Cyber security challenges in 2022

Cyber Security as we all know, is one of the most important sectors dedicated to fighting the growing cyber threats, globally.

Askaris Cyber Security are dedicated to helping our customers fight the war on cybercrime.

There are many current challenges that organisations face with the growing threats and attacks against their users. The cyber security landscape is ever-changing as new technologies emerge and force businesses to take the right measures and to secure their networks, users, and endpoints.

The investment in cyber security is expected to grow exponentially by 11% in 2021 to $73.54 billion in the US (Gartner 2021) and the global cyber security market projected to exceed $330 billion by 2027.

Whether it's the Internet of Things (IoT) growing in size and scale or the introduction of 5G technology, businesses across all industries must encourage their IT departments to enhance their cyber security defences and provide relevant cyber security training to all important decision-makers in the company.

The leaders of Askaris Cyber Security have commented saying “organisations must secure their assets including sensitive data, endpoints, and their vital network infrastructure”.

Organisations that wish to move forward securely and prevent catastrophic losses at the hands of cyber criminals or malicious threat actors, must act now. It’s safe to say that as time goes on, cyber security threats become more complex as malicious actors become more technologically advanced.

We think that now is the time to implement preventative measures and guarantee your protection against cyber criminals.

The Askaris Cyber Security team have discussed the 5 main challenges that organisations face in 2022.

• Protecting your remote workforce

  It’s been clear that remote working during and post the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an extra security strain on organisations across the globe. We have seen that most organisations with the capacity for their workforce to work remotely, have done so.

  What does this mean for your business and users? Well, working remotely places a greater risk of your workforce (users) being attacked by global threat actors, looking to exploit your users and their end point devices, to gain access to your network.

  This is not to say that traditional office setting environments ensure total protection against cyber-attacks, but it just means that your remote employees can end up being targeted with their vulnerabilities, when working remotely.

  More often than not, organisations have distributed work environments, the cyber security risks for remote employees increase in number and scale. Remote employees who use their home networks have a much greater chance of becoming victims of security breaches.

  The good news is that with our partner Check Point Harmony, you can utilise their 360-degree user protection technology, to keep your staff safe. Whether it’s a phishing attempt, malicious email attachments, or zero-day ransomware, Harmony will protect your remote users from all cyber threats, across all attack vectors.

• Emergence of 5G Applications

  With the emergence of 5G networks, applications, and its ability to increase speed and responsiveness of wireless communications, brings about new cyber security challenges. With new technology, comes new risks.

  5G further complicates its cyber vulnerability by virtualising in software higher-level network functions formerly performed by physical appliances. These activities are based on the common language of Internet Protocol and well-known operating systems. Whether used by nation-states or criminal actors, these standardized building block protocols and systems have proven to be valuable tools for those seeking to exploit your network.

• Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Attacks

  You may have heard a lot about Blockchain and Cryptocurrency technology, but what we do know is that it is growing rapidly, and so are the attacks. As crypto transactions are digital, it's only natural that cyber security measures need to be taken to protect against instances of identity theft, security breaches, and other potential threats.

  The last thing an investor, a crypto exchange, a company dealing with blockchain, or cryptocurrency, wants is for any information to become compromised. Companies must, therefore, look at seriously investing in their IT infrastructure and protecting themselves in the event of a cyber security attack.

• Internet of Things (IoT) Attacks

  For those unaware of the Internet of Things (IoT), it's essentially the interconnection of physical objects using various sensors that communicate with each other. As more data is transmitted between devices, gaps may exist, which leaves room for hackers or other cybercriminals to exploit information.

  While connected devices are known for their convenience and intelligence, it's clear that it opens up more opportunities for cybercriminals to take advantage of networks. Companies need to stay ahead of the curve by implementing a stable cyber security infrastructure and dedicated IT department as the world becomes increasingly interconnected.

  Thankfully, there's legislation in place called the Internet of Things Cyber security Act of 2020. The act creates security standards for IoT devices and encompasses other IT issues, putting in place at least some degree of protection for IoT devices and their use. While one act may not be enough, it's certainly a step in the right direction.

• Phishing Scams

  Though more people are becoming digitally literate, phishing is still a threat for cyber security professionals globally. For example, the COVID-19 vaccine has sparked an uptick in potential phishing attacks, making it a challenge to look out for in the latter half of 2021.

  There have been reports of fake vaccination emails going around, and unfortunately, online users are still falling victim to phishing scams. Companies can protect their employees by implementing access control guidelines, even when they're working from home.

  Cyber security training and awareness also emerges as a critical component when it comes to protecting the business from phishing scams.

While there are plenty more challenges to be aware of in 2021, this list serves as a good place to start for businesses who want to get serious about their cyber security.

The past few years have been turbulent, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, there's no denying that. But now is the time for organisations to take cyber security seriously. The emergence of new technologies has presented us all with more challenges from cyber protection that must be addressed.

Askaris Cyber Security have been protecting valuable customer information for more than 20+ years, supporting users with proper training and helping customers develop robust cyber security strategies. All designed to help our customers stay ahead of the cyber criminals and ensure business continuity, in this modern turbulent world.

For more information on how to protect your organisation, contact us today to learn more.