Technology is transforming at a rapid pace, but is cybersecurity keeping up with this rapid transformation in 2024?
Cybersecurity risks are becoming a new norm as we advance the technology field. The threats are becoming exponentially challenging and sophisticated for traditional security paradigms.
So, in this evolving cyberspace, it is more than necessary to understand the new trends in cybersecurity and cyber threats.
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting a network and the systems connected to it from cyberattacks.
Cybersecurity is ideally able to safeguard important digital data, assets, personal information, and intellectual property from network breaches. In this article, we will explore the top 10 cybersecurity trends in 2024.
Evolution of Technology and Cyber Threats
The digital landscape of the world is under constant change and evolution. The technology and capabilities of cyberspace have grown unimaginably since the inception of the internet.
Now, we can say that at least most of the industries in the world including finance, entertainment, finance, and everything in between operate, by utilizing the internet.
This evolution and development have also sparked an increase in cyber threats. There are several kinds of cyber threats and each of them has a specific objective.
Some of the most relevant cyber threats in 2024 are malware, phishing, MITM (man-in-the-middle) attack, ransomware, DNS tunneling, password attacks, SQL injection, and more.
Since the world is getting introduced to more technological advancements every day, security threats are also evolving at a rapid pace.
Top 10 Cybersecurity Trends in 2024
Cybersecurity trend analysis involves systematical assessing and interpreting patterns of security threats to find solutions for mitigating security risks.
Cybersecurity experts closely monitor security threats and identify recurring attacking patterns to evaluate and mitigate risks. Some of the top 10 cybersecurity trends in 2024 include:
1. The Emergence of Self-Driving Vehicles
Many modern vehicles today have many sophisticated capabilities including assisted cruise control, engine timing, and electric power steering, and some can even work as driverless cabs.
These autonomous vehicles are completely controlled by the software installed in them, and the system would be naturally connected to the internet at some capacity.
While automation gives an extra layer of comfort and convenience to the passengers since they are connected to the network, one cannot disregard the possibility of a security breach.
Technologies such as Bluetooth and wifi, used for the operation of automobiles, can be regarded as vulnerable and hackers may gain control of the vehicle through them necessitating stringent cybersecurity measures in this area.
2. AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threats and Defense
The growth of AI within the last few years is astonishing. From natural language processing, and independently browsing through the internet, to creating life-like videos, the future of AI is exciting and concerning at the same time.
In the cybersecurity space, AI is utilized for face recognition, speech recognition, threat detection, and more.
However, the criminal masterminds in cyberspace also utilize AI to develop sophisticated malware and attacks to circumvent security protocols undetected. So, in 2024, there will be a bigger emphasis on detecting AI-driven security threats and creating defensive mechanisms.
While it is a challenge, with proper protocols in place, these threats can be eliminated, protecting the valuable data, files, and assets intact.
3. Targeting Mobile Devices
Mobile devices are not only used for communication, but it is the personal hub for everything related to that person, including banking, investing, entertainment, relations, social networking, health monitoring, and many more. The diverse capabilities of mobile devices make them one of the major targets of cyber attacks.
Threats on mobile devices come in diverse shapes and forms including spam, scams, and malware. Stepping on any of these landmines may trigger a cascade of consequences including personal data breaches and financial loss.
Cybersecurity professionals are constantly taking countermeasures to mitigate these risks. As the capabilities of mobile devices are only growing, the cybersecurity world anticipates a rise in threats related to smartphones and wearable devices.
4. Cloud Storage and Challenges
As users are utilizing all the possibilities of their personal computers and mobile devices, most of them depend on cloud storage for collaboration, easy access, and expandable storage.
While the service providers (at least the leaders in the field) are always on top of securing the connections, and user data, vulnerabilities from the user end are still a concern.
Security threats often happen due to phishing, and the presence of malicious software, compromising valuable user data. Usually, cloud storage platforms implement robust security and authentication features including two-step verifications to mitigate these risks.
Still, storing valuable digital data and assets on a cloud-based platform needs constant security auditing and threat management protocols.
5. Data Breaches from Organizations
The personal details of a user including name, contact details, banking information, credit card information, and social security number are expected to be protected by the service providers including banking software, social media sites, hospital software, etc.
However, user data has been compromised over and over again, by various industries including government websites for reasons such as hacking, poor security features, accidental data leaks by employees, etc.
Several ransomware attacks have succeeded in retrieving user and employee data, leading to huge financial settlements and compensations.
6. IoT Security Concerns in the Era of 5G
The mobile network and connectivity technology is another playing field that is gradually improving. As the world is transitioning rapidly into the 5th variation of technology, the 5G, there is also new interconnectivity of devices, especially related to the Internet of Things (IoT).
Be it a personal or professional space, almost all electronic devices including airconditioning, lights, automated vacuum cleaners, door locks, television, etc. are connected to the internet.
In response to emerging technology, there needs to be updates and constant monitoring of the interconnectivity of these devices, especially concerning the novel 5G network.
7. State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks
Global leaders cannot always meet in the middle ground, fueling several diplomatic restrictions and indirect warfare. One of the methods that global powers use against each other is the infiltration into the cyberspace of a state.
This method includes retrieving sensitive information from critical infrastructure, election data, and many secretive data. Though no state would admit doing such cyber crimes, it has been a topic of discussion for a long time now.
Since these cyber attacks can target high-profile events, strategies, election-related information, and data of the individuals residing in the state, it calls for the most robust cybersecurity features.
The state needs to constantly update its security features as technology evolves to protect against data corruption and data leaks.
8. Training and Awareness
Many of the cyber threats capitalize on human errors from both the users and employees to infiltrate the system and retrieve information.
One of the most famous, or should I say infamous examples of this is the hacking of Linus Tech Tip’s YouTube channel. Though they are a group of individuals well-versed in technology, one of their team members opened a mail attachment on their main Google account, leading to their YouTube channel getting hacked.
So, mistakes and mishaps can happen to anyone, which is why training and cybersecurity awareness are more than important in this day and age.
It needs a collective effort from the state, online service providers, and maybe even from educational institutions to safeguard people from cybersecurity threats.
9. Cybersecurity Challenges Related to Remote Working Practices
While remote working arrangements have been prevalent for a long time, the pandemic and lockdown have exponentially increased their popularity.
According to an unofficial survey, most of the tech companies in the United States have transformed their working arrangements into a hybrid practice accommodating both in-office and remote working employees.
As technology and collaborative working environments become more and more seamless, the remote working practice will only become more popular, calling for better cybersecurity protocol implementation in remote work environments such as multi-factor authentication, secure Virtual private networks (VPNs), etc.
10. Defence Mechanisms for Social Engineering Attacks
To put it simply, cyber-attacks that are enabled by human interactions are collectively called ‘social engineering attacks’.
It uses several techniques and phishing methods to extract sensitive information such as username, password, and OTP from unsuspecting users. While these types of attacks have been in cyberspace for a long time, they still stand as one of the biggest concerns.
But, employing security measures such as training and awareness can go a long way in mitigating these risks. Additionally, the implementation of foolproof authentication methods, and multifactor authentications including biometric authentication can also help.
Also, Read: Avoiding Investment Scams: Essential Tips
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is the practice of safeguarding data from malware and threats. Cyber threats may cause financial losses, privacy breaches, and downtime.
While the technology around us is evolving, cybersecurity threats are also adapting and becoming more and more sophisticated.
In this article, we have seen the 10 top cybersecurity threats in 2024. They include automation in the automotive industry, the emergence of AI, growing capabilities of mobile devices, usage of cloud storage, data breaches, IoT security, state-sponsored cyber attacks, user and employee-caused breaches, threats related to remote working space, and social engineering attacks. By following countermeasures, the cyber attacks can be limited.
