It’s the start of a new decade, so it feels like a clean slate even more than is usual after New Year’s. 2019 was difficult for many of us, but we’re going into 2020 with renewed hopes.
As far as cybersecurity trends go, the reality of the situation is a bit different.
Technology develops faster than any single person can comprehend, and while innovation moves us into a new decade of scientific wonder, the flip side is that cybersecurity threats develop just as quickly.
Don’t despair, though. With this guide to seven of the latest cybersecurity issues you can expect to hear the most about in 2020, you’ll be prepared for battle.
Haven’t you heard? You should always know your enemy.
1. Sophisticated Phishing
The days of the obvious Nigerian prince scam may seem over, but people are still falling for it! Are you surprised?
If so, don’t think you’re off the hook just because you feel prepared. Whether or not that’s something you’re likely to be tripped up by, there’s probably another, sneakier scam out there waiting to catch you.
Cybercriminals aren’t stupid—phishing attacks aren’t easy, and as we’ve learned to recognize threats, they’ve learned to adapt the old and introduce new ones. Unfamiliar, advanced phishing threats are becoming more common every day, from personal message scams to phony LinkedIn alerts, and we don’t know everything that’s out there.
Bottom line? Do your research and verify the source before clicking any links.
2. Trouble in the Cloud
Like a comforting mattress ad, the online “Cloud” sounds soft, dreamy, and secure.
Unfortunately, it’s not as safe as we’d all like to believe. Consumers, businesses, and even schools, health systems, and governmental organizations are uploading sensitive information onto these huge servers without so much as a second thought.
Read on to learn how consumers are actually making it easier for cybercriminals to infiltrate cloud storage systems.
3. Threats From Your Things
The criminal is inside the house! I repeat—The criminal is inside the house!!
That’s right: Everything—I mean everything—is connected to the internet these days (known as the “internet of things”), and each new gadget we adopt as if it was a new member of the family is actually a huge security risk.
It’s no joke—Some of the most devastating cyberattacks were actually started through compromised devices.
4. Governmental Attacks
If you’ve paid any attention to the news lately, you’ve probably heard about various governments’ concerns over national digital security.
It sounds like something out of a spy thriller, but state-sponsored cybercrimes are shockingly common.
5. AI Attacks
Manmade cyberthreats are hard enough to combat. Now, a wave of AI security threats is presenting new challenges: How can cybersecurity predict a robot’s next move?
Cybersecurity professionals are developing AI for the good guys, and our hope is that we can manage malicious AI that way. Still, keep your eye out for any suspicious messages that sound a bit nonhuman!
Cybersecurity AI is a new technology, and it’s probably not something the average consumer will use extensively, at least not for a while.
6. Risks on the Road
We don’t have flying cars like in The Jetsons or Blade Runner yet, but cars are getting newer, weirder, and cooler all the time.
Proof of this is how in 2020, you don’t have to be able to afford designer experiments like Tesla’s controversial new “Cybertruck” to own a wireless-enabled car. Nowadays, internet connection is available in most any of the makes we know and love.
Unfortunately, just like your webcam, smart fridge, or internet-connected juicer, your connected vehicle is vulnerable to security threats. Keep that in mind before splurging on the tech!
7. Not Enough Pros
Since when have there been too few cooks in the kitchen? Believe it or not, the cybersecurity industry is facing a lack of qualified professionals.
The network is expanding and developing faster than the job market can account for, and too many companies are more interested in making a buck from tech-obsessed consumers than they are in making sure their systems are actually secure.
Thankfully, you aren’t alone.
Trusted cybersecurity professionals like this company are holding their ground and providing the quality protection you deserve. On top of that, educators and public organizations are encouraging everyone ranging from toddlers to the elderly to become tech-savvy.
With any luck, in the new decade, we’ll be seeing not only a new wave of professionals, but a more informed public, more secure systems, and fewer problems to begin with!
Facing Cybersecurity Threats In 2020
However much hope we have for the years to come, we can’t ignore the present day.
You might be wiser now than you were when you started reading this article, but you’re quite a ways away from being a cybersecurity expert. With all these security threats, what’s the average Joe to supposed to do?
Start your decade off on the right foot by making smarter cybersecurity decisions: Now that you know about the lack of certified professionals, make doubly sure you know that the experts you hire are for real. This also means not taking matters into your own hands.
I know it’s tempting to be cheap, but doing this right the first time around can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the long run!
Think of it like immunity from a disease: The more of us who are properly protected, the fewer crises we’ll have to contend within the next ten years. Why would you wait to get the flu when you can just wash your hands today?
Take this moment to get in touch with top-notch cybersecurity pros, use the resources you have available to you, and don’t be lazy! If we all stay on top of it, cybercriminals won’t stand a chance by the end of the ’20s.
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