Fostering a culture of awareness around cybersecurity issues is critical for any organization. Here are five top cybersecurity trends in 2023 to monitor.
Internet of Things
Internet of Things (IoT) devices make everyday life more streamlined and organized. However, as we connect together and network through these devices we open up potential access points to cybercriminals to hack into our data. Analysts at Gartner predict there will be 43 billion IoT-connected devices in the world.
Manufacturers haven’t always been focused on keeping IoT devices such as wearable technology and alarm systems secure with frequent security patches and updates. That’s changing, however, as it’s been proven that while these devices don’t store data themselves, attackers can often find ways to infiltrate them gateways to access other networked devices that might. Today, for example, you’re less likely to find a device shipped with a default password that doesn’t require the user to immediately set a new password.
Remote Work Normalized
Working from home is no longer a novelty but the norm. According to a McKinsey/Ipsos survey, 58 percent of American workers were able to work from home at least one day a week in 2022, while 38 percent were not required to be in the office at all. Employees are using personal devices to remotely connect to work networks, potentially exposing themselves and their companies to cyberthreats.
Home Wi-Fi networks connected to corporate devices and laptops tend to have lower levels of security, making it easier for attackers to potentially infiltrate corporate networks. In 2023 we may see companies implementing stricter BYOD policies, or offering separate home networking equipment for remote team members. This is all leading towards a rising focus on user awareness and increased employee identity protection.
Increased Cloud Security
The pandemic accelerated cloud adoption as organizations pivoted to maintain continuous operations in a challenging environment. Unfortunately this has led to an increase in cloud-related security incidents both in terms of types and frequency of attacks.
According to Gartner, in 2023 enterprise workloads deployed in cloud infrastructure will double, up from 20% in 2020 to 40%. Unfortunately the current economic climate may result in tighter budgets.
Zero Trust Security Approach
The term “zero trust” will continue to rise as more employees are working remotely. A zero trust approach eliminates the concept of the security perimeter and trusted identity. This security concept does not allow access to, for example, machines and IP addresses until the user is authorized.
Research firm Gartner notes in a report that zero trust network access will remain the fastest-growing segment in network security, with projected growth at 31 percent in 2023.
And according to data shared by Statista, 41 percent of respondents from a global survey report that they have plans to adopt a zero trust strategy.
Economic Uncertainty Impacting Cybersecurity
A struggling economy may impact organizations as they juggle increasing cybersecurity threats with decreased budgets. Both organizations and individuals alike will need to keep an eye out for evolving scams and educate themselves on the latest tactics as “cybercriminals look for even more elaborate ways to carry out their attacks,” according to Cybersecurity Insiders.
