Data threats are here to stay. But are you ready to survive them and keep your business on course when they attack? Also, they come in different forms that pose various levels of destruction to data. The year 2020 is not different. This year, you will continue encountering different attacks on your data. One of the ways to ensure safety is to use advanced data backup solutions ( learn more here ). But aside from backing up your data, make sure that you understand the risks you’re like to come across in 2020 and seek proper protection against each of them. Continue reading to learn about the most likely threats your data might face.
Cloud Jacking
Cloud jacking is one of the leading threats you are most likely to face this year. Most businesses are shifting their data storage to the cloud. Thus, hackers are also focusing their attacks on the cloud to make a kill. According to the Sophos 2020 Threat Report, misconfiguration accounts for most of the cloud jacking incidents.
Also, Trend Micro predicts that direct and indirect code injection onslaughts will threaten many businesses. Hackers can inject malicious codes using third-party libraries to control and manipulate files and data businesses store in the cloud. They will work against organizations when businesses unknowingly download and run those files.
State-Sponsored Attacks
States are now using hackers to access other government systems and attack them. Although these attacks target government systems and infrastructures, businesses must guard themselves against such dangers as well. Private sector representatives could be caught in the cross-fire as states wage cyber wars against each other and settle scores.
Deepfakes
This type of cyber onslaught uses machine learning and AI to manipulate videos or images to make someone appear to do something they didn’t do. Therefore, companies should guard against this attack since hackers can steal their images or videos and manipulate them, as the publication of such manipulated content could cause business losses due to a ruined reputation. For instance, a business would need to spend more time and money trying to clean up its tarnished reputation.
Insider Threats
Insider threats are another battlefront every business needs to guard against. Last year, Verizon’s data breach investigation report revealed that 34% of all data breaches involved internal company players. Some of these actors threaten and expose company data through negligence, while others do so maliciously.
Businesses can offset these risks by speedily detecting, investigating, and responding to all insider threat symptoms. You need to go beyond malware to deal with these threats. Some of the ways you can use include monitoring:
- Unauthorized logins;
- New programs installed on locked-down PCs;
- Users who recently received administrator rights to devices;
- New gadgets on restricted networks.
You can fortify and enhance these steps by combining machine learning with intelligent tagging. This combination detects suspicious activities and modifications to computer systems.
Ransomware Strategies Evolve
Ransomware is another threat businesses need to fight this year. This cybersecurity threat costs enterprises billions of dollars annually. Hackers hijack individual or business databases and hold them hostage until the owner pays the ransom. The rise of cryptocurrency has fueled its use because hackers demand anonymous payment via Bitcoin and other digital currencies. This way, it’s nearly impossible to trace the thieves.
Mobile Malware
Mobile malware is another battlefront you will need to fight this year. The reason is that many businesses are moving with mobile trends and going mobile. For instance, they access their sensitive data stored in the cloud anywhere by using mobile devices. Thus, hackers have shifted their attacks there to get more victims.
Weaponized Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a major breakthrough in information technology. However, every good thing is subject to abuse. For instance, it’s critical in boosting security strategies. Thus, tech-savvy hackers also abuse and weaponize it to destroy businesses. For example, hostile AI can quickly learn algorithms to create viruses and ransomware to bypass security systems. Such systems can also hoodwink unsuspecting users to share critical information or download malware.
There you go with some of the most dangerous threats to your business data this year. Use these insights to take greater control over data security and safeguard your business in 2020.
