By R2 Unified Technologies
What cybersecurity trends can we see emerging in 2022? Not only will ransomware continue to proliferate, but we're likely to see a significant rise in cryptocurrency/blockchain-inspired crimes, as well as blackmail-driven crimes. Cloud solutions and IoT devices are going to expand the attack surface – and remote work will render many systems vulnerable to intrusion.
Let's take a look at some of the most important cybersecurity trends 2022, and the cybersecurity industry trends your company needs to follow.
1. Social engineering will continue to be a major threat.
We can expect to see more sophisticated and targeted attacks as well. And unfortunately, the rise of the internet of things (IoT) will only make things more complicated, as interconnected devices become increasingly susceptible to cyber-attacks.
But social engineering is uniquely difficult to defend against because it really only requires lapses in judgment. Companies need to create fault-proof systems that require multi-factor authentication to try to defeat social engineering threats.
2. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for cybersecurity will continue to grow.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for cybersecurity is growing rapidly, and we can expect this trend to continue in 2022. These technologies can help organizations quickly identify and respond to threats, allowing them to stay ahead of the curve.
However, as these technologies become more widely used, it's important that they are implemented correctly, and that the data being used is accurate. Otherwise, the systems could actually do more harm than good. AI systems that are not properly trained tend to bog systems down, slow them and decrease their efficiency.
3. Zero-trust systems will become the default.
Zero-trust systems are becoming more and more popular, and we can expect this trend to continue in 2022. These systems are designed to prevent unauthorized access, regardless of the user's location or role within the organization.
This is accomplished by verifying the identity of each user and then granting them only the access they need to do their job. This helps to prevent malicious actors from accessing sensitive data or systems. In the past, most systems provided trust by default, to make it easier for people to do their jobs. This could work fine for entirely on-premises systems, but cloud systems are too exposed.
4. The use of biometric authentication will increase.
Biometric authentication, or the use of unique biological characteristics to verify a person's identity, is becoming increasingly popular as a way to improve cybersecurity. This is because it is much harder to fake than traditional authentication methods, such as passwords.
In 2022, we can expect to see more businesses using biometric authentication to protect their data. However, it's important to note that this technology is not foolproof and can be easily spoofed with the right equipment.
5. The cloud will continue to grow in popularity.
Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular, and this is likely to continue in 2022. The cloud offers many benefits, such as flexibility, scalability and cost-efficiency. Ultimately, most companies still holding out and chiefly using on-premises solutions are likely to at least switch to a hybrid cloud platform.
However, as the cloud becomes more popular, it's important to be aware of the security risks associated with it. Organizations need to make sure that their data is properly protected when it is stored in the cloud. This is especially true of organizations that were previously holding out and remaining on legacy solutions.
6. Ransomware and even blackmail will remain a threat.
We saw many high-profile blackmail threats this year. Companies had their source code leaked — and blackmailers threatened to release it. Both ransomware and blackmail are becoming easier because cryptocurrency renders ransoms and blackmail difficult to track. However, it's not impossible. The Colonial Pipeline attack did show that these transactions can be traced back to the source.
7. The number of IoT devices will increase, which will lead to more attacks.
The number of IoT devices is increasing rapidly, and by 2022, there will be over 20 billion devices connected to the internet. This presents a major security risk, as these devices are often not properly secured and are easy to hack.
In 2022, we can expect to see more attacks against IoT devices, as well as ransomware and other types of attacks that take advantage of these devices. Companies need to make sure that their IoT devices are properly secured and that they have a plan in place for when, not if, these devices are compromised.
8. There will be an increase in targeted attacks.
We've been seeing a rise in targeted attacks in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue in 2022. These attacks are aimed at specific individuals or organizations, and they can be very difficult to defend against. This is especially true with remote-only companies; many employees may never connect with each other or may not recognize when they are being contacted by an outside actor.
To protect themselves, companies need to be aware of the risks associated with these types of attacks and make sure that their data is properly protected. They also need to have a plan in place for when they are targeted by an attack, to escalate their security and mitigate potential threats.
9. Cybersecurity will continue to be a priority for governments.
In the past, cybersecurity has not been a top priority for governments. Surprisingly, many government entities still look for stability within legacy systems rather than cybersecurity maturity. However, this is starting to change, and we can expect to see more investment in cybersecurity in 2022.
Governments are realizing that cybersecurity is essential for protecting their citizens and their economy. They are also beginning to understand the importance of working with the private sector to improve cybersecurity. This trend will continue in 2022, and we can expect to see more cooperation between governments and the private sector to improve cybersecurity.
Protecting Your Organization from Cybersecurity Threat in 2022
As we move into 2022, it's important to remember that the risk of cyberattacks is only going to increase. To protect your organization, you need to be aware of the risks and make sure that your data is properly protected.
You also need to have a plan in place for when your organization is attacked. This plan should include steps for recovering from a cyberattack and for protecting your data in the future.
Finally, it's important to remember that cybersecurity is a team effort. Everyone in your organization needs to be aware of the risks and take precautions to protect themselves and the organization as a whole.
Need to know more about how to protect your organization from these growing and emerging threats? Connect with R2 Unified Technologies to learn more about how innovation fosters security.
