What Are the Biggest Internet Security Challenges for 2018 and Beyond?

Andrew Mabbitt
codeburst
Published in
4 min readMay 31, 2018

Everywhere you look these days, it seems like a new problem is cropping up to impact internet security. While many of the security challenges may feel more like scare-mongering than actual threats, the reality is, internet security is facing enormous problems at an unprecedented rate.

The cyber landscape is changing, as the development of the capabilities of the internet and technology has become a major priority for businesses. In recent years, there has been the emergence of new developments that are destined to change the cyber world, and with it, the needs for cybersecurity.

Here are five of the biggest internet security challenges of 2018, and the years to come:

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Any conversion about cyber changes theses days, will likely touch on the topic of IoT, as it rises in prominence across the globe. IoT may not be the beginning of internet expansion, but it certainly marks a defining chapter in cyber development.

Internet of Things. Credit: xtendiot.com

Already, people have become reliant on the internet in their everyday lives, most prominently perhaps, being the use of an internet-connected mobile phone. Currently, around 2.53 billion people own a smartphone, with the number only expected to rise.

As the IoT seeks to expand on the ways that the internet is incorporated into devices, cybersecurity has to develop at the same time, to make sure that everything connected is safe from cybercrime. While it may currently seem humorous to imagine a hacker targeting an oven or a refrigerator, as everything is interconnected, the potential of a security breach could be incredibly difficult to contain in a single device.

The Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

There are two sides to the challenge of AI in internet security. The first side is a good one — the use of AI to combat threats around the clock. The second side is potentially catastrophic — AI instigating the hack in the first place.

As technology develops for those who are charged with the task of internet security, it also develops for those who have charged themselves with the responsibility of exploiting vulnerabilities. While one side may be using AI to spot hazardous code, the other may be using it to develop malware.

Growing Rewards of Cybercrime

The old saying ‘crime pays’, seems to be becoming a reality for many hackers. As hacking gets more sophisticated, cybercrime is taking off as an incredibly profitable endeavour.

Cybercrime pays. Credit: CSOnline

In recent years, cybercrime has proved to be more profitable than the trade of drugs. Companies are having to spend millions to recuperate from cyber hacks, with the totals sitting in the trillions, across the board. More and more pressure is being put on internet security to regain control of the problem.

Under-Development of Employee Education

A combination of cyber-attack frequency, poor resource allocation, and the exponential development of hacker capabilities has left employee education as one of the biggest internet security challenges. While many companies have been targeted, or are aware of the epidemic of cyber-attacks, company culture has not yet caught up.

Research has shown that employee negligence is the leading reason behind data breaches in medium-sized companies, with a study performed by Keeper Security stating that negligence caused 54% of breaches. Company’s need to address their security measures sooner rather than later, train employees to better protect vital information, and make sure that their businesses security is up to scratch with regular IT health checks.

The Impact of Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is one of the biggest developments in recent years, and one of the biggest causes of concerns over internet security. Largely, this is down to the uncertainty of blockchain; the technology has caused the explosion of cryptocurrency popularity, but what is next, is still almost completely unknown.

Cyber security must develop to meet the threat of the theft of cryptocurrency, but also to develop solutions to problems yet to arise with blockchain technology.

Combating Security Challenges in 2018 and Beyond

As the cyber landscape changes, so will cyber security. To face each new threat, security has to develop to meet the challenges, businesses need to better protect themselves, and the culture around internet-use and safety has to change. The remainder of 2018 and the years to come, will be an interesting time as the cyber landscape continues to evolve — both positively and negatively.

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Published in codeburst

Bursts of code to power through your day. Web Development articles, tutorials, and news.

Written by Andrew Mabbitt

Founder / Ethical Hacker @ Fidus Information Security.

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