The topic of cybersecurity has transitioned from the realm of the IT department to the boardroom in recent years. As cyber-attacks have become more prevalent and the potential consequences, both in terms of regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust, have grown, they have become a priority at every organisational level. As we move into 2023, cybersecurity experts and industry watchers are closely monitoring several trends that have the potential to significantly impact the tech and security landscape. These trends include:

• Ransomware attacks continue to be a major concern for organizations, as the cost of these attacks is projected to reach $265 billion annually by 2031. The number of ransomware strains has also increased significantly in recent years, with over 130 currently in circulation. Ransomware has also entered the cloud, with attackers targeting cloud-based mail servers like Office 365 through malware or phishing emails. One popular method is file sync piggybacking, where an attacker sends a phishing email with an attachment that, when downloaded, initiates the installation of ransomware on the user’s system, granting the attacker access to the network and infiltrating the cloud environment.

• As the Internet of Things (IoT) grows in popularity, so do the potential threats it poses. Attackers scan for vulnerabilities in devices and attempt to connect through non-standard ports. This leads to a greater number of vulnerabilities in IoT networks compared to traditional enterprise systems. The healthcare sector is particularly vulnerable as the use of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices such as sensor-based or remote patient monitoring devices like wearables increases. These devices open up a wide range of vulnerabilities and entry points for criminals to access sensitive patient data. Monitoring these endpoints 24×7 is an absolute priority for all organisations in the healthcare industry, as the increasing adoption of IoT in various sectors makes it more important than ever for organisations to be vigilant against IoT threats.

• Supply chain attacks have become a major concern for organisations worldwide, as evidenced by the X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2022, which found that at least 62% of organisations faced a supply chain attack in 2022. These attacks occur when attackers infiltrate enterprise networks through vulnerabilities or compromised devices present in the network of a third-party or partner. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, using advanced tools and techniques to bypass security measures and best practices. Organizations must adopt a proactive approach, constantly analysing user behaviour to detect suspicious patterns or accesses. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain and the potential vulnerabilities that come with it, as well as the ability to quickly identify and respond to any potential breaches.

• Organizations must also be aware of the potential for attacks against their operational technology (OT) systems as the line between IT and OT continues to blur. OT refers to the software and hardware mechanisms that monitor and detect changes in industrial equipment, systems, and processes. Industrial control systems (ICS) are a key component of OT and are becoming increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. The main concern with these attacks is not just data security but the potential for physical damage. Organizations must have mechanisms in place to detect and respond quickly to any anomalies in order to minimise the potential damage.

• As mobile devices become more prevalent in our daily lives, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting them with mobile malware. Reports show a 500% increase in mobile malware attacks in the first few months of 2022, with Android devices being the most common targets. To protect against these threats, organisations must implement enterprise mobile security solutions and provide employee training on device security. This will not only protect against cyber threats but also educate employees on how to secure their mobile devices and stay vigilant against potential attacks.

• The adoption of zero-trust network architecture is on the rise as companies look to improve their cybersecurity solutions. Zero Trust is a philosophy that emphasises “never trust, always verify” to keep companies secure from cyberattacks through identity-centric security solutions. It includes practices such as identity and access management, endpoint security, micro-segmentation, and threat protection to prevent security threats and data breaches. Zero Trust enables secure access to any application from any device or environment, making it an effective solution for protecting sensitive data and networks.

• The adoption of security solutions with SOAR capabilities, such as automating detection and response, is becoming increasingly popular. SOAR solutions allow organisations to collect input from security operations teams and automate the processes of gathering indicators of compromise, performing advanced threat analytics, and assigning reputation scores. This helps organisations get a better overall picture of the security landscape and respond to incidents more efficiently. SOAR solutions focus on ingesting alerts, automating threat responses, and resolving security incidents through advanced threat analytics. Implementing SOAR technology can significantly strengthen an organization’s security posture in today’s rapidly changing cybersecurity solutions landscape.

Cybersecurity threats have become an unfortunate reality of the digital age, impacting every aspect of our online lives. Proactive measures are essential to protect against these threats, and that’s where Ensure Services comes in. Our team of experts assesses potential security threats and develops comprehensive cybersecurtiy solutions to secure your IT environment.

Our ICT security solutions are based on a custom-designed model that focuses on a business risk approach, allowing us to establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, and maintain information security in real-time. Our services include end-point security solutions, email security, unified threat management solutions, mobile security, and virtualization security.

In addition, our infrastructure security solutions aim to create a secure environment at the workplace by preventing unauthorised access to office premises and safeguarding against data theft and misuse by employees. Our services include biometric and access control solutions, data centre security, and surveillance solutions. With Ensure Services, you can rest assured that your organisation is protected against the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.