15 Cybersecurity Trends You Can Expect to See in 2021

Posted on February 10, 2021 Security

As technology continues to rapidly change, so too has our reliance on it. Most of us found 2020 to be a year full of unpredicted new challenges and finding new ways to adapt. Technology is what keeps organizations, families, and more together during these challenging times.

While technology is safer and more reliable than it has ever been, you must keep up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends. More people using technology to communicate and work means there’s a greater risk of security threats.

Cybersecurity is a hot topic in the technology and business worlds that’s continuing to grow. 2020 has shown how work environments everywhere are transitioning to remote work models.  Without quality cybersecurity, you’re putting your personal information, hours of work, and your business at risk.

Do you want to keep your work and personal information safe from cyber-attacks? Then you must check out these 15 great cybersecurity trends you’ll be seeing in 2021!

1. Enhancing Privacy

The pandemic of 2020 is causing work environments to transition. In-person offices are becoming a thing of the past as employees and companies learn how to work remotely. The new issue they face is a lack of privacy and security.

Privacy-enhancing technologies (PET) allow businesses to share sensitive data in unsecured environments. Three main technologies make up privacy-enhancing technology:

  • Privacy-aware learning allows for the decentralized processing of analytics and data
  • Creating a trusted environment to share information through confidential computing
  • The use of homomorphic encryption allows data to remain encrypted while processed for decryption

These privacy-enhancing technologies allow businesses to improve data security. This is particularly important in a time where workforces are working remotely. It improves security and privacy keeping your business and employees safe.

2. Automate Cloud Security

Cloud platform services are on the rise as more workplaces turn to remote working. The drawback to this technology is there are many security risks left unmanaged. 2021 will see the trend of Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) rising.

CSPM allows for the automation of cloud security across varying cloud infrastructures. These tools offer security assessments to help companies identify and solve any security issues. They also provide compliance monitoring and join any misconfigurations.

3. Responsible AI Integration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is assisting security teams to minimize the number of cyberattacks. It’s a powerful technology that analyzes risk data from structured and unstructured resources. Security teams can identify and respond to cyber-attacks and threats.

The use of responsible AI ensures accountable, transparent, and ethical uses of AI technology. This use is consistent with companies’ values, user expectations, and societal norms and laws.

4. Hyper-Automation

The new year will see a trend in hyper-automation, where businesses automate much of their IT and business processes. This includes robotic process automation, task automation, AI learning, and decision process tools.

The advantage of hyper-automation is its efficiency and resiliency. This leads to improved business security and productivity. The idea is to automate anything that has the ability to automate in a business.

5. Cloud PKI

You may have heard of public key infrastructure (PKI) as it’s a primary security tool used by many businesses today. A good PKI requires the right hardware and software, secure space, and trained specialists to make it effective. Due to limited IT teams and other cybersecurity, PKI is moving to the cloud.

Improvements in cloud security are making cloud-based PKIs far more reliable and secure than ever before. Businesses can enjoy many advantages including cost-savings, secure operation, and saves valuable time.

6. Managing Endpoints

Endpoint management is becoming a necessary part of IT security. Remote employees and scattered devices are requesting access to businesses’ important assets. Without proper cybersecurity, any one of these endpoints can become the doorway to a cybersecurity attack.

Centralizing an endpoint management system allows businesses to protect remote employees. It also allows for easier management of various endpoint environments. This improvement also allows for automated provisioning, efficient endpoint troubleshooting, and ensure compliance.

7. Security Gap with IoT

All digital and physical components that share data over the internet make up the Internet of Things or IoT. Each one has individual identifiers, sensors, software, and other technology. This technology will continue to grow in 2021.

Most businesses don’t have high confidence in their connected devices and other IoTs. The reason is the lack of IoT standards and efficient cybersecurity. 

As IoT trends over the course of the year so will the need for improved security. Experts are recommending businesses to use a security-by-design technique for their IoT devices. Doing so will involve constant monitoring and threat assessment to minimize the risk of cyberattacks.

8. XDR Extended Detection and Response

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is another cybersecurity trend growing in popularity. This is a SaaS-based technology that uses native integration to unify multiple endpoints. It centralizes security and offers automation, monitoring, alerts, and response to cybersecurity threats.

With XDR technology, organizations and their IT teams have greater visibility of all endpoints. More visibility makes detecting and incident response faster and more effective.

XDR will improve general IT security and productivity of IT security teams. XDR consolidates almost every type of security tool into one system for easier management. Businesses will also have the benefit of saving money and running more efficiently.

9. The Distributed Cloud

Cloud technology is still relatively new and is continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. The distributed cloud model is trending for 2021.

A distributed cloud has an infrastructure that’s geographically dispersed and runs on the edge of most networks. The difference between this and a public cloud model is the former focuses on extending cloud services and data center to edge devices.

Distributed cloud models reduce latency, cut data costs, and meet specific privacy laws. This is particularly important for businesses needing to follow geographical location regulations.

10. Data Privacy is a Discipline

Both companies and individuals have rising concerns about data privacy, management, and security. Due to its complexity and importance, data privacy will become its own discipline in 2021.

Data privacy plays an integral role in nearly every facet of a business. A few key facets include cybersecurity, Human Resources, procurement, corporate strategy, and more. A data leak in any of these areas can cause major negative impacts on a business.

Organizations and their employees will follow higher standards in regards to data security. They’ll have respect for how they collect, use, and protect their data. This will improve cybersecurity and business ethics.

11. Zero-Trust Security

The term “zero-trust security” has been a hot topic throughout 2020 and will continue to grow as one of 2021’s cybersecurity trends. Offering trust to everyone by default is a vulnerability.

Zero-trust security is a model that practices the idea of maintaining strict access controls. This means an organization doesn’t offer access to every employee.
In this model, everyone will undergo identity verification. Only those with the right permissions will receive access.

This form of cybersecurity takes a holistic approach. It works by offering network segmentation and level 7 threat protection. It also simplifies user-access and prevents lateral movement.

Zero-Trust requires authentication of various devices and monitors all devices trying to access the data. Following a zero-trust security infrastructure will minimize security risk.

12. Working Remotely

Many businesses are planning to continue remote work throughout the course of 2021. During the global pandemic of 2020, businesses had to drastically change how they operate. The biggest feat being adapting to changing work environments.

Working from home is becoming the new normal. However, it requires businesses to improve their security and choose better data sharing tools.

Businesses are investing more time and resources into ensuring secure remote access. This allows them to efficiently fix any problems that may arise.

13. Risk of Insider Threats

With remote work comes the increased risk of insider cybersecurity threats. Overlooking access control and endpoint management will increase the of a cyber-attack.

A few examples include unauthorized remote access and unsecured networks. Poor passwords and the use of personal devices are another major cause of insider threats.

As a business, you must consider these risks and be aware of the increased risk of insider threats.

14. Multi-Factor Authentication

A major part of identity verification is multi-factor authentication (MFA). With MFA, users must provide multiple credentials, more than a username and password, to access specific data. This often requires the user to receive a separate code via phone or email or biometric identification.

15. Mobile Device Security

Employees and businesses are relying on their mobile devices to access work-related information. With this comes an increased risk of cyber-attacks without proper security.

Mobile device security requires a combined and multilayered security approach. More businesses are taking the time to acknowledge the need for improved mobile device security. Managing and securing mobile devices will reduce the risk of potential cyberattacks.

Get Ready to Follow These Cybersecurity Trends Today!

The cybersecurity trends of 2021 are all about improving security, data privacy, and more. Work environments are changing, and security needs to adapt. The goal is to keep your business running as efficiently and securely as possible.

Have questions or want to improve your IT security? Let’s get in touch and find the right solutions for your business!

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