The year 2020 was a difficult one in the cyber security world. With remote working and online collaboration at the forefront of organizations everywhere, gaps in tech stacks have been exposed and cyber attacks are on the rise. As we look toward 2021, what cyber security trends should IT professionals expect to see, and how can we work towards confronting them? Let’s dive in. 

1. Ransomware is on the move. 

Schools, businesses, and healthcare organizations had to adapt quickly to new business practices, both online and offline. Many organizations experienced down time in their systems, and attackers knew they could take advantage of this. During a ransomware attack, cyber criminals block users from data, rather stealing it silently in the background. In order to get that data back, attackers will ask the organization to pay a ransom. Although it’s a hefty price, organizations understand that the cost of data loss could be far worse. We expect that cyber criminals will continue to capitalize on these opportunities in 2021, as cloud based resources and remote working don’t show signs of stopping anytime soon.  

2. Organizations will reassess their tech stack and security strategies. 

For many organizations, the pandemic has exposed weaknesses in their tech stack and business continuity plans. As we head in 2021, it’s important to take a look at where the gaps lie, and what cyber security trends and tools can be put in place to strengthen them. This will involve a variety of tools, such as deception technology, authentication solutions, cloud based security services, and more. Implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions will ensure that organizations are proactively analyzing threat patterns, and keeping up with new methodologies. In addition, we expect to see cyber security training on the rise. While this is something most employees experience during onboarding, it’s not enough to keep the momentum going. Unless you’re an IT professional, chances are you don’t know all the ins and outs of spotting an attack when it happens, or how to take proactive measure in protecting your organization at large. Leadership should take action in implementing new training tactics for remote workers, and ensuring this is an ongoing practice moving forward. 

3. The need for IT professionals increases. 

If your organization doesn’t have a CISO or equivalent role, now is the time to hire someone! Appointing a head of security in your organization or outsourcing IT and cyber security services will ensure that best practices are being put into place. Before the pandemic, justifying funds for this sort of thing wasn’t easy. But due to the rise in data breaches and cyber attacks, C-Suite executives are able to gain better buy-in, and create better structural organizations from the top down. 

Looking for outsourced IT and cyber security services? Thinline Technologies has you covered! Whether your company needs to keep IT service and support costs predictable, avoid unexpected problems, communicate more effectively or make a plan for business continuity, we have a solution for you. Visit our services page for more info, and contact us today.