What's new in cyber security?

1. Hacking within the automotive industry

The automotive industry is currently experiencing significant growth and technological advancements due to the increasing interest and popularity of electric vehicles (EV) worldwide. Electric vehicles are modern automotives that integrate advanced systems and software for automated connectivity and driver assistance – such as cruise control, door lock, airbags, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and more.

Unfortunately, whenever there is new technology, it opens itself up to alternative cyber vulnerabilities and new threats from hackers.

Within the automotive industry, the latest cyber security trend (and fear) is that hackers will gain control of automated vehicles and use microphones for eavesdropping. Therefore, technology used in the automotive industry requires strict cyber security measures to prevent this from happening and disasters occurring. It’s expected that this is an area that will grow to ensure EVs are protected against emerging cyber threats.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancing cyber threat detection

Artificial intelligence, also referred to as AI, is an area within the tech industry that is expected to evolve and grow year-on-year. AI technology is beginning to be introduced into numerous different sectors.

AI focuses on these components: machine learning, reasoning and problem-solving. It analyses and finds patterns in large sets of data and is able to detect anomalies more efficiently.  

In recent years, AI has assisted cyber security through innovations in building automated security systems, natural language processing, face detection, as well as automatic threat detection. These technological developments have enabled cyber threat detection systems to predicts new attacks, and notify admins of any breaches, immediately. It is expected that this is an area that will continue to grow.

3. Increase in malware on smartphones

You may have noticed since the Covid pandemic in 2020, a considerable increase in the number of spam text messages and emails received that have malicious intent.

Cyber-attacks are experiencing a considerable increase on mobile, particularly when it comes to banking malware. As we’re steadily relying more on these handheld devices, and they’re slowly holding more and more of our personal data – from photos, financial transactions, emails, personal messages they possess great threat to individuals (and for businesses too, if employees are using their personal mobile phone for and at work).

With all this in mind, it is expected that smartphone virus and malware will increase as the years go on, with steps being taken in cyber security to address this shift and prevent attack.

4. Cyber security awareness training for using the Cloud

The world of work and storing data has shifted, with many organisations now using cloud storage. This means that cyber security measures need to be continually monitored and updated in this area to ensure a business’s online data doesn’t experience a breach.

While many cloud solution providers offer security their end, from a user perspective, measures also need to be taken to ensure human error doesn’t lead to malicious software or phishing attacks on these platforms. This is where it is expected that there will be an increase in demand for cyber security awareness training for employees using the Cloud and how to reduce the risk of causing a security breach.

5. Increase in data breaches

Data is valuable. With anything that’s valuable, it needs to be safeguarded and should be a business’s primary goal when it comes to implementing cyber security services. Any flaw or vulnerability in your business’s systems or IT infrastructure could lead to a potential data breach.

Ongoing cyber security services are required to prevent vulnerabilities in your systems or infrastructure from acting as a gateway for hackers to exploit and access sensitive and important information.

While many businesses are taking cyber security seriously and taking steps to reduce their risk, many others are not treating this as a priority. Naturally, this will lead to an increase in data breaches and more and more businesses needing the services of a cyber incident response team to recover their systems.

6. Vulnerabilities and risks on the 5G network

Another cyber security trend that we can expect to see in 2023 is the newest form of inter-connectivity: the 5G network.

Whilst the 5G network has enabled greater connectivity between devices, it also opens itself up to vulnerabilities from external attacks, unknown software and bugs. As this network is relatively new in the industry, there is a degree of risk and it will require new cyber security measures and constant monitoring to ensure users are secure from cyber threats and data breaches.

7. Increase in targeted ransomware

This cyber security trend has been a continual feature in the age of computers. Targeted ransomware is one that will be a constant in the cyber security world, and will require pre-emptive and reactive updates in the approach as changes to select ransomware occur. Ransomware will often threaten to make public a victim’s data unless a ransom is paid. Its expected that ransomware, particularly in the medical and health sector, will increase in 2023 and beyond.

What’s the future of cyber security? It’s difficult to look at a calendar and make predications for what the future of cyber security will hold – especially when its an industry that’s always evolving and fast-paced.

However, other latest cyber security trends expected for 2023 include cyber warfare, insider threats and human error, remote working risks, evolving social engineering attacks, MFA improvements, the changing shape of financial fraud, and the rise of phishing attacks.

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