In the past few years, we have witnessed the numerous calamities that have befallen the online cyberspace. Cybercriminals have shown what they are capable of, from orchestrating identity theft on social media to infiltrating companies and holding their data for ransom. In contrast, cybersecurity measures have not managed to catch up in this catch and mouse game, and it is fair to assume that no one’s data is ever safe.
In fact, due to the discrete aspects of cybercrime, it might even be viable to assume that most if not all of our data has been compromised and even sold. Although authentication credentials can be updated and secured, recovering sensitive data such as images, email addresses, social security numbers, and confidential records, might be a lost cause. You would have a better chance of recovering a coin tossed into the ocean.
The only way to move forward is to cut our losses and make efforts to secure a safer future. The best way to ensure our online data privacy is to take every precaution possible, keeping in mind the current cyber climate and predicting future conditions. Here are 4 of the top predicted cybersecurity trends in 2020 and beyond.
1. Accountability for Cybercrime
When companies like Facebook, with petabytes of user data worldwide, are reported to have ‘leaked’ sensitive data, state and federal laws come eventually into play. The more data-breaches and information scandals occur, the harder the authorities work to hold those responsible for the leaks accountable.
The Federal Trade Commission even approved a $5 billion fine on Facebook, signaling legislators’ aggressive and ambitious stance towards significant data mishandling. It should reassure people that the cybercrime situation is bound to improve as more people become aware of data privacy issues.
2. Video Deep-Fakes Powered by AI
Although photo-shopped imagery is easy to dissect and identify, AI has made that scarily difficult. Current AI-based software can seamlessly blending faces into bodies, which, frame by frame, makes fake videos look incredibly real.
The socio-political ramifications of realistic yet fake imagery bring forth a series of massive concerns regarding authenticity.
3. The Threat of IoT Devices
Internet of Things (IoT) devices have promised convenience when integrated as complete ecosystems in houses. However, it all comes at a price. These devices are weakly protected, soak in heaps of sensitive data without consent, and prone to using data algorithms to track users further.
Although specific bugs can get fixed, the security concerns are only bound to increase, given the interconnected and networked nature of the IoT services and the growth of internet technologies.
4. State-Sponsored Cyber-Crime
Online Cyberspace is a lawless land. Anything goes when it comes to cyber-crime, and that especially applies to state-backed cyber-warfare. Nations act on all fronts, and the digital dimension is no exception.
These are concerns based on factual incidents of state-backed cybercrime, such as China stealing US intellectual property, North Korea hacking Sony, and Russia influencing the 2016 US presidential elections. With the development of internet technology, the growing concerns of being caught in these digital battles’ crossfire should be entertained.
