5 Cybersecurity Predictions For 2024 You Should Plan For

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field with new threats, technologies, and opportunities emerging every year. As we enter the second quarter of 2024, organizations need to be aware of current and future cyber threats and should plan accordingly.

Staying ahead of the curve is paramount to safeguarding digital assets. Significant changes are coming to the cybersecurity landscape, and driving these changes are emerging technologies and evolving threats. As well as shifting global dynamics. Here are the key cybersecurity predictions for 2024 that you should consider:

1. AI Will Be a Double-edged Sword

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer for cybersecurity. It has enabled faster and more accurate threat detection, response, and prevention. But AI also poses new risks such as adversarial AI, exploited vulnerabilities, and misinformation.

For example, malicious actors use chatbots and other large language models to generate:

Convincing phishing emails
Fake news articles
Deepfake videos

This malicious content can deceive or manipulate users. To combat this, businesses will need to enact robust security protocols such as embracing a human-in-the-loop approach as well as regularly tracking and reviewing their AI systems. These steps will help them mitigate these risks and harness the power of AI for a more secure future.

2. Quantum Computing Will Become a Looming Threat

Quantum computing is still a few years away from reaching its full potential, but it is already a serious threat to the security of current encryption standards.

Quantum computers can potentially break asymmetric encryption algorithms, which are widely used to protect data in transit and at rest. This means that quantum-enabled hackers could compromise sensitive data, like financial transactions.

Organizations will need to start preparing for this scenario. We recommend starting by assessing potential risks first, then adopting quantum-resistant technologies and deploying quantum-safe architectures.

3. Hacktivism Will Rise in Prominence

Hacktivism is the use of hacking techniques to promote a political or social cause, such as exposing corruption, protesting injustice, or supporting a movement.

Hacktivism has been around for decades but it’s expected to increase in 2024, particularly during major global events. Hacktivists may target organizations that they perceive as adversaries or opponents, and these attacks can disrupt their operations as well as leak their data or deface their websites.

Organizations will need to be vigilant against potential hacktivist attacks, including being proactive in defending their networks, systems, and reputation.

4. Ransomware Will Remain a Persistent Threat

Ransomware is when an attacker deploys a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and then demands a ransom from the victim for its decryption. Ransomware has been one of the most damaging types of cyberattacks in recent years.

In 2023, ransomware attacks increased by more than 95% over the prior year.

Ransomware attacks are likely to continue increasing in 2024 due to new variants, tactics, and targets emerging. For example, ransomware attackers may leverage AI to enhance their encryption algorithms, as well as evade detection and customize their ransom demands.

Hackers may also target cloud services, IoT devices, or industrial control systems. Organizations will need to put in place comprehensive ransomware prevention and response strategies, including:

Backing up their data regularly
Patching their systems promptly
Using reliable email and DNS filtering solutions
Educating their users on how to avoid phishing emails

5. Cyber Insurance Will Become More Influential

Cyber insurance covers the losses and liabilities resulting from cyberattacks. It has become more popular and important in recent years due to cyberattacks becoming more frequent and costly, and its popularity will only grow.

Cyber insurance provides financial compensation, legal help, or technical support, but it can also influence the security practices of organizations. Cyber insurers may impose certain requirements or standards on their customers such as implementing specific security controls or frameworks. Organizations will need to balance the benefits and costs of cyber insurance as well as ensure that they are in compliance with their cyber insurers’ expectations.

Be Proactive About Cybersecurity

It’s clear that the cybersecurity landscape will continue to evolve rapidly, and organizations must proactively prepare for emerging threats. We recommend putting a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy in place that helps you navigate the digital frontier with resilience and vigilance, but where to start? We’ve got you! Drop us a line at contact@dvnt.ca to speak with one of our experts.

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field with new threats, technologies, and opportunities emerging every year. As we enter the second quarter of 2024, organizations need to be aware of current and future cyber threats and should plan accordingly.

1. AI Will Be a Double-edged Sword

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer for cybersecurity. It has enabled faster and more accurate threat detection, response, and prevention. But AI also poses new risks such as adversarial AI, exploited vulnerabilities, and misinformation.

For example, malicious actors use chatbots and other large language models to generate:

Convincing phishing emails

Fake news articles

Deepfake videos

2. Quantum Computing Will Become a Looming Threat

Quantum computing is still a few years away from reaching its full potential, but it is already a serious threat to the security of current encryption standards.

Quantum computers can potentially break asymmetric encryption algorithms, which are widely used to protect data in transit and at rest. This means that quantum-enabled hackers could compromise sensitive data, like financial transactions.

Organizations will need to start preparing for this scenario. We recommend starting by assessing potential risks first, then adopting quantum-resistant technologies and deploying quantum-safe architectures.

3. Hacktivism Will Rise in Prominence

Hacktivism is the use of hacking techniques to promote a political or social cause, such as exposing corruption, protesting injustice, or supporting a movement.

Organizations will need to be vigilant against potential hacktivist attacks, including being proactive in defending their networks, systems, and reputation.

4. Ransomware Will Remain a Persistent Threat

Ransomware is when an attacker deploys a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and then demands a ransom from the victim for its decryption. Ransomware has been one of the most damaging types of cyberattacks in recent years.

In 2023, ransomware attacks increased by more than 95% over the prior year.

Ransomware attacks are likely to continue increasing in 2024 due to new variants, tactics, and targets emerging. For example, ransomware attackers may leverage AI to enhance their encryption algorithms, as well as evade detection and customize their ransom demands.

Hackers may also target cloud services, IoT devices, or industrial control systems. Organizations will need to put in place comprehensive ransomware prevention and response strategies, including:

Backing up their data regularly

Patching their systems promptly

Using reliable email and DNS filtering solutions

Educating their users on how to avoid phishing emails

5. Cyber Insurance Will Become More Influential

Cyber insurance covers the losses and liabilities resulting from cyberattacks. It has become more popular and important in recent years due to cyberattacks becoming more frequent and costly, and its popularity will only grow.

Be Proactive About Cybersecurity