2021 Cyber Threats Explained

2020 was challenging enough for IT professionals who were forced to establish remote networks and work-from-home scenarios with only a few days notice. But in the midst of it all, cyber-criminals propagated a rise in malware attacks and phishing scams, and already overloaded IT staff were forced to fend them off as well. The 2021 cyber threats landscape is likely to be similar, as no matter what the state of the world, cybercrime continues to increase.

Experts do see several trends they are warning about as we welcome the new year.

• Ransomware payouts increased in 2020, as companies took whatever measures were necessary to regain access to their data and critical systems. However, the Treasure Department recently warned tat these companies, already under seige, would face stiff fines if they negotiate payments with criminals from countries under U.S. sanction. This could mean that ransomware payments could become more secretive. Sadly, no one sees an end to the practice as criminals have become experts at monetizing their handiwork – and don’t seem interested in ceasing their lucrative behavior.
• The wall surrounding personal privacy was breached in 2020 as the pandemic reached into all sectors of society. Medical information, once considered sacred, private and personal is now being shared with restaurants, gyms and office workplaces. While laws exist to protect health-related data, they always applied to medical facilities and their partners. Businesses unfamiliar with handling sensitive health information are easy targets for criminals looking to capitalize on the confusion and new protocols. With a vaccine on the horizon, the implications of privacy and public safety become more complex by the day.
• While companies have done an adequate job in the past of training employees to spot phishing scams and other email attacks, the criminals have gotten too smart. Experts fear that the fake emails are now so sophisticated – appearing to come from a trusted source with no real way to identify it as a scam – that account takeover will become so prolific it will be almost impossible to stop. This may result in a complete erosion of trust in email at all, and force companies into different methods of communication.
• Botnet attacks may pose the single largest security threat moving into 2021. These attacks will likely target supply chain weaknesses exposed by the pandemic, while simultaneously exploiting consumer devices such as TVs, modems and smart lighting. Data stolen from consumer networks can be exported to help hack into the larger targets pr enterprise and government.
• Health-care data will continue to be vulnerable, according to experts watching the rise of customized healthcare. Custom plans and consumer demand will result in increased transparency and a streamlined FDA process. However, more data breaches involving consumer healthcare and insurance data are also expected in 2021.

The landscape will no doubt continue to evolve rapidly, with criminals finding new ways to breach networks, and white hats becoming ever more vigilant against these attacks. As your organization moves forward into 2021, it will be imperative that you have safeguards in place to protect you.

It is equally important to have personnel dedicated to protecting your data and networks from attack. If you do not have the expertise needed on your staff, you may wish to consider outsourcing to a managed services firm who can provide the attention and expertise you require. Don’t become a victim in 2021 – call Alliance IT today.