5 Issues that are Driving Cybersecurity Today

Cybersecurity is a serious concern for individuals, businesses, and governments. Maintaining the security of your data in an online world (when there is everything online) — from our credit card details to PII, is one of the major issues driving cybersecurity. 

While cybersecurity is an important issue facing organizations, it can be challenging to implement recommended security solutions. This is often due to outdated IT views — and a lack of awareness of the threat landscape.

In this article, we will discuss five issues driving an increased emphasis on cybersecurity today. 

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1. There are More Cybercriminals Lurking Than Ever

Strengthening cybersecurity defenses remains a work in progress for many organizations that recognize their shortcomings but have yet to take the necessary steps.

One of the main issues in the cybersecurity discussion is the increasing number of cybercriminals, which was cited by 52% of respondents. In addition, ransomware and phishing are fast becoming major concerns as digital transactions increase and human error becomes more costly.

2. Privacy Issues and Trust Building

When organizations collect sensitive data from customers or users, they ensure that the data is first class. Companies of all sizes can experience financial loss and the trust of their customers is at risk due to cyber attacks. 

Cybercriminals are constantly changing their cyberattacks, especially against physical cyber and IoT systems, as they present additional vulnerabilities due to limited capabilities, uncontrolled nature, and the use of potentially untrusted components. 

3. Variety of Attacks

Cyberattacks can have many negative effects. They can cause data corruption or data manipulation. Businesses can endure financial losses and reputational damage — as well as see customer trust eroded. That’s why it’s so important that we implement cybersecurity measures to prevent cyber attacks. 

The process behind cybersecurity allows for the protection of computer systems, networks, and the complete IT infrastructure of an organization from unauthorized access. Cyberattacks include malware attacks, phishing attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, SQL injection, denial of service (DoS), insider threats, zero-day exploits, and ransomware. 

Having sufficient knowledge about different types of cyberattacks makes it easier to protect the network and systems against them.

Related: What is an MFA Fatigue Attack & How to Prevent Them.

4. The Diversity of IT Skills Needed

The demand for cybersecurity is rising dramatically as more and more businesses move to the cloud. This in turn increases the demand for cybersecurity pros who can protect digital data and assets. 

A cybersecurity professional must have a diverse set of skills. They monitor the current system for threats, assess risks, solve problems, and create solutions for optimal system security. Some of the skills needed for cybersecurity roles include: 

• Network and Systems Administration: A career in cybersecurity requires a strong understanding of computer programming and computer configuration and maintenance. 

• Knowledge of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines: To be a cybersecurity professional, you must have a solid knowledge of operating environments (OS) such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, and be comfortable working with virtual machines (VMs) that allow practice in an isolated environment. 

• Risk Analysis: Cybersecurity professionals are required to identify, manage, and mitigate risk. 

• Coding and Scripting: PowerShell, Python, JavaScript, and other languages are safe bets for any cybersecurity pro’s toolbox. 

• Cloud Security: Companies are looking for security professionals who can protect private, public, and hybrid cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. That includes implementing policies and technologies that protect cloud-based systems and devices.

5. Compliance with Regulations

Cybersecurity compliance includes adherence to various controls to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of data and digital assets. Compliance requirements may differ by industry or sector, but typically involve the specific processes and technologies used by organizations to protect data. 

Eligibility requirements may vary by location or state, and some are put on irrespective of where your business is located in the state.

Final Thoughts

In 2023, companies can expect sophisticated attacks targeting every part of the IT infrastructure, especially the weakest areas. Companies lack visibility and control over cloud and bring-your-own-devices (BYOD), making them prime targets for cybercriminals. 

You can safeguard your company’s IT infrastructure against cyber threats by quickly responding and rapidly evolving attacks. Businesses require a comprehensive security model that supports threat detection and prevention and respond quickly across the entire IT environment.