Cybersecurity in 2019: What to expect

The world saw a lot of stirrings on the cybersecurity front this past year, everything from the EU passing their General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with international implications, to Russian hacking and voter tampering, to data breaches galore. With 2018 rapidly coming to a close and 2019 right around the corner, all of us at Secure360 are anxiously awaiting what’s to come. Here are a few of our predictions for what to expect in the cybersecurity world in 2019.

1. Cybercrime rates are going to increase… a lot

43% of businesses fell victim to a data breach in 2018, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey. McAfee’s Economic Impact of Cyber Crime report released in February of this year reported that more than 780,000 records were lost per day in 2017. Incidences of cyber crime, ransomware, cyber espionage, and malware dissemination are going to be more prevalent than ever before in 2019.

2. Two-factor authentication won’t be “extra” anymore

Generally, there are minimum security requirements surrounding password creation, like capital and lowercase letters, special characters, or number combinations. However, people are still using passwords like “password.” As these still aren’t the premium for data protection, two-factor authentication has come into play to ensure a higher level of security. Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that uses another piece of information to verify identity. Up until now, two-factor authentication has been an extra accessory for those who truly seek it out but isn’t often required. Our prediction is that using multiple forms of identification in order to obtain gated online access will be a requirement across websites, networks, and more (especially those pertaining to online banking and other sensitive information).

3. We’ll see what GDPR really means for all of us

In May 2018, the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation, which put privacy back into the hands of consumers. These regulations required organizations and businesses to have explicit permission to communicate with their previously-used contact lists or be punished by the full force of the law. For most businesses, this requirement was fulfilled by sending an email directly asking consumers if they wanted to receive any further communication from them. GDPR was a hot topic and then it wasn’t. People made the changes they needed to and moved on. In 2019, the world should see the first breach of GDPR, and how those consequences will play out. 

4. Cybersecurity will become a household topic

Gone are the days where the only people that discussed (or really, cared about at all) IT security were threat hunters and security firms. Cybersecurity and staying safe online is going to be a concern that everyone (yes, everyone) needs to prioritize in their daily life. If you aren’t sure what your data protection looks like at your office, ask someone who can tell you. If something seems out of the ordinary: speak up! On the home front, be aware of the security of certain household and personal devices and be sure to educate your kids about the importance of staying safe online.

 

Here’s some good news amidst these dark predictions for the cybersecurity-scape of 2019: there are still the good guys fighting on the right side of your favorite networks. Want proof? Attend Secure360 Twin Cities on May 14 and 15, 2019 to learn first-hand what is being done to prevent cyberattacks in the year to come. And, students, we’ve got something planned for you, too.