloud applications and private data even in AI-related threats.
Securing remote working by VPNs is also innovative to tackle new threats. Remote employees face phishing attacks and identity theft incidents. AI and machine learning have changed the face of cyber risks. However, modern solutions like VPN and Zero Trust, with a couple of extra protections, can handle emerging threats.
Preparing for a Secure Digital Future
The future will be digital. Companies to governments should renovate their security solutions according to emerging cybersecurity trends. The threat landscape will be extended. However, it is possible to find solutions for a more secure digital environment.
We can not imagine a future without the innovations of AI and machine learning. It is not hard to predict that both future threats and solutions will be AI-related. The crucial thing is to keep up with emerging trends and make security a priority. Organizations must prepare themselves according to innovative technologies and follow current risks. Being compliant with governmental regulations is also vital. However, regulations can not meet all new threats since they can not predict the future. The purpose must be following fundamental security solutions and using AI and machine learning to prevent cyber attacks and breaches.
