Cybersecurity Transformation in 2023: The Biggest Threats and How Cybersecurity Teams Can Prepare

Across the globe, 2022 was one of the most challenging years for cybersecurity teams. This is due in part to the rapid development and adoption of new enterprise technologies within organizations, which introduce new exposures to vulnerabilities. “Recent global events have shown that innovation is essential for enterprises to survive and flourish,” says Gartner. “But accelerating digital innovation brings new complexity and risk,” especially as cyberthreats become more innovative themselves.

 

There are more challenges to which cybersecurity professionals must respond or adapt as a result. For example, cybersecurity teams face burnout and cultural barriers to widespread protection within their organizations. New challenges associated with space-based internet, IoT technologies, and edge computing are emerging as well.

 

Fortunately, just as attackers are putting pressure on cybersecurity teams to become more agile, adaptable, and sophisticated in their defenses, providers and technologists are developing new ways for those teams to respond. In this article, we explore the biggest challenge cybersecurity leaders and teams will face in 2023, as well as the solutions and strategies that will help them keep ahead.

 

Cybersecurity Teams Faced Growing Threats in 2022

 

The 2022 cybersecurity threat landscape was marked by the emergence of newer, more sophisticated threats. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly adept at using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to automate their activities, enabling them to carry out malicious campaigns with greater speed and accuracy.

 

For example, attackers used AI-driven techniques such as machine learning to target vulnerable endpoints, carry out credential-stuffing attacks, and access sensitive data. At the same time, cybersecurity teams have had to become more agile and adaptive when it comes to protecting their networks from these threats.

 

Fortunately, cutting-edge cybersecurity has evolved to match the sophistication of cyber threats. This includes more advanced forms of cybersecurity such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cybersecurity analytics, and identity and access management. AI-powered cybersecurity solutions have been deployed to detect and respond to threats faster than ever before and automation tools are being used for security operations.

 

However, many of these new capabilities are not accessible or cost-effective for in-house cybersecurity teams. Also, internal employees outside of cybersecurity departments often lack appreciation and awareness of cybersecurity threats and how their activities can inadvertently expose the enterprise to risk.

 

Taking Steps to Prepare

 

As Forrester describes, “2023 will favor those who prioritize internal security and risk cultural practices as the primary vehicle to deal with those external forces.” For cybersecurity leaders, this will require introducing a new mindset to cybersecurity strategies: broadening risk awareness, understanding the role of compliance and regulation in cybersecurity, investing in cybersecurity training for employees, and using automation to simplify processes.

 

Each of these efforts will be unique to the industries in which they are applied. For example:

 

• Healthcare Cyber Security. Healthcare cybersecurity teams can invest in cybersecurity training programs for their staff, emphasizing the importance of secure data and privacy-related requirements as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 
• Banking Cyber Security. Bank cybersecurity teams can focus on security operations automation to help them quickly detect and respond to threats. This could include incorporating AI-powered cybersecurity solutions such as cybersecurity analytics, identity and access management, and machine learning-based cybersecurity monitoring. 
• Aerospace Cyber Security. Aerospace cybersecurity teams can invest in cybersecurity automation tools and platforms to help them manage data access and secure their sensitive systems and networks. This could include cybersecurity solutions such as cybersecurity analytics, identity and access management, and intelligent automation.

 

In time, cybersecurity teams can shift from a reactive approach to a proactive one, deploying advanced cybersecurity capabilities that can detect threats before they even happen. A cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) model could be the answer, as it allows organizations to access cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies and capabilities without having to invest in their own infrastructure and personnel.

 

The Top Five Cybersecurity Trends in 2023

 

As cybersecurity experts consider the best steps to protect organizations from threats in 2023, they should consider how some of the latest developments in strategies, technologies, and capabilities will impact their organizations for years to come. Here we explore five major cybersecurity trends in 2023 that will shape the cybersecurity landscape in the long term.

 

Space-based internet connections will introduce new types of cybersecurity threats.

 

In 2022, attackers demonstrated how space-based internet connections can be hijacked for disruptions to military operations. “This year has seen jamming, GPS spoofing, and other cyberattacks launched against ViaSat and Starlink internet services in Ukraine—attacks that have coincided with Russia’s invasion of the country,” ZDNET reported in a December 2022 article. This risk will likely increase in 2023 as more satellite-based internet connections are launched.

 

To prepare, cybersecurity leaders will need to incorporate cybersecurity protocols into their existing network architecture and consider investing in cybersecurity solutions that are designed specifically for satellite-based networks. Additionally, cybersecurity professionals may consider taking a cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) approach to access cybersecurity resources more quickly and easily.

 

Data streams from edge and IoT technologies will become targets for new cyberattacks.

 

“In 2023… there will be 43 billion IoT-connected devices in the world,” Forbes reports. Connected devices—from smartphones to heavy-duty machinery—are generating large amounts of data, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Edge computing infrastructure creates similar concerns.

 

Cybersecurity leaders facing these unique risks will need to prioritize data security and invest in cybersecurity solutions that focus on securing data streams from IoT and edge devices. Additionally, cybersecurity leaders should consider taking a multi-tiered cybersecurity approach that involves deploying security measures at multiple points in a network, such as the edge and cloud.

 

Cyber insurance will grow more common and sophisticated.

 

In their October 2022 article, Forrester predicts “insurers to move aggressively into cybersecurity by acquiring more [managed detection and response (MDR)] providers in 2023,” continuing a 2022 trend. Cybersecurity leaders should look for cyber insurance policies that will protect their organizations from losses related to cybersecurity threats, including legal costs and third-party damages. Cybersecurity leaders also should consider investing in cybersecurity solutions that offer stronger protection and detection capabilities to help them qualify for more comprehensive, cost-effective policies.

 

Burnout among cybersecurity teams will become a globally-recognized problem.

 

“A 2022 study found that 66% of security team members experience significant stress at work, and 64% have had work stress impact their mental health,” Forrester reports in their November 2022 article. Indeed, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand and often asked to do more with fewer resources, resulting in burnout. In the year ahead, cybersecurity leaders should prioritize cybersecurity culture and provide cybersecurity teams with the support they need to protect their organizations from threats. This includes implementing flexible working arrangements, providing cybersecurity education and training, and offering cybersecurity teams the resources they need to handle cybersecurity threats.

 

Companies will increasingly rely on dedicated Cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) providers for technologies and capabilities that keep them ahead of evolving threats.

 

Cybersecurity leaders at companies ranging from SMBs to global enterprises will look to cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) providers for solutions that can guard against the latest threats. CSaaS solutions can provide cybersecurity teams with the necessary tools and capabilities to respond quickly and effectively to cybersecurity threats, such as managed detection and response (MDR), security orchestration, automation and response, and cybersecurity intelligence. Cybersecurity leaders should consider partnering with CSaaS providers to access the latest AI driven solutions, where “companies that use AI and automation to detect and respond to data breaches save an average of $3 million compared to those that don’t,” Forbes reports.

 

Cybersecurity Teams Must Down the Old Threats, as Well as the New

 

2023 will bring cybersecurity risks of all kinds, from sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks to burnout among cybersecurity teams. But rather than replacing traditional threats, these new interlopers are only “adding to the pile.”

 

“There’s always another new security vulnerability or a new security update that needs applying,” ZDNET describes. “But cyber criminals don’t forget about old security flaws and vulnerabilities.”

 

Building a security-aware culture within your organizations and partnering with a CSaaS provider is your best bet. In addition to powerful, AI-driven security measures delivered and kept up-to-date by partner organizations, cybersecurity leaders should prepare every employee with basic skills in detecting phishing and social engineering attempts, among other individual measures.

 

Partner with Semifly for Next-Generation Cybersecurity

 

Semifly’s cybersecurity experts provide organizations with more than just technical expertise. We enable companies of all sizes with access to the latest in cybersecurity technologies and capabilities. Contact one of our experts today to learn more about how Semifly can deliver security excellence and peace of mind.