The year 2020 was a year, definitely we can’t forget. No one could have expected the way it turned. The year was mostly like a gap year for most of the industries. In this year 2021, because of the scattered workforces, and the growing number of cyber attacks the gap is increasing. To fill the gap, we are forced to intensify our cyber security efforts to protect the networks and systems. Businesses have to look after their cloud presence to be sure that their data is secure.

Let’s have a close look at what is expected this year, and for everyone how it is important to keep the organization’s assets safe. Here we have listed down certain trends that may give shape to the cyber security landscape in the year 2021.

Working Remotely
Now working remotely is turned out to be more than just an emergency for the short term. This year also, most probably going to see more employees working remotely. Keeping this in mind, we can expect that most of the businesses will be concentrating on their remote working abilities; for example, by virtual events and various productivity platforms.

What does it mean?
● The move to work remotely has happened so rapidly, it was obvious to leave security gaps to get home-based workers up and running in a fast way.
● Many businesses will be shifting towards a ‘hybrid’ personnel this year: where some employees are home-based, some remain workplace-based, and other employees work on both back and forth between these two. If you are following this shift, it needs a review of your cyber security platform to be sure that it is fit for the purpose.
● Now it is very much important to adopt the ‘zero trust’ concept to security. This means you shouldn’t trust anything coming into your system. You have to verify anything trying to connect with your system. Major functionalities include multi-factor authentication and ‘need to know’ access controls.

Ransomware
It is becoming more dangerous day by day. Last year the medical industry was the target. Normally, vulnerable threat actors are acting as services. They focus on the most vital and sensitive data of an organization and ask for higher amounts. In 2021, we can expect more of it.

What does it mean?
● As per the threat landscape reports of 2020, it has been found that there is a year-on-year increment of nearly 715% in ransomware attacks. You definitely have to handle ransomware attacks to save your work.
● User training is vital- i.e. train users to find out and avoid hazardous attachments as well as links- and issuing reminders at regular intervals.
● Major components of your circle protector should have email server filters, URL blocking, and anti-virus signatures.
● System monitoring can provide you an alert of ransomware instantly to command and control.
● A backup and recovery plan is crucial.

Cyber Security-as-a-Service Providers
A lot of organizations don’t have the resources to deal with evolving cybersecurity tasks. The workload has grown as most organizations prefer to work remotely. Now, organizations are looking for outsourcing information security jobs to handle a strong mechanism in place.

What does it mean?
● The organizations referred to as cyber security-as-a-service (CSaaS) providers offer services like security information and event management (SIEM) and security operations center (SOC) systems.
● SOC signifies a location where threat response, security analysis, and monitoring take place. The SOC team consists of engineers and security analysts whereas; SIEM technology assists in collecting alerts and doing documentation for future purposes.
● CSaaS provides benefits like scalability, less expensive, and digital transformation.

Cloud Security
Now, most organizations have a cloud presence. Even though they have loads of critical information in the cloud, they don’t realize the importance of being “in the cloud”. Because of the pandemic, many businesses moved to cloud-based systems and applications for the first time. In the year 2021, these new cloud users will have to deal with these security stances carefully.

What does it mean?
● It is important to keep in mind that although your cloud service provider is providing security to your cloud, you are responsible for your networks and access controls.
● The cloud security provider may provide some level of monitoring and logging tools. Ensure that you utilize these tools to track any unusual or unauthorized access attempts.

AI in Cyber Security
Artificial Intelligence enables under-resourced and understaffed security teams to be up to date on cyber threats and attacks. As per the research report, the market of ‘AI in cybersecurity is predicted to hit $15 billion by 2025.

What does it mean?
● Artificial Intelligence offers hands-on threat mitigation abilities for frequent supervision as well as security vulnerabilities adoption.
● With the help of AI, users can get security alerts to turn on frequent threat mitigation.
● Along with Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning can be useful to prevent cyber threats despite detection.

Extended Detection and Response
Extended Detection and Response (XDR) involved different security solutions into one security operating system. It offers an integrative view of vulnerabilities across the technology platform and assists different firms to go beyond the normal detective controls.

What does it mean?
● Real-time information delivery required to mitigate threats leads to better and faster insights.
● XDR Provides better detection, protection, and response abilities
● We can find improved productivity of the operational security employees
● Efficient detection as well as a response against low expenses.

For most of the businesses, the year 2021 will be a year to take stock, to have a look at how their vulnerabilities have changed because of the pandemic, and accordingly finding out their defenses.

To build up a secured platform, if you want knowledge and any sort of help, contact us now!