{"id":7181,"date":"2021-01-27T12:53:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T12:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/?p=7181"},"modified":"2021-03-09T15:25:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T15:25:15","slug":"cyber-security-trends-2021-after-2020-perfect-storm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/cyber-security-trends-2021-after-2020-perfect-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyber Security Trends 2021 After The Perfect Storm Of 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7181\" class=\"elementor elementor-7181\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-45e0897e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"45e0897e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2a13f229\" data-id=\"2a13f229\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-264884f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"264884f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 has been described by some as the \u2018<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thefintechtimes.com\/cyber-risk-aware-the-cybercrime-peak-of-2020-and-what-we-can-learn-for-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cybercrime Peak<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019. While it is undeniable that cyber crime <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/under-attack-the-cyber-attacks-2020-landscape\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">increased dramatically in 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, based on current form, the cyber security trends for 2021 look to be heading the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 saw some old cyber security trends increase in popularity (did anyone say ransomware?), and some new cyber security trends appeared due to the Covid-19 pandemic that closed offices around the world and released their workers to remote working from home. The SolarWinds attack as we know it, discovered in December, brought new methods and scopes to cyber attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, with all that the cyber security community went through in 2020, what cyber security trends does 2021 have in store? We\u2019ve pulled together a few ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cyber security trends 2021<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Increased cyber security risks<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expect new methods of attack, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/fireeye-cyber-attack-an-attack-of-the-hgihest-level\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sophistication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and severity. 2020 saw a combination of opportunistic and planned attacks, and that mix looks set to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Dark Halo attacks (a.k.a SolarWinds) revealed in December 2020 were extensively planned and carried out over the course of most of the year. As the mop up operation continues, these attacks are proving to be ever more extensive, with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/us-treasury-cyber-attack-suppliers-in-the-spotlight\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">US Government agencies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/activity-6758000674920828928-CVmJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cybersecurity companies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and small companies alike all impacted by one or more components of the attack. It threw up questions about vulnerability management and supply chain security, and left organisations worldwide scrambling to check their cyber defences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question is whether the success of these attacks will spur other attackers into imitating them in 2020. Someone is sure to try.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Covid-19 will continue to increase cyber risks for organisations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covid-19 pushed more people to work from home than ever before, without time for organisations to prepare for remote working. Cyber attackers were quick to take advantage of the chaos and made use of the opportunities for data breaches and cyber attacks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As 2021 continues, people are still working from home outside the secure environments created by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/infrastructure-security\/network-security\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">network security<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> teams. More attacks will occur on unsecure home computers and networks, taking advantage of unpatched systems, poor passwords, and weak architectures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The return to offices may well make the situation worse. At that point, employees will plug the devices that have been exposed to insecure websites or software back into the office network, potentially risking the entire network.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Ransomware attacks will get worse<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020 saw a 130% increase in ransomware attacks. Ransomware attackers became more confident, and the sums demanded increased.<\/span>&nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health services were especially targeted as Covid-19 stretched hospitals to the limit as the numbers of critically ill patients reached capacity. Cybercriminals took advantage of the general chaos, launching one <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/warning-ransomware-attacks-may-cost-lives\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ransomware attack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after another at hospitals who paid up because they couldn\u2019t afford the downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attackers also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcareitnews.com\/news\/emea\/pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-data-leaked-hackers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">targeted vaccine developers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, stealing data and publishing it online, undermining their work and increasing uncertainty around the vaccine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having found such lucrative forms of attack, it is unlikely that cyber attackers will stop attacking hospitals and other health care settings as long as they continue to pay. In addition, ransomware attackers often piggyback on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/emotet-malware-is-a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">other malware attackers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> increasing the scope of their attacks to include stealing data, before they launch their final attack.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Cyber security budgets will be tested<\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a tough economic landscape. Many businesses are suffering financially, and are faced with budget cuts. These budget cuts could include cuts to cyber security budgets. IT security teams will be challenged to ensure that what budget they do have is spent effectively, and find ways to deal with new risks using limited resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cyber security in 2021 &#8211; reduce the risks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less well known than cyber attacks are cyber attack failures. A rare example of a publicised success was when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/manchester-united-cyber-attack-a-textbook-response\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manchester United<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> announced in November 2020 that they were the victims of a cyber attack. However, their defences, plans, and responses were so well thought out that what could have been a major data breach became almost nothing at all, and the only reason it was newsworthy was because it was Manchester United.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As organisations it is important you do all you can to reduce the cyber risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Reduce the risk of human error<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">90% of all attacks still originate from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/10-cyber-security-mistakes-to-avoid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">human error<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, usually from email attacks. Effective, regular employee training that reminds employees of their cyber security responsibilities, and provides them with the skills to recognise social engineering attacks will improve the overall security posture of your organisation. This is even more important now as employees continue to work remotely, reducing their access to security teams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As remote working continues, improve account security by supporting employees to create and use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/secure-passwords-dont-protect-network-security\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">secure passwords<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or even better, apply multi factor authentication to key accounts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Improve network security<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use security budgets wisely to get the best value for money. Ensure that perimeter security defences are up to date with the latest security patches installed, and are set to alert for any unusual activity.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establish strong <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/security-risk-and-compliance\/cybersecurity-risk-management\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cyber security risk management plans<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that set out what to do in the event of a breach, including isolating affected systems as soon as the breach is discovered and preventing attackers from accessing further systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And most of all, be prepared. 2020 showed that any organisation can be attacked, the important thing is to be ready for the attack, and have the plans in place to limit its impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay safe<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2020 has been described by some as the \u2018Cybercrime Peak\u2019. While it is undeniable that cyber crime increased dramatically in 2020, based on current form, the cyber security trends for 2021 look to be heading the same way. 2020 saw some old cyber security trends increase in popularity (did anyone say ransomware?), and some new&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":7185,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[63,62],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7181"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7181\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/outofsite.biz\/cynance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}