Top 10 Threats To Be Aware of 2021

With the digital revolution around all businesses, small or large  corporates, organizations, and even governments are relying on computerized systems to manage their day-to-day activities and thus  making cybersecurity a primary goal to safeguard data from various  online attacks or any unauthorized access. Continuous change in  technologies also implies a parallel shift in cybersecurity trends as news of data breach, ransomware, and hacks become the norm. Here are the top cyber security trends for 2021.

1) Rise of Automotive Hacking

The first cyber security trend in 2021 is going to be the rise of  automotive hacking. Modern vehicles nowadays come packed with automated  software creating seamless connectivity for drivers in cruise control,  engine timing, door lock, airbags, and advanced systems for driver  assistance. These vehicles use Bluetooth and WiFi technologies to  communicate, which also opens them to several vulnerabilities or threats  from hackers. Gaining control of the vehicle or using microphones for  eavesdropping is expected to rise in 2021 with more use of automated  vehicles. Self-driving or autonomous vehicles use an even further  complex mechanism that requires strict cybersecurity measures.

2) Integrating AI With Cyber Security

With AI being introduced in all market segments, this technology with  a combination of machine learning has brought tremendous changes in  cybersecurity. AI has been paramount in building automated security  systems, natural language processing, face detection, and automatic  threat detection. Although it is also being used to develop smart  malware and attacks to bypass the latest security protocols in  controlling data. AI-enabled threat detection systems can predict new  attacks and notify admins for any data breach instantly, making it the  next cyber security trend in 2021.

3) Mobile is the New Target

Cybersecurity trends provide a considerable increase (50 percent)  for mobile banking malware or attacks in 2019, making our handheld  devices a potential prospect for hackers. All our photos, financial  transactions, emails, and messages possess more threats to individuals.  Smartphone's virus or malware may capture the attention of cybersecurity  trends in 2021.

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4) Cloud is Also Potentially Vulnerable

With more and more organizations now established on clouds, security  measures need to be continuously monitored and updated to safeguard the  data from leaks. Although cloud applications such as Google or Microsoft  are well equipped with security from their end still, it's the user end  that acts as a significant source for erroneous errors, malicious  software, and phishing attacks.

5) Data Breaches: Prime target

Data will continue to be a leading concern for organizations around  the world. Whether it be for an individual or organization, safeguarding  digital data is the primary goal now. Any minor flaw or bug in your  system browser or software is a potential vulnerability for hackers to  access personal information. New strict measures General Data Protection  Regulation (GDPR) was enforced from May 25th, 2018 onwards, offering data protection and privacy  for individuals in the European Union(EU). Similarly, the California  Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) was applied after January 1st, 2020, for  safeguarding consumer rights in the California area.

6) IoT with 5G Network: The New Era of Technology and Risks

Next raging cyber security trend for 2021 is the IoT with 5G  networks. With 5G networks expected to roll out in 2020 globally, a new  era of inter-connectivity will become a reality with the Internet of Things (IoT).  This communication between multiple devices also opens them to  vulnerabilities from outside influence, attacks, or an unknown software  bug. Even the world's most used browser supported by Google Chrome was found to have serious flaws.  5G architecture is still effectively new in the industry and requires a  lot of research to find loopholes to make the system secure from  external attack. Every step of the 5G network might bring a plethora of  network attacks that we might not be aware of. Here manufacturers need  to be very strict in building sophisticated 5G hardware and software to  control data breaches.

7) Automation and Integration

Here's the next cyber security trend - with the size of data  multiplying every day, it is eminent that automation is integrated to  give more sophisticated control over the information. Modern hectic work  demand also pressurizes professionals and engineers to deliver quick  and proficient solutions, making automation more valuable than ever.  Security measurements are incorporated during the agile process to build  more secure software in every aspect. Large and complex web  applications are further hard to safeguard, making automation, as well  as cyber security, to be a vital concept of the software development  process.

8) Targeted Ransomware

Another significant trend in cybersecurity is that we can't seem to  ignore for 2020 is targeted ransomware. Especially in the developed  nation's industries rely heavily on specific software to run their daily  activities. These ransomware targets are more focussed, such as the  Wanna Cry attack on the National Health Service hospitals in England  Scotland corrupted more than 70,000 medical devices.  Though generally, ransomware asks to threaten to publish victim's data  unless a ransom is paid still, it can affect the large organization or  in case of nations too.

9) State-Sponsored Cyber Warfare

There won't be any stoppage between the western and eastern powers in  attempts to find superiority. The tension between the US and Iran or  Chinese hackers often creates worldwide news though the attacks are few;  they have a significant impact on an event such as elections. And with  more than 70 elections bound to be held this year, criminal activities  during this time will surge. Expect high-profile data breaches,  political and industrial secrets to top cyber security trends for 2021.

10) Insider Threats

Human error is still one of the primary reasons for the data breach.  Any bad day or intentional loophole can bring down a whole organization  with millions of stolen data. Report by Verizon in data breach gives  strategic insights on cybersecurity trends that the employees directly  or indirectly made 34 percent of total attacks. So make sure you create  more awareness within premises to safeguard data in every way possible.