Now that we’re halfway through 2019, let’s take a look at our top five security trends for the year 2019. Some of these might seem obvious to you, which means that you’re paying attention (nice job). But it’s not enough just to know about these, you want to make sure that you are ahead of the game on security. Not lagging behind your competitors.
What we did was look at what happened in the world of cybercrime in 2018; specifically, the things that were affecting businesses. Here’s what we came up with:
Trend #1 – The Proliferation of IoT
We’re surrounded by the “internet of things” now.
Back in the day, a business network would include things like an office printer, numerous computers, and cell phones. Now we’re seeing things like smart lights and plugs, digital assistants (Alexa, Google Home, etc.); while all these devices make the office a fun space to work in they can leave you vulnerable to attacks.
Before you add these cool devices to the network you should check with the IT department to make sure they are set up properly. The bare minimum would be to change the default passwords on these devices and make sure the firmware is up to date. Each new device could introduce a new security vulnerability.
Trend #2 – Increase in Two-Factor Authentication
This security trend is a feature that is becoming more and more popular. Also known as multi-factor authentication, this is when you’re going to log into a service that asks for a username/or email and a password, then you get a text containing another code. You enter that code into the field and then you’re in! This essentially creates another level of security so if a hacker were to find your password in a breach, they wouldn’t be able to access your account without the two-factor code.
Trend #3 – Cybercriminals are Getting Smarter
The skills that attackers use are evolving every single day. It’s hard to keep track of what techniques they are using to breach businesses but it’s important to stay as in-the-know as possible. It’s not hard for somebody who is tech-savvy to access training courses on the dark web that will teach them everything they need to know to cause a data breach. But it’s also easy for you to find tools and resources to defend your business against these hackers. Taking security courses and watching online videos is a great first step to improving your security.
Trend # 4 – Security and Privacy are Becoming a Major Concern for Boards
In 2018, we saw security become a concern at a mid-market level and in 2019 it’s not slowing down. Companies are realizing that security is not simply an IT matter. InfoSec is a top issue for leaders. The reality is that if your company is breached or violates a privacy regulation (i.e. GDPR) you are at risk consequences such as major fines from the government and damage to your brand’s reputation. If you sit on a Board and security hasn’t been brought up, put it on the table for discussion at your next meeting. Ensure that security and privacy are being taken seriously.
Trend #5 – Increased Focus on Small Businesses
A lot of small businesses think they have nothing to worry about when it comes to being breached. But we know that no business is safe from an attacker’s crosshairs. While your small business may not be on the same scale as Target or Equifax, you are still holding sensitive, personally identifiable information. Cybercriminals have realized this fact and are more vigilant than ever. If you own a business or have any investment in a small business, sit down and talk to your team about what is happening in terms of security and start to make a plan.
Even if your business isn’t attacked, weak answers on a vendor security questionnaire can result in lost sales. The larger your customer, especially for enterprise-level businesses, the more likely they will have an intense assessment process for third-party vendors like you.
These Security Trends Will Impact Nearly Every Business
These are our five security trends to be on the lookout for this year. We’ve also noticed that with these security trends comes a noticeable slowdown in the sales cycle for many B2B companies that aren’t updating their security policies and procedures. We wrote a whole ebook about how a strong cybersecurity posture sets up efficiencies in your sales process. Let us know in the comments about other trends you’ve noticed.
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