The cybersecurity sector has navigated through several threats and risks last 2020. Based on the trends, many expect to see more extensive and demanding challenges in the next few years to come. After all, the rise of tech doesn’t automatically lead to increased cybersecurity. Cybersecurity experts explained in the recent 2020 DLD Conference that human firewalls are as essential as system firewalls. 

On that note, let’s try to check out the many possible global cybersecurity threats that might plague companies and end-users. 

A brief review of Cybersecurity Threats in 2020

It’s no secret that 2020 was a challenging year for almost every sector. In cybersecurity alone, we have seen a handful of problems that have shaken up various companies and organizations. There were widespread cybersecurity concerts in different regions that ranged from data breaches to ransomware attacks. 

Cybersecurity Problems in 2020

Here’s a quick review of the most notable cybersecurity events of 2020:

• Experian Breach in August 2020 – Experian, an Anglo-Irish consumer credit reporting agency, suffered from a massive data breach that affected about 24 million of its South-Africa-based consumers plus more than 790,000 businesses. 
• OldGremlin targets Russian companies – OldGremlin inserted hacking tools into the networks of Russian medical labs, manufacturers, banks, and even software developers sometime in March 2020. They created fake emails from RBC, the country’s largest media holding firm, and used “invoice” as their email subject. The victims then clicked on a link that directly downloads a .zip file containing the hacking tool.
• Stolen WHO emails and passwords – The world struggled to cope with the first wave of the pandemic last year. That’s why it was shocking when the news on stolen WHO emails and passwords broke out. About 25,000 email addresses plus their passwords got leaked online. These accounts and login information belonged to various individuals working in WHO and other COVID-19 fighting agencies like CDC and Gates Foundation.
• Zoom App Controversy – Millions of workers and students forced to stay at home tap into the Zoom app for work or school purposes. Notably, the app faced a severe issue when uninvited individuals join private Zoom meetings. Thankfully, the company updated its security features, addressing the concerns.

How Companies and Organizations Cope

In response to the threats and attacks, organizations and companies worldwide started fortifying their cybersecurity measures. For example, some have begun improving access points for information and utilizing managed services. Others have also enhanced their encryption processes. 

As for the risks of working online or remotely, companies address the issue by teaching their employees essential cybersecurity tips such as:

• Creating back-ups for data
• Updating software used and installing antivirus apps
• Checking DNS settings and changing WiFi router passwords regularly
• Enabling multi-factor authentication when logging into websites or apps
• Doing regular technical assessments on the devices used

Expected Cybersecurity Threats in 2021 and Beyond

As we ease into the second quarter of the year, we notice similar trends from the previous year. According to an INTERPOL assessment, hackers and other cybercriminals target a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations. They spare no one, including small business owners, private folks, and even critical government infrastructure, in charge of combatting the current pandemic problem. 

Besides the cybersecurity threats from 2020, below are the current cybersecurity threats the world faces:

• The work-from-home threats continue to plague employees and companies. 
• Phishing scams remain at large, spewing lies about things like internal company policies and vaccine-related news.
• Cybercriminal maximize the use of fileless malware to bypass security access points
• Increased remote service and cloud attacks in companies running their operations remotely
• Ransomware and botnets continue to affect many companies and evolve into more sophisticated forms
• Increased attack on IoT devices, which includes AI threats, deep fakes to bypass biometrics access, and social engineering attacks 
• Surge in brute-force attacks due to increased preference for remote working
• Possible increase of mobile banking malware attacks as mobile payments become a preferred option in many countries

Fill Your Cybersecurity Talent Gap with Datasearch

Cybersecurity issues certainly aren’t going anywhere. Problems will most likely evolve as fast as the innovations that we see in the tech industry today. With these rapid changes, one can never be too complacent in one’s cybersecurity measures. 

As a cybersecurity company or a business with a cybersecurity function, it pays to have the right people on board. This way, you can anticipate potential cybersecurity and data lapses and reinforce your organization’s response. 

Source and hire the top cybersecurity talents in APAC with the help of Datasearch Consulting today. Contact us for our executive recruitment services today!