Cybersecurity Trends 2023

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The world of information technology is extremely fast-paced, with new developments, new possibilities and new technologies appearing on an almost daily basis.

While much of that should be for our long-term benefit, it also means that the cybersecurity threats we face and the ways that we need to deal with them also require almost constant monitoring and attention.

Given that so many businesses rely on the integrity of their IT systems and the data they store and use, the importance of constant cybersecurity awareness cannot be overestimated. This article will examine some of the key cybersecurity trends in 2023 – both in terms of the new threats we face and the new tools at our disposal with which we can fight back.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Every day, new stories and articles seem to be appearing that suggest AI is either going to solve all our problems or bring about the end of humanity. There are also two sides to the AI coin in cybersecurity, because it can be used both by criminals to launch ever more sophisticated attacks, while also having the potential to form an effective means of mounting a successful defence.

In fact, it may not be too much of an exaggeration to suggest that cybersecurity could become a battleground between competing forms of AI – one using increasingly advanced and convincing phishing and malware attacks and the other detecting and responding to these threats almost as soon as they appear. 

Human error data breaches

In an automated world, protecting your private data – whether you’re a business or an individual – remains the top priority. The tools we have to help us do this are more sophisticated than ever, but it only takes one slip to let the cybercriminals in.

Human error remains the biggest hole in cybersecurity defence systems, so organisations need to be sure that their staff are being trained and regularly reminded that constant vigilance is needed to stay safe.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

The growth of the 5G network means that there is increasing interconnectivity between multiple devices – it has been reported that some 22 billion devices covering many areas of commercial and domestic activity are likely to be connected by 2025. As a still relatively new and developing technology, even the major developers are having to play catch-up and that is leading to a greater vulnerability to outside attacks and bugs. 

Ransomware

Ransomware has been around for a while, but used to be primarily aimed at private individuals. The tactic was simply to send out literally thousands of emails with malicious links and attachments and then wait and hope for the occasional hit. These days it has become considerably more sophisticated, with hackers more likely to target specific businesses. 

A recent article in The Guardian admitted that it, along with Royal Mail, had recently fallen victim to ransomware in which computer networks were locked by hackers who then demanded payment to restore systems. Another increasingly common attack has involved stealing a company’s personnel records, including staff bank account details and NI numbers – the BBC, Boots and British Airways have all recently fallen victim to this kind of attack.

Multi-factor authentication

If we’re not doing it already, we’re all going to have to get a lot more used to multi-factor authentication, whereby a user needs to provide further proof of identity after inputting a system password. This can be in the form of an email to a specified address or a text to a registered mobile phone number containing a code which is required to fully enter the system.

It may feel like a waste of time when you just want to log in and get on with what you need to do, but multi-factor authentication is actually an effective solution because hackers are going to need more than one piece of protected data to enter their targeted network. 

Don’t take chances with your private commercial data. 

Here at Pickl, we can assess the state of your business’ current cybersecurity measures and provide informed recommendations on how best to protect yourself in an increasingly dangerous and complicated cybersphere.

Call us now to talk to one of our experienced team. Our IT and cybersecurity services are available to small and medium-sized businesses operating in and around London, Reading and Guildford.