5 Top Challenges That Will Dominate Cybersecurity In 2016

At the beginning of each year two things happen like clockwork: Security experts recap the most serious cybersecurity breaches from the past twelve months, and vendors publish predictions for the year ahead. Looking both ways helps organizations assess their readiness in a constantly evolving threat landscape.

While no one has all the answers, there is one that everyone agrees on. Responding and recovering is much more expensive than investing in appropriate security countermeasures before a new threat emerges.

This year will see continuing innovation in new cybersecurity strategies and solution capabilities, as well as innovative attack strategies.  As security vendors strive to develop rigorous solutions to push back more intelligent malware, more aggressive bad actors, and increasingly sophisticated threats, IT security must also address these five emerging threats in 2016 to protect their assets.

1. The Internet of Things (IoT) Will Expand Persistent Threat Potential

As the number of connected devices grows, the attack surface expands. Gartner predicts there will be more than 20 billion IoT devices within the next five years. Cybersecurity strategies in 2016 should include a closer look at ways to prepare for persistent worms and viruses with the potential to spread from device to device.

2. New Malware Will Target the Cloud and Virtual Machines

Adoption of cloud and virtualization technologies is gaining popularity for organizations of all sizes and shapes. The coming year will most likely see emerging malware designed to compromise the host system. Mobile applications are expected to present new challenges, i.e. remote attacks on virtual, hybrid and cloud-based systems and applications.

3. Blastware-Like Attacks Will Morph Into More Dangerous Threats

Ghostware attacks where infiltrators attempt to break inside, extricate assets and cover their tracks before detection will challenge security teams.  Strengthening security optimization protocols will become more important than ever to identify stealthy invaders that leave very few virtual footprints behind.

4. Fickle Code Will Challenge IT Security Teams

Where ghost attacks work undercover, there's another threat that hides in plain sight. So called “two-faced” malware acts as a benign snippet until it passes through the security sandbox; then morphs into malicious code once released.

5. The Barriers Between Private and Corporate Borders Will Blur

Savvy cybercriminals will look for vulnerabilities that enable access to corporate systems via personal devices. And, this will be the year that more exploits and malicious code is developed to target “trusted” channels such as Bluetooth and Zigbee.

Hackers are looking for ways to attack everything from private and public networks to cloud computing environments and hybrid systems. No place is safe in our continually changing landscape without forward-looking cybersecurity strategies and solutions that are aligned to a set of security controls relevant to the organization.  Looking at the past year gives experts opportunities to consider similar attacks going forward and determine the potential impact to their organizations.

DynTek works with partners to provide sophisticated security solutions to solve the challenges facing businesses in 2016.  IT technology backed by a DynTek team of skilled experts with expertise to thwart malicious attacks enables your organization to architect 21st century solutions to protect your assets from end-to-end.