In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to significantly change the way they work. Due to government-mandated lockdowns, many businesses implemented remote work to curb the spread of the virus. Computers and cloud software therefore played a crucial role in establishing seamless remote work environments. At the same time, the increased use of network technologies meant that cybercriminals had even more opportunities to attack businesses and steal their data.
However, as cybercriminals became ever more sophisticated in their methods to siphon private data or inflict ransomware attacks, cybersecurity techniques and protocols ramped up to meet them. Security experts have also been hard at work developing countermeasures to detect and prevent attacks and leaks. That’s why 2021 is shaping up to have more than its fair share of cybersecurity breakthroughs. We at F1 Solutions have compiled the following trends that we expect to heat up in the year ahead.
Improved cloud infrastructure
Cloud solutions have been growing in popularity even before the pandemic, thanks to the improvements in flexibility and productivity that they offer. The lockdown hastened even more the adoption of cloud solutions to accommodate work from home practices. With so much data now housed in cloud infrastructure, cybercriminals have taken advantage of inadequate security measures that have arisen due to the mad rush to migrate to the cloud. Stricter security protocols and testing features are set for widespread adoption in 2021.
Transparent settlements
As business activities, processes, and operations have migrated online and taken digital form, so have financial transactions. For members of the banking, financial services, and insurance sector, the priority is to ensure that financial transactions are conducted in a timely, precise, and secure manner. One trend this year and also for 2021 is the use of cryptographic systems that provide transparency for all relevant parties to these transactions while keeping them locked against unsanctioned parties.
AI integration
Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized a number of disciplines, such as manufacturing and marketing, thanks to automation and systems integration. Security is no different, with AI enabling security professionals, developers, and engineers to achieve greater protection and wider breadth with fewer resources and platforms.
BYOD and mobile security
The widespread and rapid adoption of remote work has led many businesses to sanction the use of bring your own device (BYOD) practices, enabling employees to access company data and resources through personal mobile phones, laptops, or tablets. Doing so has saved businesses the material and logistical costs of providing every employee with a company-sanctioned device, and enabled companies to react more quickly to the needs of the new landscape. Such devices, however, pose unique — at times greater — security risks than company devices, and efforts to address these will continue throughout 2021.
IoT security
The Internet of Things (IoT), which involves everyday devices being connected to one another, has led to a number of risks that have not yet been the focal point of security efforts to date. Security concerns include IoT devices containing unencrypted personal data, sourcing software and firmware updates from unverified sources, and using unsecured wireless communication. These security concerns will need much attention in 2021.
Protecting against insider attacks
Data leaks have become even more contingent on verified parties, such as employees, acting improperly. Much of this is due to carelessness and lack of sufficient training in cybercrime identification and handling. But how do you provide cybersecurity training for remote employees? Businesses will continue to invest in this space given the direction work practices are headed in 2021.
Knowing all about these cybersecurity trends going into 2021 is just half the battle. Call F1 Solutions now and ensure your business is equipped to face the challenges of the new decade.
