With technological advancements, the cyber threat landscape is equally evolving, with new threats emerging every dawn. Businesses should watch out as cybercriminals take advantage of developing hacking techniques to increase the potency of their ambitions. Enterprises should prepare adequately to face these threats by getting cybersecurity threat assessments done by experts.
Keeping track of established threats, such as Ransomware and emerging threats, is vital for data safety. That said, below are four cybersecurity threats that affect emerging technologies:
The Internet of Things Device Threats
To cope with the latest technology trends, companies are continually adding new devices to their infrastructure. For instance, companies install security cameras and intelligent container ships for easy tracking to improve their security situation. However, most of these devices have weak management systems, which many businesses need to pay more attention to. Any company looking to stay safe or easily track their products should consider installing IoT devices that are easily manageable and implement systematic processes for updating them. Otherwise, this will leave them exposed to severe cybersecurity risks.
Cryptojacking
Ransomware remains the most significant business threat, exploiting basic system vulnerabilities such as poor network segmentation and backups. Cybercriminals currently employ the same variants of the ransomware initially used to encrypt information to systems that mine cryptocurrencies. This practice is what is called crypto mining or cryptojacking.
Cryptojacking malware is similar to the strains used in ransomware, such as NotPetya and Petya. However, unlike ransomware, which encrypts all the system information for ransom, cryptojacking malware runs in the background silently and undetected as individuals mine cryptocurrencies. The surge in cryptojacking cases rubbishes the initial argument where several SMB leaders claimed this business was too small and safe to attack.
Geopolitical Risks
When migrating to cloud-based storage, companies and businesses should consider the location where their client’s data and products are stored. This is because geographical areas determine cybersecurity risks and regulations. Security regulations such as the GDPR and threats experienced in nations such as North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China make it prudent for organizations to evaluate cautiously the intricacies involved in their security controls. Organizations that store data in third-party countries and ignore potential location and geopolitical risks expose their information to many threats.
Mobile Malware
With increasing use, mobile devices are becoming a top target for cybercriminals. This trend is rooted in the high vulnerability of these devices to attacks. Privacy concerns often limit organizations trying to encourage the use of mobile device management systems. That aside, most Android-run devices are running on old versions of Android OS, making it challenging to install protection solutions they cannot support.
Phishing
With emerging technologies, phishing is becoming more sophisticated than before. For a long time, phishing has been one of the cheapest and easiest methods cyber criminals use to compromise their targets. In most cases, phishing attacks come as standard, regular emails that appear to have been sent from trusted sources. However, they deliver malware to the recipient’s device or computer, enabling the hacker to easily access the device.
With extensive use of SaaS services such as Office 365, Dropbox, Slack, and others, cybercriminals sharpen their impersonating skills with advanced and sophisticated attacks, including social engineering methodologies. They lure potential victims with engaging information, making identifying these attacks challenging, even for tech-savvy individuals.
The Bottom Line
With emerging technologies come advanced cybersecurity threats. Proper awareness and a basic understanding of cyber threats will help businesses better protect their digital assets. Observing various security measures, such as using a router VPN to protect your business Wi-Fi network, is also prudent.
Nonetheless, if you discover that your systems have been breached, immediately change your passwords, replacing them with strong ones. You should also consider shutting down the techniques and notify your credit card companies and banks. It’s always a good idea to engage third-party IT experts to assess the breach and recommend practical corrective actions is always a good idea.
