• Haar Cloud
• business, cloud, cyber security
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Now we know 2024 just started, but we want you to always be prepared and stay on top of the latest cyber threats, so here is what to expect from the cyber security landscape this year.

New threats and challenges appear as we write this. Hackers are upping their game, and they do that using advanced technologies and exploiting weaknesses in digital systems.

As data breaches and malware attacks keep on escalating, it’s now more important than ever to stay informed on how these evolve, so that you can remain on high alert in the battle against cybercrime. 

According to Statista’s recent report, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to rise from $8.44 trillion in 2022 to $23.84 trillion by 2027. That’s a huge rise, right?

So, let’s uncover the top cyber security trends to watch out for in 2024 and probably in the next couple of years too.

What are the top cyber security trends?

First, for those of you who are new to this term, when we say cyber security we actually refer to the measures we take to protect our computer systems, networks, and data from being stolen, damaged, or unauthorized access. 

Now, the interest in this term has been increasing since 2019, as you can see from the below graph.

In 2024, just as it did in 2023, cyber security focuses more on using new technologies to protect against hackers and other online threats. 

So, next, we will be taking one by one 10 important trends shaping the cyber security landscape, including ransomware, AI and automation tools, cloud security, cyber threat intelligence behaviors and tools, and Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices (like smart home tech).

AI and machine learning potential

Of course, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are now being adopted in cyber security more and more. This is only natural, as these technologies can help your business predict and identify threats quickly and efficiently. 

But, as with all these innovations, they also bring out new risks – cyber criminals are also using these tools to launch more sophisticated attacks.

In 2024, AI-powered attacks are expected to keep increasing, mostly because hackers are using AI to automate their attacks, making them faster and more dangerous. 

For example, hackers can use AI to generate realistic phishing emails that can easily deceive your team. With the help of AI, they can even create malware that changes its behavior to avoid being spotted by security software.

Read more about the biggest security risks when using AI

Supply chain attacks

Supply chain attacks infiltrate your company’s third-party vendors and service providers to get to your systems and data. And as these days companies rely more and more on suppliers and partners, these attacks are expected to increase.

That’s mostly because, in 2024, cyber criminals actively seek out the most vulnerable link in your company’s security chain to exploit, and that could be through your supply partners. 

To mitigate the risk of a supply chain attack, you should evaluate the security measures of your partners and implement efficient access controls. By doing so, you have a chance to minimize the potential impact and also strengthen your infrastructure’s overall security posture against these attacks. 

Remote work security

Insider threats still remain a substantial cyber security problem for businesses in 2024. Yes, this is not a new issue or trend, but as the remote works kept on after the COVID-19 pandemic, it has also introduced additional complexities in detecting and mitigating insider threats. 

Why? Well, these days, employees can access all your business-sensitive information and systems from their homes or on the move, which makes identifying and preventing such threats even more challenging. 

So, in the coming year, it’s important to understand the challenges that come with remote work, and your goal should be to make the whole process as smooth and secure as possible. 

One way to do that is by improving identity and access management, such as multi-factor authentication or secure VPNs, making sure that only authorized individuals can access your valuable data and systems. You should also implement robust identity verification processes, and start educating your team about potential threats and best practices for staying safe online. You can even start educating your team with security awareness training programs.

The AI automation rise 

We all know by now that AI technology has been a huge success across various industries. Now, of course, it has also had a huge impact on the field of cyber security. AI has therefore played a critical role in the development of automated security systems, natural language processing, face detection, and automated threat detection, to name a few.

For example, there are now AI-enabled threat detection systems with the capability to anticipate and predict new forms of attacks. By using AI algorithms, these systems can promptly alert administrators about potential data breaches, helping them take action as fast as possible.

So, businesses can now use AI technology to strengthen their defenses while staying vigilant against AI-powered cyber threats.

Ransomware evolution

Ransomware attacks have been evolving, becoming more targeted, sophisticated, and damaging, as cyber criminals encrypt victims’ data and demand ransom payments for its release. On average, it costs companies almost $2 million to recover after a ransomware attack.

In 2024, we expect to see a rise in Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms that can give even non-technical individuals the tools to carry out ransomware attacks.

To stay protected against the growing threat of RaaS, it is essential to prioritize best cyber security practices and establish a strong security strategy. You can do that by maintaining up-to-date software, implementing robust access controls, regularly backing up data, and training employees on cyber security best practices.

In the future, these proactive measures will become crucial in mitigating the risks of ransomware and protecting your valuable data and systems from these types of cyber attacks.

Privacy regulations

You may have heard of regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These regulations were developed to provide data protection and privacy rights to individuals in the European Union (EU) and California, respectively. By complying with these measures, your business is meeting legal obligations, can protect the privacy of its customers and users, and also avoids substantial fines.

Now, we know navigating these regulations can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that these regulations are put in place to protect everyone’s data and ensure a safer digital environment. Even the smallest vulnerability in your system browser or software can potentially expose sensitive information to hackers. 

So, if all of these sounds too complicated, we’ve got your back. Our team is here to help you stay informed and comply with these changing legal obligations. Together, we can create a safer digital landscape and protect the data that matters most. 

5G and IoT security

The exciting world of 5G architecture brings lots of possibilities and challenges, but it also requires extensive research to make sure it stays protected against external attacks. That means you need to prioritize the development and implementation of sophisticated 5G hardware and software to effectively mitigate data breaches. 

As 5G networks continue to roll out, it’s expected there will be a rise in attacks specifically targeting the vulnerabilities of IoT devices, and some of these could also impact your business critical infrastructure.

To tackle these emerging threats head-on, you need to prioritize robust security measures. By adopting proactive security practices, regularly updating systems, and fostering collaboration between manufacturers, service providers, and security experts, you can minimize the risks associated with 5G and IoT technologies.

Cloud security

Today, cloud computing has become really popular as it offers huge advantages. However, it also introduces unique cyber security risks that must be prioritized.

So, with the growing number of businesses moving to the cloud, it’s only normal that securing these environments becomes increasingly important. This can mean safeguarding data in transit and at rest, as well as managing access to cloud environments.

At the same time, cloud security services are on the rise due to the increasing remote work, and outsourcing trends. Of course, businesses need robust measures in place to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of cloud-based systems.

It now becomes even more critical to establish a comprehensive cyber security strategy that should include preventive measures to mitigate the risk of data breaches and ensure the ongoing protection of valuable information.

Cyber threat intelligence

Cyber threat intelligence is another crucial concept to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your business safe from cyber threats. It has to do with analyzing the threats that exist right now and staying one step ahead by identifying potential risks.

We all know that cyber criminals are always coming up with new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in your business systems. That’s why regular threat analysis is so important. It helps you stay on top of the latest tactics and protect your valuable assets.

In other words, threat intelligence is a great tool that can identify common attacks and give you options to prevent them from happening. With this knowledge in your arsenal, you can strengthen your cyber security defenses and keep your business safe.

BYOD is changing the way we work

This is another interesting trend we’re seeing more and more – employees using their personal devices for work. We’ve all gotten used to the flexibility of remote jobs, right? But something that comes with that is the “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) movement. People want to use their own phones, tablets and laptops to get things done from home. 

But while BYOD makes work-life balance easier, it does pose some security risks companies need to think about. After all, sensitive company data could end up on employee’s personal gadgets that may not have the best protections. 

That’s why in the coming years, we’ll likely see businesses double down on mobile security solutions that let the IT team monitor these networks from afar. If your company finds itself in this situation, we recommend implementing automatic device management that can remotely wipe information or lock lost phones. Policy enforcement is also key so your team knows what they can and can’t do with private tech.

The idea is to find a balance. You want your team to be productive, but also keep your data safe. Thankfully new solutions can now help with all these, so BYOD keeps getting more secure and convenient all around. 

In the end, it’s all about keeping up

As technology evolves and we find new ways to access data, cyber attacks grow too. Keeping up with the latest trends in cybersecurity will be key to staying safe online in 2024 and beyond.

Looking ahead, we can expect to see new trends and evolving threats in the field of cyber security. That’s why is so important for your business to stay vigilant and up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques in cyber security. And equipping your staff with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential threats is also crucial in maintaining a secure environment.

Remember, being aware of these trends is the first step in mitigating potential cyber security threats. And then the main goal is to use new tech to stop hackers and protect your data.