Every week it seems like we’re hearing more and more companies are getting hacked. It was a major event in the 2016 US election, and likely will continue to have an influence in the political sphere. Entertainment companies, especially, seem to be the target of hackers who then hold unreleased content for ransom. Cybersecurity services and technology are expanding at blazing speeds, and it’s important for you to keep up with them. Here are a few cybersecurity trends that companies and organizations have had to monitor in 2017.
Cloud Security
As the average consumer continues to move their information to the cloud for easier storage, cybersecurity companies have had to bolster their cloud security defenses to help protect this information. When a person has all of their data stored in one place on the cloud, it becomes a very valuable target to hackers – especially because aforementioned consumer probably doesn’t know much about cybersecurity.
Ransomware
There have been several major ransomware attacks in 2017, including the WannaCry attack in May. In fact, according to Newsweek, ransomware attacks had increased by 250% for 2017 as of May. For those that don’t know ransomware is malicious software that infects a computer and encrypts files, threatening to release the victim’s data or permanently block it unless a ransom is paid, usually in the form of cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Again, because the average consumer isn’t up-to-date with cybersecurity, they unknowingly contribute to the spread of ransomware, increasing the growth exponentially.
These attacks aren’t extremely difficult to create and will only continue to get more and more complicated as hackers refine the process.
More Hackers
Hackers’ evolving methods mean that more and more people are able to hack if they’re simply motivated enough to do harm. Similar to firearms and other weaponry, advanced hackers are developing tools that they can commodify and sell to less-skilled people willing to hack. Even if a new hacker has no experience, they’ll have all the technology they need to cause serious damage. This new influx of cybersecurity threats will be putting some strain on the current skills that security experts have in order to preemptively defend against constant attacks.
Increased Demand For Cybersecurity
With the increase in the number of people hacking, there will be a higher demand for cybersecurity services than ever before. More companies are going to be looking to protect their data, as well as the data of their clients. This means that entire new departments will be opening up and new job titles will be created, like the CCO or Chief Cybersecurity Officer. While this is great for security professionals, it also means that work will increasingly difficult.
Cybersecurity is a constant game of evolution. Hackers are becoming more nuanced, developing more inroads with major online systems and networks, which requires security experts to improve their defenses. It’s essential to keep up with emerging cybersecurity trends and news, allowing you to stay prepared and avoid making costly mistakes with your own systems. With constantly evolving threats, stay tuned for what comes next in cybersecurity.
Author Bio: Stephanie Rowan is an IT and Cybersecurity enthusiast. Her goal is to spread awareness and to help the average user have a safer experience with technology. Stephanie can be via Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Stephanie Rowan is a guest blogger, all opinions are her own.
