Latest Cybersecurity Trends in 2022

Cybersecurity is a primary goal for organizations that are a part of the digital revolution and want to keep their data safe from online attacks or unauthorized access. Therefore, traditional cybersecurity control policies become obsolete as the digital footprint expands, and organizations must deploy alternate solutions like SASE VPN. 

Fully remote or hybrid work over the cloud has introduced new threats in the ecosystem, like using compromised credentials to deliver sophisticated ransomware. Continuous improvements and technological developments have led to a change in cybersecurity trends; here are the important ones you should keep an eye on. 

Cloud infrastructures come with inherent vulnerabilities

Despite the flexibility and cost savings, cloud services contain inherent vulnerabilities that pose a significant threat to organizations that use the cloud daily. The associated complexities of numerous distributed devices and the integration of third-party services make it difficult for organizations to implement comprehensive security controls to contain attacks. 

According to a study by Checkpoint, misconfigurations in cloud security and excessive third-party APIs are two primary causes of data leaks or unauthorized access to cloud resources. Modern cloud applications are built by integrating numerous frameworks, packages, and plugins. Even when third-party integrations offer simplified development workflows, it offers less oversight of application resources that are in use. 

Now, organizations have begun adopting Cloud Security Posture Management for identifying and preventing misconfigurations as the system automates security administration and compliance. 

Remote work requires security

Organizations had to adjust their business model and move forward with the remote working experiment to facilitate business activities during lockdowns. The experiment was a success; it removed all reservations regarding how the employees would complete their daily tasks but brought a new wave of vulnerabilities. 

Some organizations went forward with inadequate implementations of security policies and a lack of knowledge on how they can enforce them to protect the cloud. Attackers learned and deployed new techniques to exploit network securities like unsecured internet connections and single-layer protection to acquire sensitive information. 

The rise in threats shifted the focus of organizations towards robust cybersecurity solutions that enforce policies, secure data, and respond to incidents related to remote workforces. The most suitable option is to move forward with a SASE framework, which combines numerous technologies and capabilities to protect the cloud, sensitive data, and users. 

The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence has tremendously changed cybersecurity. AI can be used to build automated security systems, face detection, and automated security protocols. If an organization implements an AI-enabled threat detection system, it can predict new attacks and instantly notify admins regarding a data breach. 

Identity needs to come first

Numerous fully remote organizations have started identity-first security programs that offer access to secure resources while emphasizing user identity verification instead of authorizing users through traditional login methods. Since hackers can easily get their hands on credentials, the identity first technique uses Identity Detection and Response protocols and detect compromised user profiles that can be used to initiate an attack. 

Therefore, an identity-first security strategy extends beyond authentication and authorization by including broader access controls like session management and threat analysis to provide holistic protection to resources. Multi-Factor Authentication and Single Sign-On are two common identity-based security measures that every organization managing a remote workforce should consider. 

Steep rise in ransomware attacks 

Even in 2022, ransomware attacks continue to be a part of cybersecurity trends, and IT teams must enforce security policies through a robust cybersecurity solution. During a ransomware attack, threat actors deploy malicious software through a compromised device to facilitate the illegal seizure of computing data or resources. Attackers then demand a ransom to unblock large amounts of data, commonly containing personally identifiable information. 

Cybercriminals also enhance their exploits by integrating them with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cryptocurrencies. Even when organizations are working hard to adopt regulatory guidance by embracing tools and technologies to increase their security posture, the increase in the threat landscape continues to be a concern. 

Need for GDPR compliance 

Regulatory agencies like GDPR enforce data privacy laws across numerous countries, and organizations are now adding data privacy officers to their cybersecurity teams to increase compliance with mandatory security regulations. Data protection measures like encryption, role-based logins, MFA, and credential protections are also being implemented by organizations to increase data privacy. 

GDPR implements a unified and consistent data protection law for all European Union member states. While GDPR focuses on protecting EU citizens, the regulation has affected global data security efforts because it applies to all goods and services in the EU.

The data privacy law requires organizations to use legally defined guidelines while collecting, processing and persisting user data. The regulations imposed by GDPR also include protocols to protect data from exploitation and misuse. To meet compliance requirements, organizations have to: 

• Establish a legal and transparent data processing method 
• Review data protection policies 
• Determine the independent public authority to monitor compliance 
• Conduct impact assessment of data protection efforts 
• Hire a data protection officer 
• Conduct training to secure data processing

Opt for Security-as-a-Service 

Organizations need to consider a cloud-based managed security solution like SECaaS to mitigate threats without incurring enormous overhead costs. Security-as-a-service is becoming a growing industry as it assists organizations in reducing the workload on in-house cybersecurity teams and allows them to scale seamlessly as the business grows.

SECaaS offers security at a granular level; organizations can outsource most common security services like: 

• Intrusion protection
• Email security 
• Network security 
• Security information 
• Event management 
• Disaster recovery 

Threats to mobile security 

The pandemic accelerated the use of BYOD policies and promoted work from any culture. Employees preferred using their personal devices for work, and organizations had to grant them privileges to sensitive data for their daily tasks. Organizations had to deal with the vulnerabilities even when the culture stimulates collaboration and increases workplace mobility by reducing the need for devices. 

Mobile devices generate malicious traffic like:

• Commands originating from malware-infected devices 
• Redirects to unrecognized or malicious URLs
• Phishing messages to capture authentication data

Public internet connections and mobile devices expose the potential security gaps that facilitate numerous phishing attacks that can compromise credentials and sensitive data. Common mobile security threats include: 

• Data leaks 
• Network spoofing 
• Spyware and malware 
• E-commerce fraud 
• Account takeover

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is necessary to ensure the safety of sensitive data stored in the cloud. Staying updated with the dynamic security landscape helps organizations take proactive countermeasures to contain threats and vulnerabilities. Embracing technology helps organizations grow rapidly, making them susceptible to attacks and other security risks. A robust cybersecurity solution like SASE is perfect for organizations managing a remote workforce as it operates on the identity-first principle.