We are all aware of the fact that technology is growing on a rapid scale. Every day new inventions and advancements are taking place. Just like the progress on the positive side; cybercrimes are also entering an all-new technical advancement level. Cyber-criminals are using sophisticated and subtle technologies and introducing new security threats. They are working continuously; to bypass the high-end cyber security of the leading websites.
According to the report, the incidents of cybercrimes rose 38% in 2022; to the previous year. This year; cyber threats are becoming more common yet dangerous as they are targeting businesses of all sizes across industries.
What are the biggest security issues that are challenges in 2023?
The main challenge to businesses worldwide and cyber security service providers is that there are new and different types of threats coming the way; apart from existing ones. So, here we have prepared a list of cyber threats so that businesses stay aware and prepare for the upcoming challenges this year.
Ransomware Extortion
Ransomware originated as malicious software aimed at extorting payments through the encryption of data. By encrypting data and blocking legitimate users’ access, attackers could demand a ransom in exchange for its release.
Nevertheless; the proliferation of ransomware threats has prompted dedicated security research to detect and counteract these dangers. The time-consuming process of encrypting every file on a targeted system allows for potential data preservation by terminating the malware before encryption occurs. Additionally; companies can restore their data from backups, negating the need to pay the ransom.
The emergence of double extortion attacks introduced data theft alongside data encryption, causing certain ransomware operators to shift their focus solely to the extortion aspect; completely bypassing encryption. These ransomware data breaches are executed swiftly. It poses challenges to identify and cannot be resolved by utilizing backups. Consequently; they have become a more effective strategy for cybercriminals and pose a significant threat to businesses.
Data Breaches
Unfortunately, data breaches have become a pervasive issue that shows no signs of abating in the near future. Prominent corporations such as Yahoo, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Marriott International have suffered some of the most significant data breaches of the 21st century. According to Comparitech, the United States holds the dubious distinction of experiencing the highest number of data breaches, affecting a staggering 212.4 million individuals in 2021 (compared to 174.4 million people in 2020). Iran came in as the second most affected country in 2021, with a data breach impacting 156.1 million individuals.
Mobile Malware
With the widespread adoption of mobile devices, the hazard of mobile malware has surfaced as a growing concern. Malicious software camouflaged as innocuous applications like QR code readers, flashlights, and games has proliferated both in official and unofficial app stores.
The scope of infiltrating users’ mobile devices has evolved beyond counterfeit apps to encompass cracked and customized versions of legitimate applications. Cybercriminals are disseminating unofficial app versions in the form of malevolent APKs through direct downloads and third-party app stores. Exploiting the familiarity of reputable app names, these apps aim to surreptitiously install malware on employees’ devices.
Therefore, smartphones have become increasingly susceptible to a range of cyber threats, including phishing (especially through text messages), weak password security, spyware, and malicious applications, mirroring the vulnerabilities encountered by computers and laptops.
Cloud Vulnerabilities
The adoption of cloud computing by companies is on the rise, bringing forth significant security implications. Cloud storage offers numerous advantages like encrypted servers with restricted access, consistent cybersecurity measures, and built-in firewalls. While cloud storage generally provides higher security than traditional hard drive storage; it is not without its risks. Lack of familiarity with cloud security best practices, the shared security model of the cloud and other factors can render cloud environments more susceptible to attacks compared to on-premises infrastructure.
In addition to cybercriminals increasingly targeting cloud infrastructure through exploits aimed at exploiting new vulnerabilities; a concerning trend is the focus on cloud service providers. By directing their attacks towards cloud service providers and cloud solutions; malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to customers’ sensitive data and potentially compromise their entire IT infrastructure. By exploiting the trust relationships between organizations and their service providers; attackers can exponentially amplify the scale and impact of their assaults.
Remote Or Hybrid Working Environment
The pandemic has introduced us to the concept of work-from-home and hybrid working. Before the pandemic; around 8% of the global IT workforce was working remotely; while the number was near to 40% in 2022.
Though the hybrid working environment is beneficial for both the enterprises and employees; there are some added threats as well. For example; many times employees access the sensitive data of the company through an unsafe wifi network; especially if they are using personal devices for work or use weak and vulnerable passwords and share unencrypted files over the network.
Sophisticated Phishing
Sophistication in phishing attacks is on the rise; as cybercriminals employ meticulous tactics to deceive individuals into clicking on malicious links that can install malware or expose sensitive data. With increased awareness among employees in various organizations regarding the perils of email phishing and suspicious links; hackers are intensifying their efforts. They are leveraging machine learning techniques to expedite the creation and dissemination of convincing counterfeit messages. The objective is to lure recipients into inadvertently compromising their organization’s networks and systems. These attacks grant hackers the ability to pilfer user logins, credit card details, and other forms of personal financial information, while also gaining unauthorized access to private databases.
As the cyber security threats are increasing; every organization must take robust cyber security services so that they can defend against all the vulnerabilities of the world. Along with a proper threat protection plan; round-the-clock monitoring is also very important. Make sure; your company stays ahead of the present threat scenario with the right cyber security service.
Derek is a content marketer with a combined experience of 5 years. He is well acquainted with the Education, Health, Travel, Education & BFSI Industry, currently exploring his interest in writing. In his free time, Derek enjoys reading and travelling.