5 Changes to Expect in Cybersecurity in the Next Decade
In the past few decades, the world has rapidly adopted technology in all aspects of life. From using technologies such as the internet in our daily lives to controlling large-scale companies with business software, technology has never been more prevalent. However, while technology has brought efficiency, accuracy, and convenience to several processes, it has also led to several security concerns. Cybercriminals have been keen to take advantage of the growing use of technology for their malicious intent. As a result, the importance of cybersecurity is now more than ever before. After all, a lack of cybersecurity almost certainly means a loss of reputation, money, and valuable data, for organizations and companies. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the future of cybersecurity and keep pace with the growing threat of cyberattacks. To help you with this purpose, here are five changes to expect in cybersecurity in the next decade.
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An increasing skill gap
Countless students have enrolled in courses related to cybersecurity, seeing it emerge as a lucrative field. However, not many have made it out as skilled professionals, while others have chosen not to pursue advanced education. As a result, considering the rapidly rising demand for advanced and skilled professionals, the supply is less than the demand. Therefore, there is expected to be an increase in the skill gap for cybersecurity professionals in the coming years. Millions of job positions will be left empty as there won’t be many individuals with the skills needed to handle such occupations.
However, while this may be a matter of concern for businesses, it can be a lucrative opportunity for those pursuing cybersecurity. If you’re among such people, it’s best to prepare yourself for the future of cybersecurity and take advantage of the growing skill gap by gaining advanced education. For instance, you can pursue an online masters in cybersecurity to equip you with exceptional skills fit to impress employers.
Rise in threats
In the next decade, companies will continue implementing technology to improve their business operations and increase profits. After all, it would be impossible to thrive in the future’s business world without the use of technology. However, as expected, this will lead to an even greater rise in cybersecurity threats, putting the business world at risk. Data breaches and business operation disruption attacks will become much more common, as cybercriminals won’t miss any opportunity to attack. Only in 2022, according to the cyber threat report, governments worldwide have reported a whopping 1,885% increase in the number of ransomware attacks.
But more importantly, there will not only be a growth in the number of attacks but also in their scale and complexity. While cybersecurity techniques are advancing, cybercriminals are conducting their own research to improve their attacking strategies and techniques. As a result, in the next decade, cyberattacks will be able to take over countless computer systems at once and work with improved efficiency and effectiveness.
Automation
Automation has begun to emerge in cybersecurity, as both professionals and cybercriminals have started its use. However, in the next decade, automation will have become quite prevalent, playing a significant role in advancing cybersecurity. AI is expected to be one of the most popular automation technologies in cybersecurity. Unlike human employees, AI software can be used to analyze unimaginably large amounts of data within seconds to identify patterns or trends. This makes it the perfect tool to discover vulnerabilities and gaps in security that cybercriminals can exploit. As a result, it might be easier to keep data safe in the next decade.
Additionally, automation will also help cybersecurity be more accessible and affordable, especially for small companies. Instead of hiring IT teams and several cybersecurity professionals, companies might only need a single software to keep their security strategies working. However, automation will not only be adopted by cybersecurity professionals but also by cybercriminals. Consequently, more complicated and tough to counter cyberattacks may arise.
IoT hacking
Internet of things (IoT) is a term that encompasses devices that can connect to the internet. From our smartphones to smartwatches, vehicles, and even air conditioners, today’s modern world is full of such devices. Companies are starting to use IoT devices excessively to improve their operations, especially in offices. For example, smart offices equipped with IoT devices such as AI speakers have become quite common. It’s true that this has led to improved business operations and comfort for employees. However, at the same time, IoT devices have provided cybercriminals with another opportunity to attack and steal data.
As the use of IoT devices is expected to increase in the next decade, cyberattacks related to such devices will also increase. While you may not expect cybercriminals to steal much by hacking into a device such as a speaker, you should not underestimate their reach. By hacking into one internet-connected system, a hacker may gain access to other devices containing valuable data.
Enhanced cloud computing
Currently, cloud computing is not the most reliable option to store your data in. Cybercriminals are often easily able to attack and steal data through cloud servers and even disrupt the operations of several companies at once. In 2021, a research report revealed that 40% of companies had suffered a cloud-based cyberattack in the last 12 months. However, the future is likely to change this, as cloud computing moves towards safety and reliability.
Application security within cloud servers will be reinforced in the next decade, making it incredibly challenging for cybercriminals to conduct attacks. Additionally, cloud monitoring is expected to be more effective than ever before in the next decade. As a result, in the next decade, businesses will be safely able to take advantage of cloud technology. Remote work is likely to increase as companies will securely provide cloud services to employees for their work at home.
Conclusion
With the rise of technology, cybersecurity has become a crucial component of every business. Over the years, the importance of cybersecurity will only increase as cyberattacks start to become a greater concern. To thrive in the business world, it’s essential to understand what to expect in cybersecurity in the next decade. So, make sure to keep in mind the upcoming world of cybersecurity by reading the changes mentioned above.
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