Emerging Cyber-Threats Present Big Challenges
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The Dangers Grow
Innovation and digital disruption introduce new risks. The complexity of the IT environment conceals the fragility of the underlying infrastructure. Complacency is widespread. -
Speed Matters
Increased connectivity speeds impact organizational response time. Enterprises must conduct resilience planning with suppliers and identify the risks associated with embedded devices. -
Crime Pays
Criminals are becoming more structured and sophisticated, thus increasing the need for organizations to prioritize and protect the highest value information and explore cyber-insurance. -
Dealing With Rejectionists
In response to socio-economic inequality, "tech rejectionists" will unleash greater chaos. Organizations must assess regions where they are likely to be targeted and review risk with critical suppliers. -
Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Poorly managed and maintained critical infrastructure increases risks. Organizations should update business continuity plans, conduct simulations and better understand clouds. -
Weaponization Takes Shape
Malicious agents will weaponize systemic vulnerabilities in software at individual companies, so it's crucial to review widely used technologies and suppliers, and update organizational response plans. -
Legacy Technology Crumbles
As digital connectivity grows, legacy technology will result in larger and more damaging incidents. Consequently, enterprises should review legacy systems and modern infrastructure. -
Murder Goes Digital
Disruption to digital systems will lead to verifiable human deaths, particularly in transport and medical services. Organizations must conduct more comprehensive risk assessments and revise policies and plans. -
Global Risks Grow
Global consolidation of IT makes bigger and more widespread attacks probable. Minimizing risks involves assessing the risks from dominant providers and broadening critical services and suppliers. -
Breaches Scale Up
The cost and scale of data breaches will increase dramatically, leading to more government involvement, as well as new legislation and regulations. Enterprises should review jurisdictional issues and risks and ensure that liabilities are clearly identified in supplier contracts.
Greater connectivity and more powerful digital technologies represent a double-edged sword for organizations across every sector. While they introduce remarkable opportunities, these technologies also create new and sometimes great risks. A recently released research report from the Information Security Forum (ISF), "Threat Horizon 2017: Dangers Accelerate," offers insights into the changing threat landscape and how organizations can manage this dynamic environment. The organization, a leading authority on cyber-threats and cyber-security, found that the dangers revolve around nine areas that represent big challenges for senior business and IT managers, information security professionals and other key organizational stakeholders. In fact, these emerging threats could reshape and reframe the business environment over the next few years. "The pace and scale of information security threats continues to accelerate," warns ISF Managing Director Steve Durbin. "The nine threats highlighted in the 'Threat Horizon 2017' report expose the imminent dangers that the ISF considers the most prominent. They have the capacity to transmit their impact through cyber-space at breakneck speeds, particularly as the use of the Internet spreads. Organizations that are informed and prepared for change will go a long way to securing their future."