As we looking at the year ahead, we have questions… lots of questions. Here are some of the things we are concerned about.
Statistics — We hear how bad the situation is in security. Lots of jobs going unfilled. Cyber attacks on the increase. The cost of cybercrime approaching $25 trillion dollars. But is it that bad?
AI-Driven Cyber Attacks — As artificial intelligence advances, cybercriminals are expected to use it to craft highly sophisticated phishing scams, automate attacks, and develop malware that can rapidly evolve. Defenders will need AI-powered tools to detect and mitigate these threats in real time. Which way will the scales tip this year?
Quantum Computing Threats — Quantum computing could potentially break current encryption methods, leading to a surge in research into quantum-safe cryptography. Organizations are preparing for post-quantum cryptography to protect their data from future quantum-powered attacks. But quantum computers take an enormous amount of power to perform the expected tasks. Is it even physically possible to meet those expectations?

Zero Trust Expansion — Zero Trust security models are no longer a trend but an industry standard. But it has become so “buzzified” does it even have any meaning?
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities — Supply chain defense has been a major issue in industry with increasing complexity, targeting third-party vendors and cloud providers to compromise large organizations. Will governments finally deploy stricter regulations to secure critical infrastructures, or will cost-cutting open the floodgates of attack?.5G Security Challenges — Remember 5G? That used to be the technology du jour a few years back. Networks expanded and the increased connectivity and speed will open new vulnerabilities in IoT devices and networks. The telecom and manufacturing sectors will face significant security challenges due to the greater attack surface. Have security frameworks evolved to address these risks?
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) Evolution — Will ransomware-as-a-Service become even more sophisticated, enabling less-skilled cybercriminals to carry out complex attacks? Law enforcement made significant headway in shutting down the groups last year but will populist governments follow up with stricter laws around paying ransoms? Will organizations refocus on prevention rather than post-attack mitigation strategies?
Cybersecurity for Smart Cities — As cities adopt smart infrastructure, cybersecurity will become critical to protecting transportation, utilities, and municipal systems. The interconnectivity of these systems makes them highly vulnerable to large-scale cyberattacks. Will municipalities invest enough in cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and services?

Insider Threats — Insider threats are still a significant problem, driven by remote work, employee dissatisfaction, and increasingly complex organizational structures. Businesses need advanced monitoring and behavioral analysis tools to detect unusual activity from within. Employee training and awareness programs will become even more critical. But with investment in cyber slowing this past year, will it be enough?
Biometric Security: As passwords become increasingly inadequate for securing systems, biometric authentication grows in popularity. However, will biometric data itself become a target for hackers, leading to the need for stronger protections around how this sensitive information is stored and used? What are the challenges in balancing security with privacy concerns?

How you gonna power that? Digital technology is not the largest consumer of electrical power in the world… yet. But the world’s reliance on it for communication, supply chain maintenance, and security makes the availability of power on a constant basis a significant concern. Right now, the internet consumes 1-2 percent of all the power generated, but by 2030 that is expected to double, making it compete with heavy manufacturing for available sources. Where will we get the power from?
Lou Covey is the Chief Editor for Cyber Protection Magazine. In 50 years as a journalist he covered American politics, education, religious history, women’s fashion, music, marketing technology, renewable energy, semiconductors, avionics. He is currently focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He published a book on renewable energy policy in 2020 and is writing a second one on technology aptitude. He hosts the Crucial Tech podcast.