3 emerging security threats – and how you can defend against them

The challenge is, as threats are evolving in line with technological advancements, cybercriminals are leveraging new ways to cast a wider net for sensitive personal data and valuable corporate intellectual property. In the quest to protect confidential information, not only do organizations have to contend with traditional external threats such as ransomware, phishing, and other types of advanced malware, but also with the omnipresent internal threats such as malicious or accidental data leakage. Updating security technologies can address part of the challenge, but remaining vigilant about new, emerging risks in order to flex and implement the right prevention strategies is still paramount.

In a recent article titled “Predictions 2020: This Time, Cyberattacks Get Personal,” Forrester broke down three modern security threats your organization may not have considered in the past:

• Mergers and acquisitions: Though mergers and acquisitions (M&As) between companies have always been a part of business life, mergers mean a sharing of user and resource data, which makes them prime opportunities for cybercriminals. Even with laws being passed to limit how data can be shared during M&As, the amount of personal information at stake means the deals will continue to be appealing targets.
• Deepfake scams: Deepfakes – faked video and audio recordings made via artificial intelligence – represent a new and innovative technique for criminals to defraud and manipulate the public. Natural language and video editing software are now sophisticated enough that anybody can be taken in – Forrester recounted how the CEO of a German energy company was tricked into wiring $243,000 to a cybercriminal who was able to mimic his boss’ voice, tone, and mannerisms.
• Lower trust in AI and ML: With deepfakes and M&A misuse making headlines, consumer trust is at an all-time low. As a result, there has been a growing backlash against machine learning and artificial intelligence that is impacting its progress and innovation. And while organizations are under fire for how they’re handling data, it’s cybercriminals who continue to manipulate the situation to their advantage.

With concern over data security and unauthorized access at an all-time high, what can be done to help organizations navigate the risks? That’s where Zones can play a role.

First, our Data Loss Prevention Assessment can examine your current security posture and processes to identify what sensitive data you have throughout your organization, who has access to it and what potential points of data leakage may exist. Next, we’ll leverage the insights gained from this assessment to design and implement a modern Data Loss Prevention solution that will help minimize your data loss risk and scale as your business does.

Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, so your Security Fortification needs to be sophisticated too. Click below to learn more about how Zones can keep your data safe.

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