Data security and privacy are the backbone of a business’ cybersecurity infrastructure. With vast data and increased reliance on digitized systems, data security should be a top priority for CISOs in 2024.
Last year, the impact of many Gen AI use cases rippled the cybersecurity landscape. While firms used it to prevent attacks and safeguard the data, it also became a major cybersecurity concern. As CISOs begin planning their security strategies for 2024, they must be aware of the data security trends that will help secure data effectively.
Here are the top data security trends to look for in 2024.
Increased Adoption of Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
The ZTA has gained traction over the years due to its concept: never trust, always verify. This means it focuses on identity verification and continuous monitoring to ensure security.
In 2024, ZTA will continue to gain popularity as it offers protection against insider threats, external breaches, and lateral movement within the network. This way, CISOs can fortify their security posture and minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
Rise in Insider Threats
While external threats continue to dominate, insider threats are a growing concern. Insiders intentionally or unintentionally misuse their access or create security threats through ignorance or carelessness.
In 2024, CISOs must focus on enhancing the monitoring and detection capabilities to determine insider threats promptly. Conduct employee training and awareness programs to help strike a balance between trust and vigilance.
Moreover, implement Identity and access management (IAM) for managing user identities, authentication, and access permissions. This ensures that the right users and devices can access the data at the right time.
Also Read: Five Data Security Controls Every Business Must Have
The New Era of Technology: IoT with 5G Network and Connected Risks
The interconnected nature of IoT devices creates numerous entry points for cybercriminals. Therefore, ensuring these devices are secure is challenging, and undetected vulnerabilities can lead to data breaches and privacy infringements.
Comparatively, 5G architecture is still growing. Firms must work cohesively to find security loopholes to protect the system from external attacks. Many attacks that firms might not be aware of can attack any aspect of the 5G network.
With such levels of interconnectivity, there is always an increased risk of attacks and data theft. Even Chrome, one of the most used browsers supported by Google, was found to have a lot of serious bugs.
In 2024, firms must ensure that the development of 5G software is done with security in mind. The emphasis will continue to be on enhancing the security of IoT devices and the networks they connect to.
Firms will Continue to Integrate AI and ML
As AI is being introduced to all market segments, its usage has become a data security trend. AI and ML enable firms to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and detect anomalies. It is a game-changer in threat detection and prevention. But, hackers are using it to develop malware and carry out sophisticated cyberattacks.
In 2024, firms will continue integrating AI and ML into their cybersecurity solutions. This will enhance the efficiency of security systems and enable predictive analysis. CISOs will be able to harness the power of AI and ML better to stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is becoming the standard for securing accounts and data as it adds an extra layer of security. This additional layer of security enhances the cybersecurity posture as attackers must have access to multiple pieces of information to gain access.
In 2024, MFA will continue to be a non-negotiable security measure. Implementing MFA will help minimize the risks of unauthorized access, and the time taken to detect and respond to threats will be significantly reduced.
Evolving Ransomware and Deepfake Threats
Ransomware has been a persistent threat, and hackers constantly refine their tactics to maximize profits. In 2024, ransomware attacks will become even more sophisticated, targeting users and businesses alike.
CISOs must fight ransomware attacks by having a robust backup and recovery strategy. They must educate the employees on the dangers of phishing and the need for adequate security measures.
It is also essential to have systems that will help backup the data in cases of cyberattacks. Combating ransomware will continue to be a top priority in cybersecurity in 2024.
Deepfake, which involves manipulating audio and video to create fabricated content, is a rising threat. Hackers can use Deepfakes for social engineering attacks, impersonating people, and spreading disinformation.
With the growing threat of deepfake, firms must invest in deepfake detection tools and strategies to secure their reputation and ensure data integrity. In 2024, education and awareness are the key factors in countering this emerging threat.
Increased use AND risk of GenAI in Security solutions
As in all enterprise processes, AI and hence GenAI is playing an increasing role – both ways.
In the coming year, it will be up to CISOs to push the capabilities of GenAI to protect data. They will need to surpass the use of GenAI for attacks.
Says Lucas Moody, Chief Security Officer at Alteryx, “Powerful enterprise use cases for Generative AI are still being discovered, but so too are how it may open doors to new security threats or data privacy issues. No one wants to be responsible for accidentally adding sensitive or PII data into ChatGPT, that can potentially be served to other ChatGPT users. Ensuring data used to train models is always stored in a private environment and can be overseen by a security team’s own governance framework to avoid falling foul of data privacy laws.”
The answer lies in robust policies, more stringent compliance regulations, and finally, awareness. “Robust data governance policies are critical to building confidence in AI,” he adds, citing Alteryx report AI: To Generate or Not to Generate? Research Reveals the Divide, which says that as 47% of data leaders cite data privacy as the reason they’re not currently using the tech.
“In securely building private LLMs and assuring the data fed into underlying models, security teams have their own role to play in upholding good data governance and, ultimately, build internal trust in AI,” he signs off.
Conclusion
The cybersecurity landscape in 2024 includes a combination of tech advancements and evolving threats. Firms can navigate the digital landscape safely and securely by embracing these trends and implementing robust security policies, compliances and measures.
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