Cybersecurity trends for 2024: Your Priorities for the Coming Year

By James Rees, MD, Razorthorn Security

Over the last few weeks I have been catching up with a number of my cybersecurity contacts, primarily engaging with them for new content on our increasingly popular Razorwire podcast. During these conversations, as tends to happen during at this time of year, one of the things I have discussed with these professionals is what are (in their view) some key cybersecurity trends for 2024? It’s a simple question but it has provoked some extremely interesting comments – many of which I will be addressing on the podcast itself. However, for speed, I felt it was a good idea to write a blog outlining some of the responses I have had, so I can explore these before recording.

2024 seems to be a landmark year in the cybersecurity space. We have huge innovation occurring within the AI / AR space, augmented reality is rapidly gaining in popularity, high profile attacks are coming in thick and fast and the investment world seems to have folded into itself in some sectors but seems to be dramatically increasing in others. 2024 is going to definitely be interesting on a number of levels.

One of hot topics on the cybersecurity agenda it seems, is the future of accountability for security in the boardroom of organisations across the world. With the SEC going after the Solarwinds CISO, DORA coming in in Europe in early 2025, and the world at large – including the World Economic Forum – recognising that cybersecurity is in the top 10 concerns for not only cybersecurity professionals but the whole C-Suite, as well as governmental bodies.

The landscape of cybersecurity is rapidly changing and evolving. The future of cybersecurity seems to be more complex and challenging, with an increasing reliance on technology and a growing threat landscape. With the rise in cyber threats, it’s clear that organisations need to prioritise their cybersecurity strategies and invest in proactive measures.

One interesting point raised is the shift towards accountability in the boardroom. This suggests a recognition of the need for senior management to be actively involved in cybersecurity decisions, highlighting its importance as a business risk rather than just an IT issue.

The rise in cyber threat intelligence also points to a shift from reactive to proactive approaches towards cybersecurity. By staying ahead of potential breaches through intelligence gathering and analysis, organisations can better protect themselves against cyber threats.

The increasing concerns over privacy highlight the importance of data protection in today’s digital age. As more sensitive data is stored online, organisations need to ensure they have robust measures in place to protect customer information.

Overall, these insights paint a picture of a future where cybersecurity is increasingly central to business operations. It will require ongoing investment and focus from all levels within an organisation – from boardroom executives down to individual employees – underpinned by advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning.

On top of this, the following topics crop up time and time again in my conversations recently.

Cyber threat intelligence

More and more organisations are recognising the importance of being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to cyber threats. Cyber threat intelligence will be increasingly important for organisations to stay ahead of potential breaches.

Increased use of AI and machine learning

AI and machine learning are already being used in cybersecurity, but their use is expected to increase significantly. These technologies can help automate security protocols, identify threats and respond quickly.

Privacy concerns

With an increasing amount of sensitive data being stored online, privacy concerns are only going to escalate. Organisations will need to prioritise data privacy and put in place robust measures to protect their customers’ information.

Security-as-a-service

As cybersecurity becomes more complex, many businesses, especially SMEs, are likely to opt for security-as-a-service (SaaS) offering them access to the latest security technologies without having a costly, in-house team.

Supply chain attacks

Supply chain attacks have been on the rise and this trend is expected to continue. Organisations will need to pay closer attention to the security of their supply chains as well as their own infrastructure.

IoT security

The Internet of Things is expanding rapidly with billions of devices connected worldwide. This presents a massive opportunity for cyber criminals, thus IoT security will become increasingly critical.

Rise in phishing attacks

Phishing attacks have been increasing year on year and this trend is expected not only to continue but also evolve with more sophisticated techniques being used by attackers.

The human element

Despite all the technological advancements, the human element remains a weak link in cybersecurity. There will be a greater focus on educating employees about cybersecurity risks and how they can contribute towards a secure environment.

Government regulation

Expect an increase in government regulation around cybersecurity as they try to protect their citizens and national infrastructure from cyber threats.

Cyber insurance

With the increasing number of cyber attacks, cyber insurance is becoming a necessity for many organisations. It’s expected to become a standard part of business insurance packages.

In Conclusion…

2024 will undoubtedly bring new challenges and risks within the information security space but it also presents opportunities for innovation and growth. As we move forward into this exciting yet complex landscape, it will be critical for organisations to not only withstand but thrive amidst these challenges by staying ahead of emerging trends and continually enhancing their cyber resilience strategies.

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