Top 5 IT Security Trends of 2017
IoT complexity to lead to a security vulnerability
According to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index (VNI), it is predicted that there will be around 26 billion devices connected to the IP network by 2020. With the Internet of Things (IoT) reaching the levels of enterprise networks, government systems and user phones generally in such a large-scale security vulnerability will continue to affect these connected devices. Due to the complexity of protocols and standards, the absence of trained resources to manage the IoT environment, low-quality products with vulnerable security measures, and intricate architectures, IoT devices have already been attacked by hackers, which is predicted worse in 2017. In fact, organizations are not yet equipped enough to check even their popular applications for malware, leading to DDoS attacks and even providing an entry point into company networks for APT and ransomware .
The way forward: The battle will be won by those who can protect their IoT devices with custom solutions.
Cloud security to gain prominence
Security breaches in the cloud have prevented many organizations from adopting cloud computing for a long time. However, this year you may see a reverse pattern and cloud security is expected to gain prominence in the IT ecosystem. Cloud security certifications, such as Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK), Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), and Certified Cloud Security Practitioner (CCSP), provide a sense of refuge to organizations planning to join the computing train in Cloud. In addition, the industry in general is considered to share best practices and advice on how to safely embark on cloud integration. With organizations gaining confidence in deploying the cloud, as well as their on-premises solutions, cloud adoption is expected to increase in the next year. However, the rate of acceleration would depend entirely on strengthening cloud security practices and curbing security breaches in the cloud.
The way forward: Investing in cloud security as a service would make sense for businesses, as it will help minimize security breaches, while reducing the costs of purchasing and maintaining firewalls.
Ransomware and malware everywhere
Malware attacks have become sophisticated over the years as they continue to transform, going beyond the defenses offered by most antivirus products and security vendors. As companies are seen to embrace telecommuting, introducing wearable devices, and connecting the dispersed workforce through IoT-enabled devices, attackers are also expected to use the technology to gain access to business networks through employee devices and hacking into the system. Mobile malware could be one of the top issues in 2017 that companies would need to proactively address. In fact, a mobile data breach can cost a business around $ 26 million, according to a study by Lookout, a mobile security company, and Ponemon Institute, an independent research company focused on privacy, data protection and information security. In addition, with the proliferation of 4G and 5G services and the increase in Internet bandwidth, mobile devices may witness an increased vulnerability to DDoS attacks.
Along with malware, ransomware will continue to evolve over the next year as well. Ransomware attacks on the cloud and critical servers may witness an increase, as hackers would keep organizations hard-pressed to part with the amount of extortion or face the risk of shutting down an entire operation. However, such payments may not even guarantee companies the future security of their data or even the recovery of their current data.
The way forward: stop being held for ransom. Protect your devices and servers with custom security solutions.
Automation to bridge the skills gap
Finding skilled IT resources will continue to be a major issue for the industry, and with it, new methods of closing this gap are also expected to emerge. One of the main trends expected this year would be the use of automation to perform certain tasks, especially those that are repetitive or redundant. This would help IT professionals to focus on important tasks and companies to get the most out of their workforce.
The way forward: Implementing the right automation solution will help IT professionals gain instant access to any malicious threats instead of manually searching for breaches.
Secure SDLC, the way forward
Although testing is considered an important part of application security, it is often relegated to a later stage in code development. In the absence of regulations or industry standards, companies are often seen as adopting their own methods when it comes to coding, concentrating on developing codes quickly rather than securely.
The current process for the software development life cycle (SDLC) with its five main phases: design, development (coding), testing, implementation and maintenance, has a significant deficiency of testing that is done at a later stage. Security vulnerabilities are generally verified using methods such as the pencil test at a time when the solution is almost ready to be released. This could make the system susceptible to attack by any code that remains unchecked. In the coming year, the industry is expected to take another step forward by adopting Secure-SDLC (sSDLC) to circumvent these issues. With sSDLC, code changes will be automatically analyzed and developers will be notified immediately in case of any vulnerabilities. This will help educate developers on bugs and make them security conscious. Additionally, providers will also be able to prevent vulnerabilities and minimize hacking incidents.
The way forward: Moving to secure SDLC will help companies get the code right from the start, saving time and costs in the long run.
MSP will continue to be the need of the hour
The Managed Service Provider (MSP) was adopted to help companies manage their hosted applications and infrastructure, and many predicted that with the implementation of the cloud, it could become redundant. However, over time, MSP has been seen to remain a central element of many business services. While most companies have moved to the cloud, many companies with critical applications are unable to bring their infrastructure into the cloud ecosystem due to compliance or regulatory issues. These still need to be managed and maintained.
Additionally, deploying and managing mixed, cloud and on-premises environments requires a mature skill set. MSP not only helps provide the correct guidance, but even helps companies choose the right hosting, taking into account the company’s budget and prevailing industry regulations and security policies.
The way forward: MSP is expected to go beyond managing the IT environment. Such vendors can become a business extension for companies to advise on policy and process management.
Threat intelligence to become strategic and collaborative
According to the EY Global Information Security Survey, while organizations are seen to be making progress in the way they detect and resist cyberattacks and today’s threats, considerable improvements are still needed to deal with sophisticated attacks. For example, 86 percent of those who responded to the survey stated that their cybersecurity role did not fully meet the needs of their organization. Growing threats, increased cybercrime, geopolitical clashes, and terrorist attacks are expected to continue to drive organizations to develop their approach to being resilient against cyber attacks.
Incorporating cybersecurity strategy into business processes can also become an important component. Microsoft, for example, recently unveiled its $ 1 billion investment plans to implement a new integrated security strategy across its entire portfolio of products and services.
The way forward: Cybersecurity can no longer be approached in isolation by one business. Companies must address the problem by working collaboratively, sharing best practices, and creating war programs.
