Top cybersecurity trends for 2023

In 2022, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are a top concern, when high-profile data breaches continue to occur, reflecting the sophistication of cyber threats.

A simmering pot of cyber-attacks has disrupted corporate and government digital landscapes through phishing, insider threats, compromised business emails, and misconfigured codes have consistently been common trends in security. 

In 2023, they will still be trends, but other factors and developments will also impact a vulnerable cybersecurity ecosystem. 

Cybersecurity trends involves protecting computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, theft, and damage. 

These attacks, also known as cyber threats, can come in many forms, such as malware, ransomware, phishing, and hacking.

There are several trends in cybersecurity that are worth noting:

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

A strong connection exists between artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity due to the way AI can be used to identify and respond to real-time cyber threats.

There are a number of ways in which artificial intelligence can improve cybersecurity:

Data from a variety of sources, such as social media, the dark web, and public records, can be analyzed using AI to identify patterns that may indicate information security threats, blocking malicious traffic and quarantining infected files, it can also automate responses to threats. 

AI can also  be used to identify unusual or suspicious activity, which may indicate a cyberattack, by analyzing user behavior. Using artificial intelligence, cybersecurity professionals can identify and patch vulnerabilities, detect and respond to attacks, and monitor network traffic. 

Due to the rapid increase in attempted cyberattacks, human cybersecurity experts have had increasing difficulty predicting where the most dangerous attacks will occur next. AI can help in this situation. However, it is important to remember that although AI has the potential to significantly improve cybersecurity by helping organizations identify and respond to threats more quickly and accurately, it can also be a target for cyberattacks. 

Business Email Attacks (BEC)

BEC can have attractive payouts. The scams involve false emails that appear to come from trusted sources such as company executives, employees, or vendors. In order to get their victims to act quickly, they frequently use manipulative social engineering tactics to urge them to transfer funds urgently.

Payroll diversion scams are a common attack. In this scam, scammers pretend to be employees and ask the payroll team to change the direct deposit account details.  The emails may appear legitimate and contain a compelling backstory that lends credibility to them.  

IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of connected devices that can communicate with each other and the internet. These devices may include smartphones, smart home devices, industrial control systems, and many other types of devices.

While the IoT offers many benefits, it also introduces new cybersecurity risks. First of all, many IoT devices have weak security, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to the device and the network it is connected to. In addition, many IoT devices do not receive regular software updates, which leaves them open to vulnerabilities that have been discovered and patched in newer versions of the software. 

Another issue is that the communication between IoT devices and the servers they connect to may not be adequately secured. Finally, insiders, such as employees or contractors, may have access to IoT devices and the data they collect. They may intentionally or unintentionally compromise the security of these devices and the data they collect.

To protect against these and other IoT-related cybersecurity threats, it is important for organizations to secure their devices and networks, and to implement best practices such as regularly updating software and using strong passwords.

Working from home

As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to shift to remote work, work-from-home cybersecurity has become a priority for businesses around the world. Remote work introduces new cybersecurity risks, as employees may be using personal devices and unsecured home networks to access company resources.

Looking up into 2023, businesses will need to implement new measures to secure their networks and data. These measures may include: provide employees with laptops or other devices that are owned and managed by the company, implementing virtual private networks (VPNs) to help encrypt internet connections and protect data transmitted over the internet, enabling two-factor authentication, provide employee training about the risks of working from home and the measures they can take to protect themselves and the company's data. 

Businesses will also have to update their policies and procedures to account for the unique challenges of remote work, including the use of personal devices and the handling of sensitive data.

Overall, work-from-home cybersecurity topics has become a top priority for businesses as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic. By taking steps to secure their networks and data, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from cyber threats.

State-sponsored warfare

International state-sponsored cyber attackers are groups or individuals who are sponsored by a government to conduct cyber attacks against other countries or organizations. These attacks can have a variety of motivations, such as espionage, sabotage, or political gain.In the last years, news about Iran, Chinese or Rusiisan cyber attacks have become more and more common. 

State-sponsored warfares often have access to advanced resources and technologies, making them a significant threat. They may use a variety of tactics to conduct their attacks, such as viruses, worms, or ransomware, to compromise systems and steal data, phishing, spearphishing APTs and more.

Governments around the world are taking a number of initiatives to improve cybersecurity technologies. These initiatives may include: Implementing cybersecurity regulations and laws, providing funding for cybersecurity research, establishing cybersecurity agencies, providing cybersecurity education and training, and more.

Cloud vulnerability 

Cyber security industry trends continue to focus on cloud vulnerabilities. Scalability, efficiency, and cost savings are just some of the benefits of cloud services. However, they are also a prime target for attackers. As more and more organizations establish themselves in the cloud, security measures need to be continually monitored and updated to safeguard data from leaks. 

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Some common potential threats to the security of cloud computing systems such cloud-based CRM include: data breaches, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, malware, insider threats, account hijacking and more. 

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Appropriate measures to protect systems and data in the cloud may include implementing strong security protocols, regularly updating software and security measures, and educating employees about best practices for security in the cloud.

Ransomware

The threat of ransomware should be on the radar of every cybersecurity team.

Ransomware is without a doubt one of the most prominent types of malware. These attacks have disrupted hospitals, crippled public services in cities, and severely damaged various organizations. 

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In the digital age, ransomware attacks are so frequent that it feels like it’s a matter of time before you get hit. This type of attack can affect almost anyone, from public institutions to large businesses. Malicious actors continue to evolve their ransomware tactics as time goes on. In order to protect themselves against ransomware, users should never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails, back up their data regularly, and use safe practices when using Internet-connected devices.

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CRM systems - A goldmine for hackers

Having a CRM system is one of the most valuable assets for a business, enabling it to establish meaningful relationships with customers, find new prospects and gain revenue.

Since a CRM contains so much data, it can damage your company's reputation and cause consumer distrust if your CRM data is hacked and leaked to the public.

In an effort to mitigate the negative impact of fake users and bots on their operations and performance, CRM administrators and even operations staff are becoming involved in cybersecurity discussions.

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Several CRM features can be managed or programmed to ensure the highest level of security is provided for data stored on servers. This data is accessed by multiple users across many platforms on a daily basis. Examples include using browser-based CRM applications, CRM customization for data access, banning offline access to devices, and limiting sharing of data.

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Towards 2023

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly critical concern for individuals, businesses, and governments in the digital age. We must protect ourselves and our data from cyber threats as connected devices and the internet become more prevalent and used for communication and commerce.

To practice effective cybersecurity, individuals and organizations should get active and take a number of measures to secure their devices and networks. Similarly, organizations should develop policies and procedures for responding to and recovering from cyberattacks as part of their cybersecurity plan. A security assessment may help identify and address vulnerabilities, as well as incident response plans and employee training programs.

Almost all organizations today pay significant attention to infrastructure security. Therefore, it is a wise idea to start their learning curve in cybersecurity today in order to become experts tomorrow. Organizations and individuals will be more eager to add security measures due to these cybersecurity trends in 2023.

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To ensure your data is protected, Fireberry adheres to the industry's strictest security measures, so you can be assured that your data is safe with us.

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