Top 5 Network Security threats & Cyber Security Trends in 2021
We have finally stepped into the year 2021 and this year too has begun to walk with us in the hope of a better future. However, there is still a long way to go. In this blog, I will cover five cybersecurity trends that will pose a significant potential network security threat in 2021 and offer practical tips to help devices reduce overall risk. So, let us look.
Cybersecurity Trends
Some of the 2020 threats were not new. For example, according to IBM Security X-Force, one in four attacks that were resolved in September 2020 was linked to legacy ransomware.
On the other hand, the task offered another approach for threat actors and new threats to information security have emerged. Whether privileged credentials were compromised or mixed personal and business networks were used, attackers wasted no time jumping the bottom bars to enter.
Meanwhile, IT teams have worked hard to defend potential vulnerabilities and mitigate emerging risks by improving identity and access management (IAM), improving data encryption, and moving to managed services.
Last year’s cybersecurity trends are important for 2021 because they lead the way. Corporations and cybercriminals know the “new normal” of remote computing. What is going on next?
1. Work-from-home Attacks
The first major cybersecurity trend in 2021 dates back to 2020. While WFH is not a new threat this year, it is only a matter of time before attackers simultaneously compromise multiple unsecured home networks for causing a massive breach of critical systems and services. Does that make sense? With many employees using high-speed home connections for personal and business purposes, the attack surface for businesses has increased dramatically.
To solve this problem, you need to duplicate IAM with tools that can intelligently analyze user activity, resource requirements, and business connectivity habits to enable a simplified connection when it is secure. If potential issues are detected, additional authentication is required.
2. Frustrations
Brute force efforts are also making a comeback. The attackers behind this and other cybersecurity trends recognize the potential of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) in dismantling corporate networks. In the second half of 2020, DDoS attack efforts increased by 12%, especially among those using Simple Services Delivery Protocol (SSDP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
To tackle DDoS attacks in 2021, organizations need agile and adaptive cyber securitymalwar tools that can immediately detect, isolate and remediate distributed attacks.
3. File-less framework
Fileless malware and ransomware attacks will continue to affect businesses in 2021. These threats are designed to bypass common detection controls and infiltrate on premise critical systems using trusted platforms or software tools that are already on corporate networks.
As with many of the other cybersecurity trends listed here, vigilance is key. Companies can defend themselves against fileless threats with Cybersecurity Hygienic Cleanup. The systems should integrate fileless malware detection and fileless malware analysis program in order to protect themselves againsta fileless threats. The goal is to keep software and systems up-to-date, ensure that security tools are working as intended, and implement effective access controls such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce potential risks.
4. Older cybersecurity trends still matter
Although attackers develop new types of threats, old threats such as ransomware, Trojans, and botnets still exist. To manage and overcome these familial threats relatively unscathed, organizations need to ensure that employees have the tools and training necessary to identify these attacks as early as possible. Start with training on common engagement vectors like email attachments and malicious links. This also includes ongoing efforts to monitor email accounts, remind employees of security standards, and automatically notify them when potential threats are detected.
5. Front Line Phishing in Cyber Security
The biggest news for 2021 is of course the COVID-19 vaccine. People look for information about vaccination, the status of the disease, when and where the vaccine will be given to approve individuals. This will have an impact on cybersecurity trends in 2021. As such, businesses should be prepared for an increase in related phishing campaigns. These are very dangerous because they interest readers immediately.
Attacks that exploit this aspect have already been identified. The British health service recently issued warnings in appointment emails for sham vaccinations. IBM X-Force has identified a supply-side attack aimed at compromising the vaccine’s cold chain.
The reason for this increase is simple. Despite the frequency with which it is spoken and the ongoing efforts of corporate IT, phishing Scams continue to operate. They are even more worried during the WFH. Domestic workers receive numerous emails even as the pressures of the pandemic have put their personal and professional lives to the test. The result is not surprising: people fall into the phishing trap.
Achieving this shared commitment begins with better identity management. By ensuring that only the right people have the right access to the right resources at the right time, organizations can reduce the risk of addiction. It is also important to create a culture of a second opinion about safety. If employees see something that looks suspicious, they should say something and be supported. At the end of the line? When it comes to phishing, the race is slowly and steadily winning.
Proven Malware Detection Tool Needs in Current Cybersecurity Trends
As organizations take their first steps toward a new norm, malicious actors ramp up their efforts. To counter current cybersecurity trends both emerging vectors and known threat frameworks employers need a plan of attack that need to combines next year’s tools with proven best practices.