Anticipating Cybersecurity Trends for 2024
Is it already Christmas time? With less than a week until 2023 becomes a memory, it’s perfectly reasonable to start looking forward to the cybersecurity expectations for 2024.
The Evolution of Cybersecurity Landscape
Cybersecurity has always been about adaptation – reacting to shifts in both attackers’ strategies and operational realities. The upcoming year promises to maintain this dynamic, with advanced technologies like AI and cloud computing further complicating the security playing field.
Dynamic Cybersecurity Environment in 2024
Considering the influence of governmental cybersecurity measures and the impending 2024 elections, the new year is poised to be extraordinarily active in terms of cybersecurity developments.
Key Cybersecurity Predictions for 2024
Here are five key cybersecurity trends to anticipate as we move into the next year, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Rethinking Security Strategy Amid Data Growth
The exponential growth of data has been a topic of discussion for some time, but the reality continues to outpace expectations. Reports forecast a 42% increase in the amount of data organizations need to secure in just one year, with a 7-fold increase expected over the next five years.
The proliferation of data-generating devices and the rise in AI adoption for data processing are fueling this growth. With data expanding across various platforms – including a notable 145% increase in SaaS systems and a 73% rise in cloud data – organizations must now secure data across a vast and evolving landscape.
This growth isn’t only about data volume; it’s also about the increasing costs associated with cloud and SaaS services. Consequently, in 2024, enterprises will be adapting to the challenge of safeguarding data within this complex and expanding domain.
Broader Attacks on Virtualized Infrastructure
As defenses around traditional targets like computers and mobile devices improve, attackers are shifting focus to other components such as SaaS, Linux applications, APIs, and bare-metal hypervisors.
Warnings from VMWare about their ESXi hypervisor being exploited for ransomware attacks exemplify the trend, as ransomware breaches linked to ESXi continue to grow. Attackers often follow successful strategies, so it’s likely we’ll see an increase in these types of targeted attacks due to their speed and scalability advantages.
“Boutique” Hacker Groups Targeting Edge Devices
Recently, government agencies reported hacker intrusions into Cisco routers, indicative of a growing trend of sophisticated attacks on edge devices. These intrusions demand significant technical skill, are hard to detect, and can cause extensive damage, highlighting government intrusion groups’ increasing focus on edge devices. Edge devices will likely emerge as a major battleground in cybersecurity for 2024, with select groups demonstrating their hacking prowess.
AI at the Forefront of Cybersecurity
AI’s role in cybersecurity is set to become more prominent in 2024. Attackers are expected to use AI for generating malware, automating attacks, and enhancing social engineering campaigns, while defenders incorporate machine learning and natural language processing tools into their strategies.
The Brennan Center for Justice mentions 2024 as the first presidential election featuring generative AI, where candidates will address “AI anxiety” among voters, with concerns that AI could spread disinformation through deepfakes. Additionally, AI is poised to address the cybersecurity skills gap, taking on routine tasks within security operations centers.
Increased Pressure on CISOs from Government Actions
Following significant SEC charges against SolarWinds Corporation and its chief information security officer, CISOs will operate under increased scrutiny in 2024. The new SEC rules on cybersecurity and breach disclosure stress documenting every detail of security operations, resulting in a CISO role that’s more heavily focused on regulatory compliance. Government relationships are evolving due to various geopolitical events, affecting how senior leaders engage with authorities.
These predictions suggest that 2024 will prove to be a pivotal year in cybersecurity, with various developments demanding attention from professionals in the field.
Steven Stone, head of Rubrik Zero Labs, contributes to the discussion on the changing cybersecurity landscape.
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