2024 enterprise cybersecurity forecasts

The following post is a paid partnership between Spectrum Enterprise and Chuck Brooks.

In 2024, cyberattacks against vital infrastructure will likely increase in frequency and scale. Digital connectivity brought forth by the advancement of operational technology (OT) and the Industrial Internet of Things has further expanded the attack surface. Supply chains for IT, OT, and ICS in CI can be particularly vulnerable since they can cross-pollinate and give attackers several points of access. Furthermore, earlier Legacy OT systems were not designed to fend off hackers.

Critical infrastructure may be a significant target of such OT/IT attacks. The knowledge of industrial control systems, how to get inside them, and how to employ malware that has been transformed into a weapon by hackers and nation-state adversaries has increased in the last few years. Weaponized malware presents a real and significant risk to critical infrastructure across many industries.

Protecting critical IT, OT, and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) from cyberattacks is a difficult challenge. In addition to having multiple operating systems, each of them also has unique access points, legacy systems, and developing technologies. The proliferation of interconnected devices that comprise the Internet of Things and the Internet of Industrial Things is challenging to keep up with. Hackers' surface areas across all digital infrastructures are shifting due to the growing number of networked sensors and trends in hardware and software integration. The technological potential to support the cybersecurity priority of safeguarding vital infrastructure is also promising. Cloud security, authentication, and biometrics are some of the more recent cybersecurity technologies that are strengthening infrastructures. 

Exponentially growing attack surface

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, 200 zettabytes of data will be stored globally by 2025. This includes data stored on personal PCs, IT infrastructures, private and public cloud data centers, and utility infrastructures. 

A multitude of factors have contributed to the Malthusian expansion of the global cyberattack surface. Two examples of these variables are the digital transformation and the commercial paradigm, which is that more individuals are conducting business online. We are still in the early stages of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will be defined by digital exchanges and the fusion of humans and machines. 

The digital attack surface has also grown dramatically as a result of the increasing use of remote work by many enterprises and organizations and the growing interconnection of PCs and smart devices that are being brought online from all over the world. Many enterprises' and organizations' entire IT perimeters are increasingly more complex and dispersed due to on-premises systems, cloud computing, and edge computing. This necessitates greater threat detection, analysis, and incident response as well as increased visibility.

Protecting such a vast attack surface is not easy, especially considering the variety of device types and security needs. It will only get more challenging in 2024 as connectivity grows.

Automation Using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Within emerging technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning is a fascinating and fiercely debated subset. In the context of AI, science fiction has become extinct. Companies are now developing technology that will make it possible for millions of computers and graphics processors all over the world to run artificial intelligence software. Natural language processing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can be used to tackle a wide range of business problems.  Artificial intelligence (AI) can understand, diagnose, and fix customer concerns without the need for specialized programming.

While AI and ML are valuable tools for organizations in many instances, there is a chance that they will have unexpected repercussions. Malicious hackers and adversarial governments are already using AI and MI as tools to find and exploit organizations’ cyber defenses. They use several strategies to make this happen. Their preferred techniques usually consist of self-modifying malware and automated phishing attempts that mimic real individuals in an attempt to deceive or even compromise cyber-defense systems and applications.

Artificial intelligence and machine intelligence will be used in the distribution of malicious malware to automate target selection, evaluate compromised environments before initiating subsequent stages of the attack, and evade detection. Malicious software can also be used to automate target selection, examine compromised environments before initiating subsequent stages of an attack, and avoid discovery through the use of artificial intelligence and machine intelligence.

To prevent these machine-driven hacker attacks, cybersecurity solutions must be routinely tested and updated. If testing and updated security solutions is outside the scope or skillset of your IT department, working with a managed service partner can be highly beneficial. 

Advances in the Internet of Things 

As it advances, the Internet of Things (IoT) will be the pinnacle of connectivity and susceptibility. Futures expert Bernard Marr projects that by the end of 2024, there will be over 207 billion gadgets linked to the global network of appliances, toys, tools, and other items that make up the Internet of Things (IoT).  

The approximate extent of IoT varies. How many sensors are utilized may depend on how the Internet of Things defines sensors. In any event, there will be a lot of connected devices soon, which will increase the attack surface and provide many opportunities for account penetration and cyber breaches.

Furthermore, Internet of Things (IoT) devices will continue to provide chief information officers (CISOs) with particular security challenges as well as highlight the vulnerabilities of both hardware and software networks as the number of devices connected to networks grows in a Malthusian way.  It is projected that by 2025, there will be billions of sensors connecting and interacting with these devices, over 30 billion IoT connections, and an average of over 4 IoT devices per person. IoT complexity raises the risk of cyberattack, and because of its lack of visibility, it can be challenging to determine whether a device has been infiltrated, giving hackers additional attack vectors.

To address vulnerabilities to OT/IT convergence and reduce hazards, critical infrastructure operators should implement a comprehensive risk framework, such as "security by design," "defense in depth," and "zero trust" to counter cyber-attacks. Establishing, implementing, and enforcing industry security protocols—particularly those related to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)—should be a collaborative effort between the public and commercial sectors. When the Internet was first developed, connectivity, not security, was its primary goal. Adhering to industry and governmental norms that are derived from lessons gained is necessary for protecting critical infrastructure.

Additional mitigation measures can be aided through the use of new technologies for network activity tracking, notification, and examination. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are examples of developing technologies that can help with predictive analytics and visibility.  Diversification and multiple sourcing for providers are advantageous as well in case of a breach. It helps to be organized and have backup plans in case of an emergency. But as with other cybersecurity issues, the answer is in people, cautious protocols, technologies, and risk factors that are regularly evaluated.

In 2024, cyber-awareness and understanding the threat landscape can help address many of the cybersecurity gaps and challenges. Emerging cybersecurity technologies, mitigation tools, and protocols can help limit the trend of breaches and exfiltration. Taking proactive measures to protect systems, networks, and devices, and be more resilient needs to be a mantra for 2024.