As an IT security professional, you’re in the business of predicting the future. Will today’s technologies translate into tomorrow’s vulnerabilities? Is there a threat on the horizon you’re ill-prepared to counter? What are other companies doing to keep pace with rapid changes in the threat landscape? To help spark conversation and prepare for future challenges, we’ve asked our executive team to provide seven security predictions for 2019.
Security Prediction 1 – Machine Learning (ML) Makes Devices and Apps Smarter
Using machine data effectively to predict outcomes, behaviors, and trends is crucial in helping enterprises realize transformative results. AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML will assume center stage in leading innovation and digital transformation on a remarkable scale, affecting productivity across the board.
Ingenuity – whether human or “artificial”– knows no bounds, and developing ML solutions to efficiently harness data that informs and enhances intelligence in devices and apps will be a considerable priority.
Security Prediction 2 – Consumer Support from Security Rating Agencies
Consumer review sites are a great way to rate products, services, and experiences, but there’s nothing that helps consumers evaluate security solutions. Similar to financial credit agencies, cyber-rating agencies will provide consumers with ratings for company security postures, and identity management will be taken more seriously.
Security Prediction 3 – IoT, RPA & API Governance Take Center Stage
Weak security associated with IoT/IIoT (Internet of Things/Industrial Internet of Things) and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) environments resulted in breaches, becoming a catalyst for increased investment in governance and access risk solutions. Additionally, device types are growing faster than the number of device users, and we’re seeing devices tied to critical objectives such as patient care and power grid security. The RPA market that was valued at $357.5 million globally is expected to grow to $8.75 billion by 2024, and automation will continue to dominate technology trends in the coming years.
The number of active IoT devices is expected to grow to 10 billion by 2020 and will reach 22 billion by 2025. Since the IoT/IIoT and their associated Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) lack appropriate levels of security to match risk levels, demand for robust governance and more secure ecosystems have become significant security factors in virtually every industry.
Security Prediction 4 – Cloud Computing is Paramount
Companies will continue to shift data and operational computing tasks to the cloud. Similar to the IoT/IIoT development lifecycle, cloud security historically took a back seat to functionality.
That’s why a sharp focus on securing cloud computing platforms is the next logical step in cloud migrations, and we expect cloud computing providers to invest more in governance and security. Financial controls will need to be strengthened to accommodate blockchain transaction tech and alternate (altcoin) virtual cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin Cash, Zcash, Ethereum, Ripple, Cardano, Litecoin, NEM, Stellar, NEO, Iota, Dash, Monero, and Tron.
Security Prediction 5 – Cybercriminals Launch Viral Campaigns
A seemingly innocuous post on social media by cybercriminals went viral, resulting in massive exposure of biometrics and personal data. Phishing emails became more sophisticated, with PDF decoys from apparently legitimate senders.
Identity management is now paramount to security and continues to be a prominent target for cybercriminals. Social media trends such as the Ten-Year Challenge coupled with the use of AI to capture facial metrics present a new threat.
Security Prediction 6 – Organizations Overhaul Cloud Privileged Access Management (Cloud PAM)
Digitization continues to fuel unprecedented growth in big data and services facilitated by cloud computing solutions, increasing the quantity and severity of data breaches.
IT security departments will realize the need to disrupt traditional Cloud PAM domains and focus on cloud-based governance/access with effective scaling that supports digitization.
Security Prediction 7 – Cloud Breaches Result in Bitter Disputes
Significant breaches in cloud-based computing platforms will create exposure for multiple companies, creating prolonged legal disputes. Cloud security will be the biggest threat to enterprises, with increasingly sophisticated attack vectors. Liability is often subject to dispute, and involved parties are reluctant to admit fault to avoid negative PR, fines and punitive legal action.
Tell us what you think! Do you agree or disagree with our security predictions? Please share your perspective in the comments section, and thanks for your involvement. Contact us to learn more.
