In 2024 and beyond, cybersecurity will be impacted by forces reshaping the dynamics between attackers and defenders. Some of these forces are technological, such as AI and digital infrastructure, while others are political, such as state-sponsored cyberattacks and hacktivism. The following are four of the top cybersecurity trends to watch for this year.
1. AI Will Dominate the Cybersecurity Landscape
Malicious actors increasingly use AI to make their attacks more sophisticated and efficient. Automation enables attackers to find vulnerabilities, craft exploits quickly and optimize malware to evade detection. Machine learning algorithms identify weaknesses in target systems, leading to more precise and effective attacks. Additionally, AI can make phishing attacks more robust, tricking users into downloading malware or giving cybercriminals sensitive information.
Conversely, defenders can leverage AI in real-time to detect threats by analyzing massive datasets and identifying patterns that indicate malicious behavior. AI-driven automated systems help organizations respond quickly to known threats so humans can focus on more strategic and complex threats. Behavioral and predictive analytics will allow defenders to identify potential threats and take action before an attack happens.
2. Disruptive Hacktivism Is on the Rise
Disruptive hacktivism will likely increase in response to global events this year, such as the elections in the United States and Europe and the Summer Olympics in Paris. Disruptive hacktivism typically aims to raise awareness about a particular cause, express dissent or protest against perceived injustices. These hacktivists use a variety of tactics, such as distributed denial of service attacks, website defacement, and data breaches, to cause disruption and draw attention to their message.
The line between hacktivism and cybercrime can be blurry, and hacktivist actions could result in significant collateral damage to individuals and organizations. As technology evolves, the landscape of disruptive hacktivism will be dynamic, posing ongoing challenges for cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement.
3. Global Conflicts Will Fuel State-Sponsored Attacks
State-sponsored attacks are expected to increase due to several interconnected factors, including wars in the Middle East and Europe. The war in Gaza is expanding to other nations and is likely to spur cyberattacks by sympathetic groups and governments. Russia has been using cyberweapons as part of its ongoing war with Ukraine and its NATO supporters. And North Korea is likely to increase cyberattacks as part of its increasingly aggressive stance toward the West. Some nation states with limited resources find cyberattacks appealing because of their asymmetry, cost-effectiveness and disruptive impact.
4. Cybercriminals Will Step Up Attacks on Digital Infrastructure
Cyberattackers are increasingly targeting digital infrastructure because it has become crucial to modern society and the global economy. Energy grids, financial systems, healthcare networks and transportation systems are becoming more digital, making them prime targets.
Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in these interconnected systems to steal sensitive financial information, run ransomware attacks for extortion or disrupt essential services. Both individuals and organizations are highly vulnerable to such attacks.
MBL Technologies provides comprehensive cybersecurity services for long-term, sustainable solutions that address every facet of the evolving threat landscape in 2024 and beyond. We help you boost your cybersecurity posture and implement cybersecurity best practices at your organization. Contact us today to get started.
