More home offices, more video meetings, trends that will continue in 2021 will not remain hidden from cybercriminals. To make this new way of working safe and future-proof, users and companies must make cybersecurity a key investment criterion in 2021.
The desire to know the future is almost as old as humanity itself. And even if reading the bowels of dead sacrificial animals or, as is more common nowadays, coffee grounds are little more than spiritualistic nonsense, there is also the “serious” one. “Look at what’s coming. In our digital world, questions about security are of almost existential importance because more and more processes in both private and work life are shifting to the world of zeros and ones – think of the increasingly popular home office or the increasing popularity of video meetings. Cybercriminals are all too aware of these facts.
The year 2020 marked a turning point for our society in many ways: The COVID-19 pandemic has already profoundly changed the way we live and forced us to rethink how we work and interact with one another. This, in turn, has made us far more dependent on the digitization process than ever before. Many organizations have implemented emergency tools that make working remotely easier: video conferencing, collaborative work applications, the cloud, to name a few. However, this was and still is often at the expense of IT security. As a result, there were numerous cyberattacks in all areas in the second half of 2020, which was often accompanied by the risk of severe operational disruptions.
To make this new way of working safe and future-proof, users and companies must make cybersecurity a key investment criterion in 2021, as leading market analysts such as KuppingerCole and Gartner emphasize. For Wallix, for example, 2021 is the year that marks the beginning of changes in the digital world, especially about a changed perception of users: the concept of trust will go hand in hand with profits.
Prediction Number 1: The Standardization Of Remote Work Will Lead To The Use Of The “Zero Trusts” Cybersecurity Architecture
Before this unexpected health crisis, companies had a very different approach to remote work. However, this form of work became the standard overnight, even though it had previously been widely decried as “the devil’s stuff.” However, closings and contact restrictions caused a kind of initial spark. Today, even the most reluctant companies are taking a fresh look at this practice, which will become firmly established in organizations of all sizes.
There will be a “before and after Covid-19” scenario. However, when implementing all of these new processes, it is essential not to lose sight of data protection. Because they are, of course, still the “new oil” of our economy and represent one of the most valuable assets of a company, this year we will see the widespread use of “Zero Trust” cybersecurity architectures as a consequence to be able to control every access to data. This is the only way companies can know who, when, where, and from which endpoint has access to what. To ensure that remote work does not become a security risk, control over the data must remain firmly in the company’s hands. There must be clarity at all times about who these valuable assets are entrusted to, both inside and outside the organization.
Successful teleworking standardization can only be achieved with digital tools developed by companies that understand the importance of protecting their data. To be able to control every access to data. This is the only way companies can know who, when, where, and from which endpoint has access to what. To ensure that remote work does not become a security risk, control over the data must remain firmly in the company’s hands. There must be clarity as to who is entrusted with these valuable assets inside and outside the organization. Successful teleworking standardization can only be achieved with digital tools developed by companies that understand the importance of protecting their data. To be able to control every access to data. This is the only way companies can know who, when, where, and from which endpoint has access to what. To ensure that remote work does not become a security risk, control over the data must remain firmly in the company’s hands.
There must be clarity at all times about who these valuable assets are entrusted to, both inside and outside the organization. Successful teleworking standardization can only be achieved with digital tools developed by companies that understand the importance of protecting their data. Control over the data must remain firmly in the company’s hands. There must be clarity at all times about who these valuable assets are entrusted to, both inside and outside the organization. Successful teleworking standardization can only be achieved with digital tools developed by companies that understand the importance of protecting their data. Control over the data must remain firmly in the company’s hands. There must be clarity at all times about who these valuable assets are entrusted to, both inside and outside the organization. Successful teleworking standardization can only be achieved with digital tools developed by companies that understand the importance of protecting their data.
Prediction Number 2: Flexibility And Agility – Towards An As-A-Service Cybersecurity Model
With the sudden increase in remote work, many companies have seen. They are confronted with entirely new, pressing requirements – and the solution often lies in the introduction of SaaS solutions (Software-as-a-Service), which are quickly and easily implemented in the cloud. To adapt to these new tools, IT security must also evolve towards a more flexible and agile model and, in turn, become “as-a-service.” Even if this approach is not new, it has become indispensable.
Companies will quickly learn the lessons of the health crisis and need to incorporate cyber risks into their risk management plans. To adopt and maintain business continuity in all circumstances, Find authentication, identity, and access management solutions. In general, there will be a surge in demand for managed cybersecurity services in 2021, enabling companies to outsource their IT systems’ security. As a result, the company will benefit from optimized cybersecurity at any time and place while meeting regulatory requirements.
Prediction Number 3: The Emergence Of A European Digital “Trust Space” In 2021
Europe will soon have to create a dedicated European digital space that guarantees companies and citizens independence and sovereignty in the race for digital technologies and equipment. While recent reports from the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) indicate an increase in cyber threats with significant economic implications, personal and non-personal data protection is of paramount importance with the upcoming developments of 5G, AI, and IoT technologies of paramount importance. The emergence of a digital approach that guarantees the competitiveness of our companies, digital access for everyone, and strategic autonomy is becoming an existential priority for our democracies in an increasingly digital world.
This requires the creation of a standardized legal and regulatory framework for the “processing and hosting of data from Europeans in Europe” (Digital Services Act [DAS] and Digital Market Act [DMA], GDPR ), the creation of several trustworthy digital products and services certified and recognized by European countries (such as GAIA X), and finally the creation of multinational industrial players in the cyber sector.
Also Read: Cybersecurity Trends Five Cybersecurity Predictions For 2021
Prediction Number 4: The Emergence Of D
Digital Culture And Risk Awareness
In addition to ecological responsibility, digitization will probably be the most critical challenge for companies in the coming years. This implies creating new jobs with profound implications for all sectors of the economy and creates significant opportunities for growth and jobs. After the creation in 2020 of a new strategic sector called “Security Industries,” with a particular focus on cybersecurity and IoT, secure cloud, and digital identity, this sector will be a pillar of the industrial revitalization of Europe, to provide all services that are essential for the smooth running of companies, industry, and society.
Specifically, a significant part of the investments in the digital transformation of companies and government bodies will have to promote innovations that comply with European digital standards about data protection (GDPR, DSA, DMA) and critical infrastructures (NIS2, etc.). The resilience of our societies and the development of our skills will require a culture of digital trust and knowledge of the existence of cyber risks, with the advent of several new and multi-level training courses and awareness-raising from an early age, from children in school through postgraduate programs.
Prediction Number 5: Cybersecurity By Design: The Performance Engine Of The Future
For far too long, cybersecurity has been perceived as a costly constraint for designers of industrial tools that incorporate digital innovations. In the future, cybersecurity will be seen in advance (“by design”) as a decisive competitive advantage for new offers. By embedding cybersecurity as early as the design phase, manufacturers can increase the value of their offerings and services and improve their brand image right from the start. After all, offering digital tools with embedded cybersecurity means demonstrating digital responsibility: protecting customer and user data is thus becoming the standard.
Prediction Number 6: AI Will Continue Its Cybersecurity Rise Thanks To Data
As the extent of digital risk has evolved and many specialists predict a major digital crash, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used to complement human intelligence to anticipate cyberattacks and respond more quickly. Thanks to the multiplication of Security Operation Centers (SOCs) and internal and international data repositories (Cylon), machine learning and behavioral analysis will be an integral part of cybersecurity solutions in 2021.
These technologies are used to detect cyber threats and malicious behavior in real-time and prevent the spread of attacks in organizations and networks (e.g., malware, ransomware, Crypto viruses, etc.). The widespread use of AI in digital tools will enable cybersecurity strategies and solutions to be adapted in real-time to different purposes, especially in under-equipped small and medium-sized companies, and ultimately provide insurers with data to expand insurance policies to the digital world.
2020 was a challenging year, both for the economy and for individuals. The changes and challenges that we are still confronted with will leave their mark on how we work, meet, and live and permanently change many aspects. In the year ahead and beyond, we will see the effects of these changes, and the importance of cybersecurity, remote work, and data protection will continue to grow.
Also Read: How Cybersecurity Awareness Training Needs To Evolve
