Published on October 18th, 2022 | by Bibhuranjan

The Future of Cybersecurity and Beyond

Information technology has continuously shaped how businesses operate and conduct daily activities. The internet has eased connectivity, accelerated communications, and whatnot. But, like everything else, it also comes with its challenges. Any system or database connected to the internet is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks are when someone tries to steal information from a computer or network.

Everyone, whether directly associated with the IT industry or not, is highly concerned with the potential role of cybersecurity in the coming years. The increase in cyber-attacks is laying the groundwork for cybersecurity while IT experts are continuously upgrading and devising effective security systems to cater to the needs of the industries. What is the future of cybersecurity and beyond?

Read on to know what cybersecurity could bring to the table in the years to come.

The demand for Cyber Security Professionals

In the wake of the ever-increasing need for data protection, organizations will look forward to increasing the cybersecurity workforce. Organizations are constantly looking for skilled and experienced individuals to help formulate effective defense mechanisms. Developing and enforcing effective defense mechanisms is nearly impossible without involving skillful and experienced cyber professionals. The potential pitfall in the future will be meeting the demand for cyber experts in the industries. It will pave the way for the rapid expansion of online degree programs in cybersecurity. The trend to get an education in the cybersecurity specialization will continue to prevail in the future. Aspiring professionals can look forward to opportunities in the cybersecurity industry. Even as companies continue to look forward to protecting their data, they will need professionals who can provide sound guidance and formulate effective strategies. The future of the cybersecurity industry is encouraging. It will remain one of the most sought-after professions in the years to come. It is an ideal time to enroll in an online cybersecurity program and equip the students with proficient knowledge.

Attacks and Hacking of IoT

Internet of Things (IoT), such as home security systems, fire alarms, voice-activated windows, and doors, have become increasingly popular in modern homes. Powered with GPS, sensors, audio, and control systems, these devices are more vulnerable to cyber threats and hacking. Hackers and cybercriminals will surpass the inadequate security of IoT and access private networks.

A real threat is the rise of IoT in homes which will allow cybercriminals to compromise security and steal valuable information. For instance, hackers could easily get to know the routine of residents through information stored on various devices. As a result, they can easily enter an empty house and steal valuables.

The trend of cyber criminals attacking IoT devices will increase and extend to self-driving automobiles. Attackers will breach privacy and get access to personal information and digital accounts, leading to substantial financial benefits. Resale in the black market and data harvesting on a large scale is highly lucrative, and cyber criminals could earn millions.

Rise of Cyber Threats

With the increased use of technology everywhere and anytime, the future holds great potential for cyber criminals and cyber security experts. The spectrum of cyber threats will continue to expand with time. Organized cyber attacks will become prevalent and cyber criminals will collaborate across borders to maximize their range and damage. The highly coordinated information-sharing network of cyber criminals will result in large-scale attacks on critical infrastructure. You might be familiar with the WannaCry cyber attack in 2017, where hackers affected thousands of IT devices worldwide.

State-sponsored cyber attacks will become rampant; foreign governments will threaten any state to make unwelcome decisions. For instance, an attack on national power grids can force any country to follow the orders of the attacking state.

The use of social media and hacking of digital accounts, especially government bodies, to spread fake news and propaganda will continue to rise in the coming years. State-sponsored cybercrimes will play a vital part in manipulating the public narrative and election results. The US presidential election is the leading example of increased political interference of Russia through cyberspace. This practice will gain momentum in the future, and cyber warfare will become a battleground for first-world countries.

Increased Ransomware and Phishing Attacks

Ransomware and phishing attacks will continue to rise and become more sophisticated in the coming years. Most of the world is connected to the internet but lacks security training. It will catalyze and intensify the potential damages to the individual and organizations. With time, ransomware will become systematic group activities where cyber criminals will not only steal sensitive data but also prevent recovery and backup of lost data. It will worsen the security of the potentially vulnerable systems and cause more and more users and businesses to pay ransom to cyber criminals in exchange for recovering sensitive information. All users and organizations who fail to implement cyber security will incur a financial loss at the hands of hackers. It will aggravate the situation as cyber terrorists will use this money to increase the number and intensity of attacks. Moreover, there is a potential risk of using these funds to finance other criminal activities, such as terrorist attacks and drug and illegal weapons production and distribution.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Language

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine language (ML) are a double-edged sword and have great scope in the future. Interestingly, with the rapid expansion of massive volumes, cybercriminals and cyber security experts are harnessing AI to their advantage.

Cybercriminals rely on AI to speed up the analysis of stolen data and unveil valuable information such as passwords and financial details. Contrarily, cybersecurity professionals use AI to discover hidden devices and patterns while analyzing and processing huge volumes of data. Some AI techniques such as biometric verification, automated systems, and deep learning of security algorithms will increasingly help them to anticipate upcoming attacks and avoid falling victim to them.

ML will empower cybersecurity experts to upgrade the monitoring and security system of the IoT ecosystem. They could easily detect and trace a threat through continuous monitoring of traffic and warn the security admins about potential threats or attacks.

Final Thoughts

The scope of cyber security is not limited to the IT sector. It is much broader as every industry relies on massive piles of data to make decisions and accelerate growth. Data is the potential target of cyber criminals. The need to protect data and safeguard IT systems will expand cyber security regardless of industry. IT professionals could make a stable career in the cyber landscape by gaining relevant education and learning cutting-edge technology like AI.

Cover Image by Pexels

Tags: cyber threat, cybersecurity, cybersecurity courses, hacking, iot

About the Author

Bibhuranjan Editorial Officer, technofaq.org I'm an avid tech enthusiast at heart. I like to mug up on new and exciting developments on science and tech and have a deep love for PC gaming. Other hobbies include writing blog posts, music and DIY projects.