Today, nearly double the number of Internet-connected devices are in use compared to just 5 years ago. 2019 has been a year filled with new cybersecurity risks and developments, and with 26 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices with a net worth of almost $1.7 trillion already in use, many are wondering what does the future hold?

THE CYBER LANDSCAPE OF 2019

Tis’ the season to look back on the year and recap the trends and happenings of 2019. In the cyber world, the only constant that remained was change:

• Blockchain: With wild swings through 2017 and 2018, blockchain technology finally regained its footing, with blockchain project developments in the works for large organizations in a wide range of industries, including energy and utilities, supply chain, healthcare, insurance, retail, and, of course, financial services.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: This year was one of true change in the AI and machine learning arenas. Organizations began prioritizing AI and machine learning projects that involve data mining and predictive analytics. Companies of all sizes from across industries are looking to harness the power of real-time reporting dashboards, data integration, and AI-based business intelligence to gain insight that leads to greater market share.
• Cryptojacking: The good news is that cryptojacking—the unauthorized takeover of someone’s computer in order to mine cryptocurrency—is on the decline, accounting for less than 10% of all attacks (the attack method made up nearly a quarter of all attacks in 2018). The bad news is that cybercriminals seem to prefer ransomware at the moment.

LOOKING AHEAD

With the explosion of technology applications across every aspect of our lives, cyber attacks will continue to have an increasingly strong presence. Threat vectors range from blockchain used to deliver the sustainable food we buy at the grocery store, to our smart thermostat that senses the temperature outdoors and modifies the furnace or air conditioning accordingly. Some estimate that 98% of all new cars will be manufactured with some form of Internet-connectivity by the end of 2020.

Hand in hand with these developments will be new cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. Organizations and governments alike will have to be vigilant in dealing with the evolving threat landscape, and many are trying: In 2019 alone, 43 states and Puerto Rico introduced or are considering as many as 300 bills/resolutions to address cybersecurity.

As the new year approaches, smart companies will resolve to meet the growing cybercrime wave with increased security awareness, monitoring, and implementation. Security Pursuit remains vigilant in it’s ability to identify new cyber developments while safeguarding your critical data and systems in 2020 and beyond. As always, we look forward to helping you navigate tomorrow’s brave new world!