Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2021

Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats to Watch in 2021

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed unprecedented growth in new cybersecurity challenges mainly due to the rapid shift to remote working. Tanium’s survey report narrates that 90% of organizations witnessed a rise in cyberattacks due to COVID-19. The pandemic hasn’t ended till now, and the struggle to ensure remote operations security along with employees’ cyber security training in Cyprus is still a major concern. The present time not just demands organizations to prioritize their security resources, but also demands to have a close eye on the latest cybersecurity threats. Therefore, this blog presents the top 5 cybersecurity threats to watch in 2021 and onward years.

1. Digital Transformation

Organizations were already opting for digital transformation prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic has just triggered it at a faster pace. But rapid digital transformation often comes with fewer security practices. As per the Ponemon report, 82% of organizations accepted the fact that they had at minimum one data breach due to digital transformation. Therefore, digital transformation is becoming one of the attractive routes for cyber-attackers.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are becoming more powerful and advanced with every passing year. They are penetrating systems using three main approaches, i.e., automated programs, phishing emails, and social media phishing. Human-operated ransomware attacks spends weeks or months to develop tactics to trick victims. Just in 2020, ransomware caused the world over $1 billion. In 2021, ransomware attacks are going to increase further with more advanced tactics and ways to penetrate systems.

3. Insiders

Insiders are becoming an issue for organizations, including both negligent and malicious insiders. Insider threats can come from present or former employees, contractors, or business associates who have sensitive information about organization security protocols, networks, etc. Due to COVID-19, employees are more stressed, working in unfamiliar environments, lacking cyber security training in Cyprus, and losing jobs. In all such situations, insider threats are inevitable in 2021.

4. Lack of Monitoring

There are uncountable numbers of organizations today that are lacking in setting up a proper monitoring infrastructure for networks, servers, and sensitive data. The main reasons behind the lack are work overload, shortage of cybersecurity experts, outdated systems, etc. When organizations are already struggling with digital transformation and remote working, the lack of monitoring systems makes the whole environment more vulnerable.

5. Attacks on User Devices

Employees working remotely are connected with organization resources using devices that are not managed, secured, and patched by the IT department. This means that attackers have more room to penetrate networks and bypass security walls. 2020 is the new beginning of such breaches, while 2021 is just going to witness more of such attacks.

Wrapping Up

Addressing the above cybersecurity threats as a priority can help an organization overcome most of the possible vulnerabilities and gain a competitive edge over others. But this also implies that employees get continuous cyber security training in Cyprus to ensure that they are also aware of the latest threats and cybersecurity measures. In a nutshell, COVID-19 has disrupted the business world greatly and provided the gateway to cyber-criminals, but it is still in the hands of organizations on how focused are they towards top-notch cybersecurity measures.