The future of cyber threats and how to fight them
When you hear that fighting AI bots, rogue avatars, and digital warfare will be the norm in 2023, you might not want to leave your house. However, cybercriminals can still target critical infrastructures, such as power outages, and cyber threats can extend to the very foundations of our lives. The cybersecurity industry is hiring about 3.4 million more professionals to thwart these threats, so you may not really need to worry too much.
In fact, the number of cyberattacks is increasing. The number is now over 2 million per year and is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion in economic losses by 2025  (up 15% annually from $3 trillion in 2015).
2023 promises to be a busy year for cybersecurity. Here are five key trends that are shaping this trend.
1. The cybersecurity military race is accelerating
Both cybercriminals and cybersecurity professionals are using advanced technologies such as AI to compromise and defend connected systems, making the battlefield more complex than ever. In cybersecurity defense, AI is used to identify abnormal behavioral patterns that have traditionally been handled mainly by humans. On the other hand, the number of suspicious activities and false positives detected is increasing, often overwhelming many cybersecurity professionals.
The good news is that in 2023 and beyond, we will be able to rely more on computers and use AI to automate security controls and response mechanisms. This allows you to respond more quickly and accurately to cyberattacks, reduce the risk of downtime, and protect your personal and business-critical data.
However, in order for AI to automate the process of detecting threats and stopping them on the fly, it must know what to detect. So this is what drives cybercriminals to come up with never-before-seen attacks, and why companies need to keep up with never-before-seen trends. And as the development of quantum computing progresses, the day may come when today’s defenses can be breached in seconds.
2. Be careful about who you talk to in the metaverse (keep your digital wallet tight)
2023 will be an important year for the Metaverse, with companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Virbela expecting the rise of virtual worlds. For example, a recent internal survey at DXC Technology found that 57% of employees had already attended an event in our private metaverse environment, and more than a third said it motivated them to work. was reported. In a closed and safe environment, the Metaverse adds an exciting 3D space to work, rest and play. But in the sprawling digital world, there is the issue of authenticity. How can you tell if the person you are talking to is who they say they are? In particular, the other party’s “identity” is the identity of their digital avatar, which may or may not resemble their physical appearance. Blockchain-based digital certificates are probably useful in these situations.
Digital certificates can also help protect virtual transactions within the metaverse. In the Metaverse, users tend to spend their hard-earned cash from digital wallets on services that may be intangible and unreal. As the metaverse continues to expand, 2023 will see an increase in awareness of these risks and how best to address them.
3. Geopolitical cybersecurity attacks will rise, but they will also spark defensive innovation
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has reminded the world, in the harshest and most brutal way possible, that war is now a hybrid and the risks of geopolitical motives leading to cyberattacks are very real. rice field. Just how familiar and alarming cyberwarfare is is the fact that many cyber insurance policies now exclude acts of cyberwarfare from coverage, posing challenges in reducing cyber risk. you can see.
Geopolitical tensions continue and the threat of cyber warfare will continue into 2023. Indeed, with more than 70 countries set to hold national elections in 2023 (an event often targeted by state-sponsored attackers), it will be a difficult year for cybersecurity defenses. prize.
However, there is much to be learned from the experience of the past year. Lindy Cameron, chief executive of the UK’s National Cyber ​​Security Center, called Ukraine’s cybersecurity response to Russia “exemplary” and said there was much to be learned from the experience.
4. Cybersecurity attacks target the critical infrastructure that supports our lives
You wouldn’t expect your local power company or energy grid to suddenly suffer a cybersecurity breach when your electricity or gas goes out. But these threats are growing.
OT (Operational Technology) cybersecurity is the new battleground for cyberattacks against systems that control and automate factories and public infrastructure such as power plants and dams. Many of these systems are now connected to the Internet in some way, making them susceptible to cyberattacks.
In 2022, international cybersecurity agencies have repeatedly warned about malicious Russian cyberattacks and possible attacks on critical infrastructure, as well as the discovery of new OT-specific malware such as Industroyer2  and  InController /PipeDream. I put it out.
As with cyber warfare, continuing geopolitical tensions will affect this area. As OT cyber threats grow in 2023, critical infrastructure suppliers will need to stay ahead of the curve and strengthen cybersecurity protections across their organizations.
5. Expanding career opportunities in the cybersecurity field
According to one estimate, the cybersecurity industry is short of 3.4 million people worldwide. As technology advances and threats increase, the number of personnel shortages continues to grow.
The shortage of cyber-skilled talent creates career opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. In the UK alone, the career portal GradCracker currently has over 1,100 cybersecurity job openings for recent graduates. Opportunities aren’t just for new graduates. Many companies offer adults the opportunity to undergo cybersecurity retraining. This is a popular choice for veterans with strong field aptitudes in frontline defense against cybercrime.
Inclusion in the cybersecurity space extends to neurodiversity. For example, DXC’s Dandelion Program helps neurodiverse talent with neurological conditions such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia build careers in the IT industry, where cybersecurity jobs are in demand. Thus, increasing cyber threats are creating countless career opportunities for people of all backgrounds.
After 2023, many new cyber threats will emerge, increasing in speed and complexity. Our responsiveness to the growing threat has also been strengthened by utilizing the latest technology and approaches, and by equipping the right people. In the cybersecurity military race, the right side must win.
