3 Ways the Threat Landscape Is Changing

Recent innovations in how we work (including AI and ML technologies) are spurring rapid transformation in the world of cybersecurity. Our new e-book, Secure From Every Angle, details the latest trends in cybersecurity and how organizations can stay ahead.

Cybersecurity has always been a cat-and-mouse game. Malicious actors persistently discover new methods to target and exploit organizations, while defenders continuously innovate to counteract and address these threats.

However, the present landscape of threats is undergoing a distinct transformation. The era of digital transformation reached a pivotal juncture during the pandemic with remote and hybrid work becoming essential to modern organizations. These trends are profoundly influencing the optimal strategies for safeguarding networks and personnel.

Secure From Every Angle delves into the significant shifts within the industry that are propelling seismic changes in both current and future threat landscapes. It elucidates what lies ahead for the field of cybersecurity across organizations worldwide. Here are a few quick pointers:

1. The Shift to Cloud Has Gone Mainstream

Before the pandemic, a gradual and consistent shift toward cloud services was taking place. During that time, businesses transferred certain applications and tasks to the cloud while retaining many within their on-premises systems. But over the last 3 years, the adoption of cloud technology has experienced an explosive surge. In fact, Google reports that 41% of business leaders intend to expand their use of cloud-based services.

Naturally, this rapid transition from traditional systems to cloud-based ones exposes organizations to significant security vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities range from adapting legacy security tools for cloud usage to potential misconfigurations in cloud infrastructure. Modern-day threat actors capitalize on these weak points for their malicious activities.

2. The Nature of Work Has Changed Fundamentally

In spite of the recent return-to-office initiatives from major tech companies, the reality is that remote and hybrid work is probably going to remain a significant part of the business landscape. Certain teams might continue with hybrid arrangements – 3 to 4 days in the office per week – while others might opt for ongoing flexibility and remote work.

Considering cybersecurity, these geographically dispersed teams will access networks through a diverse range of devices, including both secured and potentially unsecured wireless connections. This growing intricacy within the network significantly amplifies the number of endpoints and applications, exposing organizations to potential security vulnerabilities.

3. A New Era of Malicious Tools

Artificial intelligence is the number one buzzword of 2023, and for good reason. The sudden surge of interest in generative AI and machine learning has validated the growing concern about novel technologies in the wrong hands. Today’s threat actors already use AI to automate activities, such as ransomware, phishing and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Destructive tools like WormGPT, coupled with cybercrime-as-a-service offerings, lower the barriers to entry for malicious actors. This gives them the chance to profit from sophisticated exploits.

Meanwhile, traditional security operations centers (SOCs) are labor-intensive and reliant on manual processes. Many organizations that lack comprehensive defenses are more susceptible and slower in their response to security breaches.

How Can Organizations Stay Ahead?

As we get closer to 2024, CISOs and security leaders have a significant opportunity to assess their organization's risk readiness and gear up to counter emerging threats. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and well-financed, with elevated levels of complexity. To effectively modernize and repel threat actors, you’ll need to look beyond traditional defenses.

In the face of these evolving dynamics, how can organizations stay ahead of adversaries? It starts with understanding a set of pivotal cybersecurity focal points. Learn more about the biggest trends impacting today’s cybersecurity landscape and the primary areas of concern for fortifying your security posture.

Download our e-book, Secure From Every Angle.