IT Security Changes, Trends, and Updates for 2022

2021 was a very rocky year for cybersecurity, as businesses and individuals lost a staggering $6.9 billion to cybercrime. We’re entering 2022 with apprehension because no one knows what to expect. Will the cybercrime surge continue, or will new cybersecurity trends finally nip hackers and cyber attackers in the bud?

We don’t know for sure. But what we do know is that the future of cybersecurity is bright.

With all the latest IT security changes, trends, and technologies, cybercrime may be on its deathbed. But what exactly are these trends and changes forever changing the face of IT security?

An excellent question indeed, and we have all the answers you need. In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting some of the most notable changes and trends in IT security.

The Rise of AI Technologies in Cybersecurity

The first and most significant change that we will see in IT security is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. For a long time now, AI has been hailed as the future of cybersecurity. And it’s not hard to see why.

With AI, businesses and individuals can finally have a proactive approach to cybersecurity. AI can detect and thwart cyberattacks in real-time before any damage is done.

Additionally, it can also be used to constantly monitor devices and networks for potential vulnerabilities to be patched up before hackers have a chance to exploit them.

AI is still in its infancy, but the potential it has shown so far is nothing short of impressive. In the coming years, we’re only going to see more and more AI-powered cybersecurity solutions hitting the market.

More Emphasis on Education and Cybersecurity Awareness

For a long time, businesses and individuals have been bumping cybersecurity education to focus on more tangible cybersecurity aspects. This has led to the proliferation of cyber attacks in the past few years. But that’s finally starting to change.

In the wake of high-profile data breaches and ransomware attacks, businesses and individuals are finally beginning to realize just how critical cybersecurity is. As a result, we will see a lot more focus on cybersecurity education and awareness in the coming years.

This is excellent news because user education and awareness are one of the most effective tools against cybercrime. After all, it’s much harder for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities if users know them.

Greater Focus on Mobile Devices

Mobile devices have become a staple in our lives. The average American spends five hours on their mobile phones every day. We use our mobile devices for everything, from work to entertainment.

However, despite their ubiquity, mobile devices are still not as secure as they should be. This is primarily because most people are unaware of the potential security risks of using their mobile devices. Some of these risks include data breaches, malware infections, and phishing attacks.

In 2022, we’re seeing a greater focus on securing mobile devices. One, there are better security features built into mobile devices. Second, there’s improved user education on how to keep their mobile devices safe.

With more people working remotely and relying on their mobile devices for work, there’s a need to take precautions to keep mobile devices safe.

Better Protection Against Insider Threats

An insider threat is a security risk that comes from within an organization. This can happen from an employee accidentally leaking sensitive data. Or a malicious insider deliberately stealing data for nefarious purposes.

Insider threats are notoriously difficult to protect against because, by definition, they come from within the organization. However, there are steps that businesses can take to minimize the risk of an insider threat.

In 2022, businesses will take a more proactive approach to protect against insider threats. This will involve:

• Improved employee screening
• Better data security protocols
• Increased employee activity monitoring

We’re hopeful that the changes we see in 2022 will help mitigate the risk of insider threats. They’re a serious problem, and businesses need to do everything to protect themselves.

Vigilance Against Targeted Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom be paid to decrypt it. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, with both businesses and individuals being targeted.

Targeted ransomware attacks are particularly dangerous. They’re often difficult to detect and can result in the loss of sensitive data.

In addition, many businesses are not prepared to deal with a ransomware attack and do not have the necessary backups in place. In fact, ransomware cost companies in the US a whopping $21 billion in 2020 alone.

In 2022, we’ll see a greater focus on protecting against targeted ransomware attacks. This will involve:

• Improved endpoint security
• Better backup strategies
• Increased user education

These changes will help businesses better protect themselves against ransomware attacks.

GDPR Compliance

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a set of regulations that protect digital data privacy. The GDPR went into effect on May 25, 2018, and has been enforced since then.

Compliance with the GDPR is a major issue for businesses, as non-compliance can result in heavy fines. The GDPR has already resulted in over 1.2 billion in fines being levied against businesses.

In 2022, we’ll see a greater focus on compliance with the GDPR. This will involve initiatives like:

• Improved data security protocols
• Better user education on data privacy rights
• Increased monitoring of businesses to ensure they are compliant

Hopefully, the increased focus on GDPR compliance will help protect digital data privacy.

Addressing Vulnerability of IoT Systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a network of devices connected to the internet. These devices can include thermostats, security cameras, and even door locks.

While the IoT offers plenty of advantages, it also comes with some serious security risks. Computers connecting to IoT devices are vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

One of the scariest threats brought about by IoT devices is home invasions. Some home security systems connect to the internet. Burglars can exploit loopholes in these systems and gain access to your home.

This year,  we’re likely to see a greater focus on addressing the vulnerability of IoT systems. This will involve things like improved IT network security protocols for IoT devices. IoT device manufacturers will also better educate their customers on the existential cybersecurity risks.

Homeowners and businesses must take steps to address the vulnerability of IoT systems. And that’s because they’re only going to become more prevalent as time goes by.

Enhanced Protection for Financial Services

Financial institutions and services have always formed the focal points of cyberattacks. The past year was no different, with several high-profile attacks on banks and other financial institutions.

Phishing attacks seem almost inescapable these days. But we’re likely to see some change this year.

Financial institutions are steadily implementing intensive training for staff and customers to ward off phishing attacks. They’ve also invested in high-level anti-malware software.

Adoption of Security-as-a-Service (SECaas) to Protect From Cyberattacks

The traditional security model, where companies build and maintain their own in-house security systems, is no longer feasible. With the increasing complexity of attacks and the evolving landscape of IT security, it’s become too expensive and time-consuming for most companies to keep up with the latest threats.

Security-as-a-service (SECaaS) is a cloud-based security solution that offers the same protection as an in-house system but at a fraction of the cost. SECaaS providers constantly monitor the latest threats and update their systems accordingly.

We expect to see more and more companies adopt SECaaS in the coming year as they recognize the benefits of this cost-effective and efficient solution.

Zero Trust

In 2022, we’re seeing people shy away from the conventional castle and moat security framework. This framework is based on the concept that all your valuable digital infrastructure is inside the “castle.”On the other hand, cyber threats are outside the perimeter of the “moat.”

However, this allows unfettered access to any user with the right credentials to roam around freely. This makes sense, but compromising all defenses could be as easy as clicking on a malicious link. You, the user with proper credentials, click on the link unknowingly, and it’s game over.

The zero trust framework limits network access to only those who need it. The system keeps track of patterns like identity and time and focuses on contextual awareness. Users must go through layers of security protocols before they gain access.

Cloud Security

The cloud has been a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. It’s allowed organizations to be more agile and efficient and save a ton of money. But as more and more businesses move to the cloud, security concerns are mounting.

We expect to see a renewed focus on cloud security in 2022. Businesses will be looking for ways to secure their data and applications in the cloud, and they’ll be turning to experts for help. The predictive security model seems to be the most effective solution for cloud protection.

This security aims to identify threats before hackers can launch their attacks. Although it’s still in the works, the predictive security model shows immense promise.

If you’re in the business of providing cloud security solutions, now is the time to get ahead of the curve. Start thinking about how you can help your clients secure their data and applications in the cloud.

Adoption of the Cybersecurity Mesh

The cybersecurity mesh is a new security architecture that’s gaining traction. It’s a decentralized approach to security that relies on multiple layers of protection. It combines various security architecture components to protect all digital assets in a data center.

This year, we expect to see more businesses adopt the cybersecurity mesh. This architecture provides better protection against sophisticated attacks and helps businesses build a stronger security posture.

Better Security for Remote Workers

In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to reevaluate their cybersecurity strategies. With more employees working remotely, businesses have had to find new ways to protect their data and applications.

In 2022, we expect businesses to invest more in security for remote workers. This includes things like:

• VPNs
• Two-factor authentication
• Cloud-based security solutions

Companies will also be looking for ways to secure their remote access points better.

Smart businesses outsource their security to a cybersecurity firm to get the protection they need. Small business IT security is a hot topic these days and an important one. You can learn more on bestructured.com.

Cybersecurity Participation at a National Level

With the recent news of Russia’s involvement in the SolarWinds hack, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity is becoming a national-level conversation. In February, President Biden signed an executive order on improving the nation’s cybersecurity. The order focuses on four key areas:

• Securing federal networks and data
• Improving cybersecurity across the economy
• Securing critical infrastructure from cyber threats
• Building international cybersecurity norms

This is a significant step forward in acknowledging the importance of cybersecurity and making it a priority at the national level. In addition, the order creates several new roles and initiatives, including:

• The position of National Cyber Director
• The Cybersecurity Review Board
• The establishment of a Cyber Safety Review Panel

These are just a few of the changes that we can expect to see in the coming year for fighting cybersecurity on the national front. And it’s not just the US; countries like China and France are also taking a tough stance against cybersecurity.

Stay on Top of This Year’s IT Security Changes

While it is impossible to predict the future with 100% certainty, we can make some educated guesses about IT security changes and updates in 2022. We’ve outlined some of the most important predictions below. Ensure you stay on top of all these changes for future-proof cybersecurity.

Be sure to check out the other posts for more informative articles.