Lately, the world has seen the topic of cybersecurity and cyber threats shift from the IT industry to the boardroom department. The number of attacks has increased, just like the potential regulatory penalties and consequences regarding lost consumer trust. Therefore, cybersecurity tools and effective practices have become a top priority at every organisational level.

More often than not, cybersecurity is regarded as an eternal struggle between criminals, hackers, and security experts, which is constantly rising due to technological advances. This is the business' "glamorous" side that's sometimes depicted in movies and TV shows. And yes, threats sometimes come from tech-savvy criminal masterminds or hostile foreign states. But in reality, these are likely to occur due to poorly protected networks that leave critical data accidentally exposed or indiscreet, ignorant employees who don't work with data accordingly.                         

According to a government survey, the United Kingdom has many cybercrime victims, with 39% of businesses identifying a cyber-attack this year. If you want your business to run smoothly and not stress about cybersecurity threats, keep reading to find out more about the cybersecurity trends of 2023.                                   

Artificial intelligence (AI)

As the number of attempted cyberattacks has increased significantly, cybersecurity specialists have found it increasingly difficult to respond to all of them and envision where the most hazardous attacks will take place. This is where artificial intelligence comes into play.

Machine learning algorithms can analyse large amounts of data in real-time more effectively than people. According to IBM, businesses that use automation and AI to detect and address data breaches save approximately $3 million compared to those that don't.  

Unfortunately, as AI becomes more widely available, hackers and criminals are becoming more competent at exploiting it as well. 

There are literally millions of networks and computers linked to the internet. AI algorithms are used to detect systems lacking strong security that are likely to store important data. AI may also be used to generate phishing emails intended to trick recipients into disclosing crucial information. After all, it is the tool that's been used to artificially "clone" senior executives' voices to authorise transactions fraudulently.                                     

A culture focused on security 

Only 54% of UK businesses take steps to identify cyber risks each year, according to a government survey for 2022. However, last year, the number was down 2 percent. The number should be higher in order for the number of data breach claims to be lower.

The cybersecurity skills shortage poses risks, according to Lumify Learn . As the topic is more debated, organisations should prioritise hiring and retaining cyber specialists and using cybersecurity practices. Did you know that if a company is responsible for storing and securing data and breaks its duty of care, it can be held liable for its poor management? For this reason alone, companies should treat malware detection as being a priority in their cyber-protection arsenal, as this type of file or code can enable an attacker to infect and steal information from a network almost at will.

According to the ICO, a personal data breach is a security incident resulting from accidental or unlawful disclosure, loss, alteration, or access to personal data. If this mishap resulted in an individual's financial loss or emotional damage, and if evidence can prove it, the victim may win the claim. Many reach out to No Win No Fee data breach solicitors to help them through the process and increase their chances for reimbursement. 

The more informed people get about the consequences of data breaches, the stronger the security-focused culture will be. 

Deep fakes

Deep fakes can dominate the 2023 elections. They're the most prominent form of "synthetic media". They can take the form of video, image, sound, and so on, appearing to be made through traditional means but having been designed or modified by complex software. Deepfakes have been around for a while now; however, they were not as widespread as they are today, and not everyone would know how to create them.

One of the most common applications has been the transplantation of celebrities' heads onto other people's bodies, such as pornographic actors, with the ability to make convincing footage of anyone doing anything, anywhere.

If they're allowed to continue in the absence of relevant, necessary laws, there's a significant risk of loss of privacy, abuse, and mental distress.           

To recognise a deceptive piece of content, you should pay attention to aspects like the following:

• Size and colour of the lips

• Facial hair or lack of hair 

• Facial moles

• Blinking

• Glasses

• Sideburns, etc.

Cloud security and IoT

The more devices the world connects, the more potential windows and doors exist for attackers to enter and access sensitive data. IoT (Internet of Things) devices, ranging from home appliances to industrial machinery, smart wearables, building alarm systems and cars, have proven to be a source of frustration for those in charge of cybersecurity. This burden-like feeling is a consequence of the fact that manufacturers, as they're not used to being directly responsible for sensitive information, haven't always been focused on securing data with programs, updates, and training staff.

This aspect has lately changed since it's been shown that attackers still find ways to crack the code and methods to access other networked devices even when manufacturers are not in charge of data. Today, for instance, it's hard to find a device shipped with a PIN or default password that doesn't require you to change it and set your own passcode. However, this hasn't always been the case with outdated devices. 

In 2023, some governmental initiatives should come into effect to strengthen devices' security, networks, and cloud systems, including a labelling system for IoT devices. Now that 5G is here, many threats may arise, increasing the need for sophisticatedly built 5G hardware and software. 

All in all, cybersecurity trends come and go, and it’s only a matter of time until new ones appear. These show the world that cybersecurity should be taken into consideration by both business owners and employees managing sensitive data. Fortunately, online training programs, like Lumify Learn IT courses and cybersecurity training, are readily available online nowadays. Finding one that suits your company's needs should not be a challenge.