In the ever-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity precautions must constantly adapt to suit the current dangers. From year to year, as new technologies become available, the most common threats to our digital security continue to change rapidly, forcing us to adjust accordingly. And with how quickly technology is advancing, being hypervigilant in your business’s cybersecurity is necessary to stay safe and protected. What dangers are on trend in the world of cybersecurity in 2022? Keep reading to find out our five noteworthy cybersecurity trends of 2022 and the security practices you can take to combat them.

1. Mobile device attacks

Nowadays, nearly everyone has a cellphone, many of them being smartphones. With the prevalence of these devices in modern society, it’s no wonder hackers have zeroed in and found ways to tailor their attacks to our phones, the devices we use day in and day out. Not only does mobile malware pose a threat to users, but email phishing and text smishing are major culprits for mobile security breaches. These tactics urge users to log into one of their accounts, therefore forfeiting personal information that could leave themselves at risk for issues such as fraud.

These mobile-focused hackers may also urge users to download apps that contain malware. This hazard may fly under the radar as these apps make their way to app stores people trust, leading them to believe they pose no threat to their phones. Many users might not consider that these accessible, easy to download apps can be controlled by harmful actors who use the applications to collect personal information.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware creates a coveted prize for hackers: money. This form of cyberattack is just like it sounds. Hackers infiltrate the system and either threaten to publish sensitive information or permanently withhold it from its rightful owners until the victim pays ransom. These attacks have been notoriously targeted towards public health institutions and government organizations, among others. Once the hackers have encrypted the data, the victims are left in an extremely vulnerable position, forced to comply in order to protect themselves from a breach.

Especially with the rise of cryptocurrency, hackers can receive money without a trace, allowing them to remain anonymous and evade any consequences for their crimes. Unfortunately, these attacks can cause serious issues for companies and organizations, harming them financially and affecting their information’s privacy. To combat the risk for ransomware attacks, companies should take measures against phishing and malware and consider protective options like multi-factor authentication and frequent backups.

3. Cloud at risk

Using a cloud for storing your files and data is considered a best practice. It offers seamless backup capabilities and allows you to restore lost data quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, cybercriminals can easily take advantage of cloud services’ ubiquity and exploit the large amounts of data stored on the cloud. Although many cloud services have ample security measures in place, not all of these services are made equally, meaning some of them may not be up to par in terms of authentication and encryption.

When you involve any third-party in your business’s affairs, especially a cloud service, you’re entrusting them with important data. Make sure you properly vet cloud options and find one with superior information security protocol before using their services. On your business’s end, ensuring the proper access restrictions are in place is also necessary for thorough security.

4. Artificial intelligence

Through artificial intelligence and machine learning, hackers are able to use cyber intelligence for nefarious purposes. This automated functionality empowers cybercriminals to orchestrate more sophisticated attacks with greater effectiveness. On the flipside, though, artificial intelligence can be used for good in order to combat cyber attacks. By using advanced algorithms, machine learning has the ability to respond to incoming strikes. This technology is able to anticipate threats in a way that decreases the need to be constantly vigilant, letting the machine itself do the work so your information technology department can focus their energy on other tasks.

5. Dangers of remote work

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, remote work has grown exponentially. As of 2021, just under 27% of American employees work remotely in some capacity. Although this is a wonderful option for many workers and has been facilitated by great technological advancements, it can pose a unique slew of cybersecurity risks. Work-from-home setups require heavy reliance on cloud services and potentially vulnerable, unprotected home wifi networks. These aspects can leave the door wide open for hackers to take advantage of these unsecured elements.

Remote work also increases the risk of insider threats, which are threats coming from within the organization. These problems can simply be the result of carelessness or lack of awareness when it comes to potential security issues. Employees need to learn the best ways to make their home office spaces more secure and safe to properly protect from the threats that they usually would not need to worry about when in the office with an IT team.

Strengthen your company’s cybersecurity

Keeping yourself and your company in the know about the latest trends in cybersecurity enables you to be at the top of your game when it comes to protecting your data. If you’re seeking services from experts to keep your information secure against even the most innovative of cyber threats, find out what GoodSuite can do for your business today. With a full security team and flexible security solutions, your data is in safe hands with GoodSuite.