2020 saw many people shift to the digital space. The Corona pandemic came with its challenges, including the need for social distancing.
Businesses found it necessary to shift to the online space to survive. Customers increased uptake of e-commerce platforms. Unfortunately, cybercriminals were also among those who became more active.
A report by Deloitte shows an increase in malspam, phishing and ransomware attacks. Investing in the right security is no longer a choice.  individuals and businesses need to be safe online. it requires an investment in the best security measures. Our article will look at the latest trends and web security in 2021.
Web Security Trends In 2021
Online security starts with you as an individual. You must be more aware of what you do in the online space. Check the sites you visit and avoid the use of public Wi-Fi. Ensure enough security measures. Installing an SSL proxy, for instance, gives you anonymity by hiding your IP address. It also provides data encryption so that hackers cannot access it.
So what are the security trends to look out for in 2021?
1.  Patch Management in C-Suite Applications
A 2019 report shows a 60% breach through unpatched vulnerabilities. Hackers look for such loopholes to create entry points into weak systems. Discussions around patch management in C-suite are becoming more critical.
Patch management involves a series of continuous steps. You identify, prioritize, remediate and report on any vulnerabilities. Companies will have to invest in relevant security measures to reduce such risks. Such includes the creation of specific programs that standard ice patch management.
It allows for predictability and repeatable processes. It makes everything more cost and time-efficient.
2.   Cloud May Not Be As Safe As You Think
One attraction of cloud services is the safety aspect. Many companies are taking advantage of the potential. So, there is a need for better security.
The challenge for most companies that had to migrate to digital in 2020 was to get systems up and running. It was important for employees to keep working from home.
But, most companies could not handle the extra security measures they needed. Companies will have to go back to the drawing board. It will start with an assessment and analysis of the existing structures.
The next step will be to put in place tight security measures. You can expect growth in desktop virtualization, Enterprise VPN, and multi-factor authentication.
Other solutions include endpoint detection and cloud access security solutions. Security and software companies must provide risk-based solutions. Security automation will become an integral part of software deployment.
3.  Higher Investment in Staff Education and Training on Security
A 2020 investigation on data breach shared some scary information. Up to 30% of breaches were due to internal actors.  The reasons range from malice, lack of awareness, or staff incompetence.
Security will no longer be a concern for the business owner or management only. Even the employees will have to take an active role. Companies will invest in awareness creation through education and training opportunities.
Teams must equip themselves with the latest security skills. You need such skills to deal with emerging vulnerabilities.
4.  The Ransomware Monster Will Get Bigger
The pandemic exposed a lot of vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals made a killing, especially with ransomware. Healthcare organizations, schools, and businesses were open to such attacks. Many paid up because they could not afford to be offline for an extended period of time.
Average Ransom fees were as high as $111,605 within the first quarter of 2020. Without a doubt, such figures could be crippling for a small business. Unfortunately, the hackers are not slowing down. They are making their encryptions harder to crack. Companies will have to invest in mitigation measures to survive.
5.  Automation; the Good and the Bad
Technology is fantastic for improving efficiency. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT are examples. But, they open another entry point for cyber-criminals. They can use the same to escalate attacks by weaponizing such.
The use of AI to enhance phishing or Deepfakes, for instance, are emerging threats. We can expect a frontline defense by businesses with the use of emerging solutions. CART or continuous automated red-teaming can help with such attacks.
DevOps will use AI to build a more secure defense infrastructure.
6.  A Keen Focus on Mobile Threats
Mobile threats have become very real. Hackers have developed spyware to snoop on apps. There is a need for better security targeting mobile devices. Corporates can no longer allow unsecured outbound communication.
Some are embracing Azure AD or modern cloud-enabled technology. It is a departure from the previous use of on-premise legacy architecture or AD. Even the adoption of 5G technology will come with its vulnerabilities.
Patching such and ensuring proper protocol rollouts will take center stage.
7.   Tech Stacks and Security Strategies Reassessment
Companies will have to take a more in-depth look at security preparedness. They must keep up with the sophistication cybercriminals are showing. Endpoint security to protect home workers will take center stage.
Digital transformation processes are also receiving quite a bit of attention. Migrating to the cloud platform, for example, has become a need. The adoption of specific technologies can help cope with some of the changes.
A securities trust report highlights critical priority areas. Such include cloud data protection and application monitoring. Others are cloud-based cybersecurity and access control.
8.  Zero Trust May Be the Way to Go
As the name suggests, Zero Trust means, well, you trust nothing. It does not matter whether it is from internal or external sources. Everything must undergo verification before allowing access. No matter what security measures are in place, you still get the best results with Zero Trust. It is especially useful because you do not assume what is inside the organization is safe.
As we have stated, a significant percentage of data breach comes from the inside. Once a hacker gets access, stopping them can be costly and very challenging. Decentralizing data centers is also important.
A company cannot afford to have all its data in one place. Off-premise storage like the cloud is crucial.
Final Thoughts
Anyone operating in the digital space is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. It helps to be aware of the latest security trends. We have highlighted a few above. Assess the security systems you have in place and make the necessary changes.
