Top Cybersecurity Trends Shaping the Security Industry

Security leaders know that technology moves fast. But cyberthreats move faster.

Global workplace shifts compound the effect. More employees are working from home. There, they may access company data via unauthorized networks, devices, and software. As a result, the threat landscape is fragmented.

Security providers strive to mitigate risk, but hackers are sophisticated. They recognize vulnerabilities and exploit them.

Seven Cybersecurity Trends To Keep an Eye On

Organizations committed to protecting their clients must think one step ahead. Leaders should look to new and emerging trends to roadmap mitigation strategies.

Here are seven cybersecurity trends shaping the future of security.

1. Breach and Attack Simulations

Cyberthreats are becoming more sophisticated and more costly. As a result, businesses are looking for new ways to assess their overall security. One emerging method is breach and attack simulation (BAS).

BAS enables security teams to determine the effectiveness of their defenses.

Security teams are able to identify weaknesses by examining pushing security systems to see how they react to simulated attacks. From there, security professionals can configure security controls to better mitigate real-world threats.

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2. Attacks on Critical Services

According to a World Economic Forum report, cyberattacks on critical services are increasing. In fact, attacks on “critical infrastructure … have become the new normal.”

The threats affecting critical services include:

• Phishing emails
• Ransomware
• Malware attacking outdated software

The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack from May 2021 is a primary example of just how devastating such attacks can be.

3. Internal Threats

Internal cyberattacks made headlines back in mid-2019. A former Amazon Web Services worker stole Capital One credit card information. She accessed data from over 30 companies and 106 million customers.

The risks posed by internal threats have not disappeared.

And while remote work is largely safe and productive, there are also additional security concerns. Cloud-based software presents us with additional challenges and is hardly a catch-all. For many organizations, a hybrid approach is best.

Enterprise security and data management have become more fragmented than ever.

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4. Cyber-Aware Leadership

Large-scale security breaches attract public attention. The results can be devastating for all organizations involved.

Consequently, organizational leaders are becoming more aware of the need for strong cybersecurity. Leaders recognize threats as a risk to everything from reputation to functionality to efficiency.

5. Vendor and Service Consolidation

The security landscape is disjointed. Many security teams have too many tools. According to Gartner, “78% of CISOs have 16 or more services in their cybersecurity vendor portfolio.”

Too many vendors over-complicate security operations. Plus, businesses may end up paying for overlapping capabilities.

Strategic vendor consolidation is key. Often, that means working with multiple security providers who are capable of integrating with one another. While it’s appealing to work with a single vendor, top-notch security matters more. Plus, there are solutions in the marketplace that allow for alignment across vendors and software.

Your best bet is to capitalize on integration in strategic ways.

RELATED: Learn how SIS enables strategic integration

6. Zero-Trust Approach to Security

A zero-trust approach to security follows four fundamental principles.

1. Companies can’t trust end-users. They could be compromised.
2. VPNs and firewalls are not enough. They guard the perimeter, leaving the internal network vulnerable
3. Security teams should embrace identity-first security. That means the network should verify user identities throughout. In most cases, verification only occurs upon entry.
4. Segment networks to reduce the risk of a security breach.

A zero-trust strategy aims to ensure users operate securely at all times. When security-compromising options are taken away, users have no other choice.

Zero-trust solutions can integrate into existing network systems. They can also be built into new infrastructure.

7. Remote Work Becomes the Norm

Almost two-thirds of employees can now work from home. Two-fifths already do. The pandemic accelerated this trend. Now, it’s here to stay.

Remote work has forced security protocols to evolve fast. Yet, many organizations are struggling to keep up.

Employees outside of the company network are using unauthorized devices. Also, they often access business data via third-party apps. The new world of shadow IT puts businesses at greater risk.

Organizations in regulated industries are particularly vulnerable. Remote staff behavior could breach critical compliance rules. Team members may disobey governance. But the company still bears responsibility for its data.

Security leaders must adapt their strategies to cater to remote work risks.

Wrapping Up

We cannot predict the future. But we can learn from emerging trends and new threats.

Digital transformation and work-from-home arrangements are impacting how malicious actors attack their targets. To protect your business in this brave new world, an integrated security solution is vital.

Don’t leave the future of your organization to chance.

KEEP READING: What is Integrated Security?