Three current cybersecurity trends to watch in 2022

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, and businesses need to stay on top of the latest threats if they want to protect themselves.

So, let’s look at some cybersecurity trends we’re seeing right now. From ransomware attacks, insider threats, and data breaches — learning more about the state of cybersecurity can help you stay safe.

Three cybersecurity trends to watch in 2022

We’re already halfway through the year, so what has 2022 taught us about cybersecurity today?

Ransomware attacks

Ransomware attacks have been rising in recent years, and they are only expected to become more common. The EU Agency for Cybersecurity estimates that there was a 150% increase in ransomware attacks between April 2020 and July 2021.

In a ransomware attack, criminals gain access to a company’s network and encrypt its data. The attackers then demand a ransom from the company to decrypt the data. These attacks can devastate businesses, causing them to lose access to important data and forcing them to pay expensive ransoms. Even after payment of a ransom there is no guarantee that the attacker will decrypt the encrypted data. To protect your business from this type of attack, make sure that you have a robust backup and recovery plan in place.

In December 2021, the workforce management software systems provider, Kronos, experienced a ransomware attack. According to reports, hackers stole personal information (including Social Security Numbers) of over 6,632 of Puma’s workers — one of Kronos’ customers. The hackers encrypted this data during the assault. No customer data was stolen. Unfortunately for Kronos, it took nearly two months to regain full access to its data.

Not long after Kronos regained access, Bridgestone, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, announced that its US subsidiary had fallen victim to an attack executed by ransomware-as-a-service provider, LockBit. The group claimed to have stolen confidential data from Bridgestone and threatened to release it publicly if a ransom wasn't paid.

LockBit is one of the most active ransomware types today, targeting large businesses (like Bridgestone and Accenture in 2021) and demanding up to tens of millions of dollars in ransom.

One of the best ways to protect your business from ransomware attacks is to use cybersecurity solutions. Samurai XDR/MDR can detect and prevent ransomware attacks in real-time. It also provides comprehensive threat intelligence and reporting to inform you about the latest threats.

The cyber skills shortage continues to worsen

Worldwide, businesses are struggling with a cybersecurity skills shortage. Clar Rosso, CEO of (ISC)², said, “With a global cybersecurity workforce gap of 2.7 million people, organizations must be creative with their cybersecurity hiring. But that doesn’t mean they have to take more hiring risks.”

This shortage puts organizations at a significant disadvantage when it comes to cybersecurity. Because businesses are more likely to struggle to find qualified cybersecurity personnel, they are leaving themselves open to cyber threats.

Businesses need to invest in training and education for their existing workforce to combat the cybersecurity skills shortage. And finding ways to attract and retain top talent should be on the top of your list.

The cloud is potentially vulnerable

The pandemic brought an increase in remote working — causing businesses to rely more heavily on cloud computing to support their daily operations.

However, the cloud comes with its own set of vulnerabilities. Keeping cloud platforms safe requires regular security monitoring and client-side software updates to avoid data breaches. Although cloud applications from companies like Google and Microsoft are well-protected server-side, the user-side is a different story. Chalk it up to human nature and human error, but average users will always be targets for malicious software and phishing attempts. Plus, a lack of knowledge about cybersecurity best practices makes cloud computing more vulnerable than ever.

The vulnerabilities of the cloud, coupled with the shortage of skilled cybersecurity experts, creates a perfect storm for cybercriminals. Businesses must be proactive in their cybersecurity efforts to protect themselves from attacks.

What can businesses do?

Businesses need to be aware of the latest cybersecurity threats and invest in cybersecurity solutions to protect themselves online. Here are a few suggestions to keep your business and data safe.

Keep training employees on best practices

Regular cybersecurity training and reviews are a great way to keep employees up-to-date. And be sure to provide teams with the best cybersecurity tools and software to help them stay safe online — and keep your business safe in the process.

Use technology to fight cyber threats

Give AI cybersecurity a try. Thanks to modern technology, AI can help companies identify and respond to cybersecurity threats faster than ever.

Keep an eye on your endpoints

This tip is especially important. Protecting the endpoints of your network — like employee laptops — helps you keep bad actors out of the rest of your network. Think of endpoint security as a lock on the door to your network — the more robust your lock, the safer you’ll be.

You can read more about endpoint security in our recent blog post.

Work with a trusted cybersecurity expert

Samurai XDR and MDR can help protect your business from ransomware attacks and other growing cybersecurity threats. Our advanced technology provides comprehensive threat intelligence and reporting that keeps you informed about the latest threats.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you secure your business.