Complexity of IoT to drive towards security vulnerability

According to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index (VNI), it is predicted that there will be about 26 billion IP devices connected to the network by 2020. With the Internet of Things (IoT) reaching the levels of enterprise networks, government systems and the general user phones to such a large-scale security vulnerability will continue to affect these connected devices. Due to the complexity of protocols and standards, lack of skilled resources to manage the IoT environment, low-quality products with vulnerable security measures, and complex architectures, IoT devices have already been attacked by hackers, which is projected to get worse in 2017. In fact, organizations are not yet equipped enough to check even their popular apps for malware, which is leading to DDoS attacks and even providing an entry point into networks of companies for APT and ransomware.

The way forward: The battle will be won by those who can secure their IoT devices with custom solutions.

Cloud security gains prominence

Cloud security breaches have prevented many organizations from adopting cloud computing for a long time. However, this year a reverse pattern may be seen with cloud security expected to gain prominence in the IT ecosystem. Cloud security certifications such as Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK), Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), and Certified Cloud Security Practitioner (CCSP) provide a sense of refuge to organizations planning to join the cloud computing bandwagon. . In addition, the industry at large is seen sharing best practices and tips on how to safely start integrating the cloud. With organizations gaining confidence in deploying the cloud, as well as their on-premises solutions, cloud adoption is expected to increase in the coming year. However, the rate of acceleration would depend entirely on strengthening cloud security practices and reducing cloud security breaches.

The way forward: Investing in Cloud Security-as-a-Service would make sense for businesses, as it will help minimize security breaches, while lowering the costs of purchasing and maintaining firewalls.

Ransomware and malware everywhere

Malware attacks have become sophisticated over the years as they continue to transform, going beyond the defenses offered by most antivirus products and security vendors. As companies are seen embracing remote work, introducing wearable devices, and connecting the dispersed workforce through IoT-enabled devices, attackers are also expected to use technology to gain access to enterprise networks through the devices. of employees and hack the system. Mobile malware could be one of the biggest issues in 2017 that businesses need to proactively address. In fact, a mobile data breach can cost a business around $26 million, according to a study by Lookout, a mobile security company, and the Ponemon Institute, an independent research firm focused on privacy, data protection and information security. Additionally, with the proliferation of 4G and 5G services and the increase in Internet bandwidth, mobile devices may experience increased vulnerability to DDoS attacks.

Along with malware, ransomware will also continue to evolve in the coming year. Ransomware attacks on the cloud and critical servers may see an increase, as hackers would keep organizations on their toes to part with the extortion amount or face the risk of shutting down an entire operation. However, such payments may not even guarantee companies the future security of their data or even the recovery of their current data.

The way forward: stop being kidnapped. Protect your devices and servers with custom security solutions.

Automation to bridge the skills gap

Finding skilled IT resources will continue to be a major issue for the industry, and with it, newer methods to bridge this gap are also expected to emerge. One of the main trends anticipated for this year would be the use of automation to perform certain tasks, especially those that are repetitive or redundant. This would help IT professionals focus on the important tasks at hand and businesses make the most of their workforce.

The way forward: Implementing the right automation solution will help IT professionals gain instant access to any malicious threats instead of manually searching for breaches.

Secure SDLC, the way forward

Although testing is considered an important part of application security, it is often relegated to a later stage in code development. In the absence of regulations or industry standards, companies are often seen adopting their own methods when it comes to coding, focusing on developing code quickly rather than doing it securely.

The current process for the software development life cycle (SDLC) with its five main phases: Design, Development (coding), Test, Deployment, and Maintenance, has the major shortcoming that testing is done at a later stage. Security vulnerabilities are usually verified using methods such as penetration tests at a time when the solution is almost ready to be released to the market. This could lead to the system being susceptible to attack by any code that remains unverified. In the coming year, it is hoped that the industry may go a step further by adopting Secure-SDLC (sSDLC) to circumvent such problems. With sSDLC, code changes will be automatically analyzed and developers will be notified immediately in the event of a vulnerability. This will help educate developers about the bugs and make them security aware. Furthermore, vendors will also be able to prevent vulnerabilities and minimize hacking incidents.

The way forward: Moving toward secure SDLC will help companies get the code right the first time, saving time and costs in the long run.

MSP will continue to be the need of the hour

Managed Service Provider (MSP) was adopted to help businesses manage their hosted applications and infrastructure, with many predicting that with the implementation of the cloud, it could become redundant. However, over time, MSP has been seen to remain at the core of many business services. While most businesses have moved to the cloud, many businesses with mission-critical applications are unable to bring their infrastructure into the cloud ecosystem due to regulatory or compliance issues. These still need to be managed and maintained.

Additionally, deploying and managing mixed cloud and on-premises environments requires mature skill sets. MSP not only helps provide the right guidance, but even helps companies choose the right hosting, taking into account the company’s budget and prevailing industry security and compliance policies.

The way forward: MSP is expected to go beyond managing the IT environment. Such providers can become a business extension for companies to advise them on policy and process management.

Threat intelligence to become strategic and collaborative

According to the EY Global Information Security Survey, while organizations are seen to be making progress in how they detect and resist today’s cyber attacks and threats, considerable improvement is still needed to deal with sophisticated attacks. For example, 86% of respondents said their cybersecurity function did not fully meet the needs of their organization. Growing threats, rising cybercrime, geopolitical crises, and terrorist attacks are expected to continue to drive organizations to evolve their approach to resisting cyberattacks.

Incorporating cybersecurity strategy into the business process can also become an important component. Microsoft, for example, recently unveiled its $1 billion investment plans to implement a new integrated security strategy across its entire portfolio of products and services.

The way forward: Cyber ​​security can no longer be approached in silos by one company. Companies must address the problem by working collaboratively by sharing best practices and creating war room programs.