New trends in cyber security are expected for the year 2016. Recently, the International Business Machines Corporation and Ponemon Institute performed a study to measure the costs of data breaches. The study found that the average cost of a breach is $3.5 million and rising. With the cost in breaches on the rise, the need for effective cyber security is needed more than ever. The following are four upcoming trends in the world of cyber security.
Spear Phishing
One of the most effective ways cyber attacks are executed is through social engineering tactics such as spear phishing. Rather than creating code, an attacker will instead target people and get them to reveal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. Phishers are becoming even more adept at deceiving people through communications that look official and sophisticated. The high-level executives of a company may be tricked by a phishing email or website. Cyber security firms are attempting to stay ahead of these types of attacks by providing protection and educating people on how to monitor potential threats.
Network Issues
All business owners should focus on keeping their company information secure this year, as cyber criminals are finding new ways to infiltrate networks every day. Having a competent IT staff is the first step to securing a network—but that is not the only line of defense necessary. Even with a full-time IT staff, an Ottawa IT services expert says a company's network may still have security gaps which could be vulnerable to potential intrusions. Businesses should consult with managed IT services experts to assess the safety of their network and develop a security plan to deal with vulnerabilities.
Ransomware
This is a kind of malware that restricts access to a computer system, and then charges the target to have the malware removed. Ransomware often involves social engineering techniques such as spear phishing to gain access to important files. Ransomware is becoming more popular due to the fact that people find it easier to simply pay the ransom. This type of threat can be prevented with a strong security system and a better education on the subject.
Cloud Services
Also known as on-demand computing, cloud computing is the sharing of data and resources in a pool. More companies are turning to cloud services due to the convenience, manageability and lower costs. However, some employees make the mistake of passing up security systems and protocols, leading to security risks. Data breaches, account hacking, and system vulnerabilities all pose some concerns for cloud vendors. Having a strong security to protect a company's system and data is strongly needed.
Known Vulnerabilities
Open source software is becoming more popular with many businesses. However, using a common software poses a risk due to the known vulnerabilities related to that software. Attackers are able to find holes in software that is just a few years old. Because most companies are not constantly updating the software they use, this can lead to more threats. A cyber security firm that constantly updates and fixes software can come in very handy.