2020 has been an outlier in countless categories, including cyber threat trends. The year has taught us many things the hard way, including the importance of preparing for known threats. In the span of a few weeks, our economy, education systems, and lifestyles were altered by a scenario that experts had long been warning about. Yet, as we all adjusted to the new realities of the pandemic, the world kept turning. Technology continued to advance. Markets continued to grow. Cyber threats continued to evolve.
Much of that evolution is related, at least somewhat, to the pandemic. From ransomware operators refining and polishing their business models, to the rapid adoption of cloud as organizations seek to gain operational efficiencies, threat actors are evolving and attack surfaces are expanding. In this time of change and adaptation, our Cyber Threat Trends Outlook explores what we know about upcoming cybersecurity challenges, and provides guidance on how to prepare for them.
The report covers 8 key cyber threat trends we anticipate for 2021:
- Next-Generation Extortion and Evolution in Malware Business Models
- Supply Chain Attacks via Cloud-Hosted Development Environments
- AI, Evasion, and Theft
- Parcel and Shipping as Critical Infrastructure
- Mandated Contact Tracing Apps May Open Doors for Large-Scale Cyber Attacks
- Cybercriminals Will Likely Capitalize on Rapid U.S. Telehealth Adoption
- 5G to Expand the Attack Surface for Industrial IOT
- 5G to Increase Security Pressure on Mobile Hotspots