As we witnessed in 2016, the issue of cybersecurity seems to be firmly entrenched as one of the most consequential issues impacting both international security and economic stability in 2017. That makes an understanding of existing and emerging cyber risks more important than ever before.
According to Steve Weisman, a professor at Bentley University, this year will likely be shaped by newsmaking events in cybersecurity. He predicts that the year in cybersecurity will likely be dominated by these areas:
Commercial espionage will increase. Domestic and international corporate espionage through hacking will increase as companies raid the intellectual property and trade secrets of other companies for profit. If you’re looking to keep your data safe from competitors, a managed cybersecurity solution could be an easy remedy.
Law firms will become increasingly victimized by data breaches. Law firms and legal professionals alike will be targeted for private information about the companies and clients that they represent. The information sought by cybercriminals is primarily thought to be related market knowledge for purposes of insider trading.
The rate of ransomware attacks will grow. Ransomware is a type of malware used to encrypt all of your computer or smartphone data. The hackers who put it there then threaten to destroy your data unless you pay a ransom. Ransomware is used against companies, government agencies and individuals, so all of us face this threat, a threat that’s set to increase in 2017. Remember, never click on any link in an email or text message unless you have absolutely confirmed that it is legitimate.
The Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to be an area of vulnerability. The modern rush of many companies to develop Internet-connected devices without building in stronger security as an initial component of the products will result in significant problems. Recent cyberattacks that harnessed digital devices to cripple websites confirm the concerns that many cybersecurity experts have as many connected corporate-owned devices like fax machines have outdated firmware and can be easily hacked.
Mobile devices will become the latest cybersecurity frontier. Cybercriminals will increasingly target companies and individuals that utilize smartphones and other mobile devices for sensitive activities such as banking. In order to make your mobile devices more secure, consider having a PIN or a password for your phone. It’s amazing but only about half of people take this essential step. You should also keep your device up to date with the latest security patches. Only get apps from legitimate sources such as the App Store or Google Play and avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive communications
These are only a few of the protective measures and precautions that can be taken in order to better protect your business for cyberattack. Remember, while no one is completely immune from a data security breach, we can all strive to become better prepared and protected.
