Did you know that in 2021, roughly 281.5 million individuals have experienced some sort of data breach? According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), the number of reported data breaches in 2021 has already surpassed the total for 2020 by a shocking 17%. President and CEO of the ITRC Eva Velasquez said 2021 was just 238 breaches short of tying the all-time high of 1,529, which was set in 2017.
The ITRC also mentions that ransomware and phishing were the two most common methods of attack used by cybercriminals.
According to IBM's 2021 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a data breach among businesses surveyed in 2021 was $4.24 million dollars, the highest in 17 years. These staggering numbers show the need for more stringent cybersecurity protocols.
With cybersecurity incidents on the rise, it is more important than ever to know how you can protect yourself. In this blog, we will discuss some of the ways that cybersecurity is smartening up to help businesses be better prepared for cybersecurity threats.
1. Supercomputing
One of the most important ways cybersecurity is becoming smarter is through the use of supercomputers in large data centers maintained by cloud services and security providers. Supercomputers can detect cyberthreats faster than traditional computers, thanks to their advanced data storage and computing capabilities.
Supercomputers can process and analyze large volumes of data, allowing them to scan entire server facilities for abnormalities and suspicious activities. Experts hope that one day, supercomputers will be the solution against cyberthreats targeting businesses and national security.
2. Artificial intelligence
As cyberthreats continue to evolve in complexity and volume, artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in helping businesses stay one step ahead. Some benefits of AI integrated cybersecurity solutions are:
- Continuous learning
AI is designed to consume billions of security data to "understand" the nature of cyberthreats, how cyberattacks happen, why attacks happen, and how to adapt to the changing landscape of cybersecurity. - Faster threat detection
AI technology can study the relationship between cyberthreats like suspicious IP addresses, malicious files, and insider threats faster than traditional security software. This allows businesses to detect, isolate, and remove any threats in their network faster and more efficiently. - Eliminates time-consuming tasks
AI can provide accurate threat analysis and automate remediation processes, reducing the time needed by security analysts to make crucial decisions and contain threats.
3. Machine learning
Machine learning (ML) is being used with AI technology to further improve the performance of cybersecurity solutions. Just like AI, ML allows security systems to learn threat patterns using detailed logs of network, system, and user activities. This technology makes security systems more "self-sufficient" without the need for frequent human intervention.
4. Automation
A study shows that roughly 74% of security alerts and events are ignored because security analysts simply cannot keep up with the sheer volume of alerts they receive every day. By automating various security processes such as patch management, compliance, and company-wide security policies, security teams no longer have to manually address each security alert and event as they come in. Automation can help businesses reduce their incident response times, and keep them one step ahead of potential threats.
5. Internet of things
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is an emerging cybersecurity concept that hopes to be more effective than conventional security solutions. Since IoT devices are interconnected and linked to a central network, they are well-suited to alert security specialists about potential threats in the least amount of time. When properly integrated with an effective cyber defense system, IoT devices can give businesses enough time to prepare for or respond to a cyberattack.
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, posing a significant threat to businesses and individuals around the globe. If current cybersecurity solutions cannot keep up with this rapid evolution, helpless organizations and people can fall victim to a devastating cyberattack.
If you're looking to upgrade your company's cybersecurity posture, partner with a trusted managed IT services provider like Safebit Solutions. Our advanced threat-filtering systems and malware-detecting tools will keep your network safe from malicious attackers. Call us today to learn more.
