Cyber security trends to observe in 2022.

Byline: AHSAN NISAR

Cyber security is now a critical function in organizations in the current era of online/digital business and communication. Hackers will remain on the winning side if the assets in organization are left with vulnerabilities that might eventually be exploited. In the ongoing time of COVID-19 waves, hackers are taking advantage of this confusion while attacking with ransomware and phishing at faster pace and this is very much anticipated to continue in 2022. It is not just the speed but variety of attacks that give hackers an edge over the opponents (defending teams at target organizations).

Following are the top cyber security trends to observe in 2022:

Phishing Attacks and Ransomware

Phishing refers to seeking unauthorized information disclosure via emails (spams, attachments, links) and other communication channels. Users are therefore advised not to click on suspicious links or download attachments in emails, websites and social media messages and posts. In the ongoing time of COVID-19 waves, hackers are outmaneuvering the defenders by launching ransomware and phishing attacks at very fast rate. In 2022, this trend will continue by cyber attackers because it is the most successful attack method being a major tool of social engineering. Threat actors behind ransomware campaigns will continue switching tactics to gain access to organizations' sensitive data. Targeted ransomware attacks require a more accurate intelligence-gathering activity on the victims including social engineering, but they can allow criminals to earn much more money and ini!ict maximum disruption to the victims.

Use of Artii!cial Intelligence in Cyber Security

The role and use of Artii!cial Intelligence (AI) is expected to expand on both sides i.e. attack and defense in 2022. The attackers can plan adversarial moves to avoid detection by state of the art security appliances and solutions. Such stealthy techniques can be much harder for organizations to respond in quick and efi!cient manner. Cybercriminals have proved to bypass multiple layers of cyber security controls using AI. Their success illustrates how the use of new technologies including AI can change the landscape of cybercrime for both attackers and defenders. Cybercriminals are quick to adopt new techniques and tools that give them an edge over cyber security defenses.

The defenders are facing the impact of this technology as cybercriminals use systems that operate, think and act as...