The future of security – an emerging mix of challenges

However it’s not just data volume that companies need to think about. An emerging mix of challenges is also key to consider when deciding how to design systems:

The human risk

People are often the weak link in the security chain. Biometrics in particular will mitigate human risks, such as leaving physical documents on public transport, losing devices or forgetting passwords

IoT and edge device security

In a world where everything is connected, the risk of data breaches increases exponentially. Companies need to ensure that edge devices such office wearables and fridges, don’t provide a way into their systems.  

Agile working

In a world where employees want to work flexibly, autonomously and collaboratively, network security needs to be strong, unobtrusive and seamless. Workers see multi-phase logins as a blocker to productivity and now expect everything to be immediately accessible. Again, biometrics will underpin the safe empowerment of staff.

Personal data and compliance

Across Europe, citizens are becoming increasingly protective of their personal data and aware of their ‘right to be forgotten’. As such, GDPR will not be the last piece of legislation to demand complex compliance. Companies will have to gear their systems and processes to adhere to these government level initiatives or face hefty fines.

Looking ahead – the critical developments in cybersecurity

In the coming years, pipeline and horizon developments will have huge implications for, and a great bearing on, the evolution of security.  

Cloud migration

Once seen as a document backup service, cloud technology is becoming prevalent as a primary business enabler. The security protections offered by the cloud are designed with leading security expertise. Physical separation, a reduction in vulnerabilities, improved resiliency and constant updates will all further help to boost server security credentials.

Continuous security monitoring

Security protection that’s on the offensive will be deployed to trawl through systems looking for threats. This emerging technology enables organisations to stay one step ahead of cyber threats and will also provide real-time visibility of usage, by device.

Blockchain

Simply described, blockchain is incredibly detailed list information – but it offers so much potential to improve the world. By building an incredibly detailed picture of supply chains it will close the net on dubious and criminal activity everywhere, even undoing the protections of corrupt regimes. Its use in fintech will also bring about financial traceability – bringing an end to murky transactions. As such, blockchain promises to reshape data security and banking protocols.

Cognitive cybersecurity 

A potential downside of big data is its attractiveness to cybercriminals. However, on the flipside it also guides the fight against them. Big data leaves a trail making it far simpler for security analysts, architects and indeed ubiquitous learning programmes to predict attacks and identify perpetrators before they act.