The year 2023 is here, and with it comes a new set of cyber threats that organizations will need to be aware of and prepared for. While it is difficult to predict with certainty what the threat landscape will look like in 2023, based on current trends and developments, there are several key areas of concern that organizations should be aware of.
Ransomware attacks have been on the rise in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. These attacks involve hackers encrypting a victim's files and demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, ransomware attacks are projected to cost businesses $11.5 billion in 2019, rising to $11.5 billion per year by 2021, and $20 billion by 2021 (Source: https://cybersecurityventures.com/ransomware-damage-costs/). Ransomware attacks can cause significant financial and reputational damage to organizations, and the use of ransomware-as-a-service platforms by cybercriminals has made it easier for them to launch these attacks.
Phishing scams, in which attackers use fraudulent emails or websites to trick victims into revealing personal information or login credentials, will likely continue to be a common tactic used by cybercriminals in 2023. According to a report by the Anti-Phishing Working Group, there were more than 1.2 million unique phishing sites in the first half of 2018 (Source: https://www.antiphishing.org/APWG_Global_Phishing_Report_2H2018.pdf). Phishing attacks can be highly effective, as they often target the weakest link in an organization's security: its employees.
As more companies move their data and operations to the cloud, there will be an increasing need for robust security measures to protect against cloud-based attacks. According to a report by the Cloud Security Alliance, the most common cloud security threats in 2018 were data breaches, malicious insiders, and account hijacking (Source: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/research/cloud-security-trends-2018/). As more sensitive data is stored in the cloud, the stakes for a security breach are higher than ever.
The increasing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices being connected to the internet will create new security challenges in 2023, as these devices are often poorly protected and can be easily compromised by attackers. According to a report by Gartner, it is estimated that there will be 20.4 billion IoT devices in use by 2020 (Source: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2018-11-06-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-iot-security-spending-to-grow-28-percent-in-2019). As more IoT devices are connected to networks and the internet, the number of potential attack vectors for cybercriminals increases.
As AI and automation become more prevalent, attackers will likely use these technologies to develop more advanced and sophisticated attacks. According to a report by McAfee, AI-based threats are expected to increase in 2023, with AI-based malware and deepfake attacks becoming more common (Source: https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/assets/reports/rp-quarterly-threats-nov-2019.pdf). As AI and automation become more prevalent in our daily lives, the potential for them to be used in cyber attacks will only increase.
One way organizations can prepare for the 2023 threat landscape is by utilizing the services of a reputable security consulting firm like iFlock Security Consulting. iFlock Security Consulting offers a range of services, including penetration testing and vulnerability assessment, that can help organizations identify and address potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.
Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, simulates a real-world cyber attack on an organization's network to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. This type of testing can help organizations identify and prioritize risks, and develop mitigation strategies to protect against them.
Vulnerability assessments involve identifying, classifying, and prioritizing vulnerabilities in an organization's systems, applications, and networks. This type of assessment can help organizations identify and address potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.
By utilizing the services of a security consulting firm like iFlock Security Consulting, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of their security posture and take proactive measures to protect against potential threats in the 2023 threat landscape.