Posted by Cybersecurity Trends to watch out in 2021, according to Karmesh Gupta, CEO and Co-founder, WiJungle – a network security provider. 2020 has been a year of a tussle for every business sector and also a crucial one for cybersecurity.
The onset of pandemic resulted in an unprecedented shift in remote working models for organisations enforcing them to deploy virtual infrastructure in conducting business.
The shift due to the pandemic led lockdown disrupted businesses and even evolved the cybersecurity industry with the rapid surge in sophisticated cyberattacks.
In the last eight months, cybercriminals and hackers moved a step ahead with technological advancements. The hackers are using data like never before in human history. According to recent data, the number of data breaches has surprisingly grown in volume with a whopping number of 3950 cases in 2020 against 2103 cases recorded in 2019.
Additionally, the advancement and adoption of new-age technologies – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are also resulting in the evolution and growth of cyber threats.
Surprisingly, cybersecurity issues are more than just hacking incidents or money link frauds. It has also become a critical concern from national security’s point of view.
As everyone is gearing up for the new year, here are top Cybersecurity Trends to watch out in 2021 to navigate the post-pandemic world.
Cybersecurity Trends to watch out in 2021
Rise in Ransomware
The ransomware attacks are getting smarter and stronger. They are breaking all records in 2020 due to a paradigm shift to remote working models that have further pushed cybercriminals in taking the advantage of gaps in the IT systems.
According to the data revealed recently, there is an over 39% increase in ransomware attacks in the second quarter of FY’21. The daily average of ransomware attacks globally has jumped 50% in the second half of 2020. Being a highly profitable business for cybercriminals, companies will continue to face the amplified impact of ransomware in 2021.
High demand for human capital
Pertaining to a considerable surge in the number of cyberattacks in 2020, enterprises of all sizes – from small to large are bound to ramp up their IT security. This has eventually triggered the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals to manage and strategize it on a day-day basis.
Thus, 2021 will be a golden period for those who are willing to build their career in the cybersecurity domain. People involved in the business of cyber education, training or certification can play a very positive role and add tail wings to the aspirations of such individuals and eventually create a suitable workforce to fill the gap of shortage.
Transformation in security architecture
Due to the hybrid workplaces, the roles of CISOs have multi-fold. The architecture will witness a lot of transformation. 2021 will be a year of adoption of cloud-delivered security significantly and more number of local players will mark an entry in this space.
In parallel, the probable introduction of 5G by the end of 2021 could add an ample of opportunities and use cases, leading to the addition of new cybersecurity categories.
Comprehensive cybersecurity framework
When India is gearing up for the digitized economy, the need for drafting stringent policies and procedures for data protection becomes mandatory. The introduction of the pending Personal Data Protection Bill and long-awaited National Cybersecurity Strategy is very much expected to further strengthen the entire ecosystem in 2021, especially from National security perspective.
Rise in investment bet on local players
With the advancement of threat complexity, the need to invest in indigenous cybersecurity solutions becomes the necessity for the economy. Given the current heat, Cybersecurity, as an industry has been successful in harnessing the attention from venture capital firms in 2020 and many of them, are looking to drive their investments soon.
It is very much expected that a percentage of the funded local cybersecurity companies will shoot up substantially in the coming year.Consequently, it will make such companies potential enough to give cut-throat competition to foreign silos & increase their global prominence.
(This article is written by Karmesh Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder, WiJungle. The views expressed in this article are of the author.)