DXC Technology has forecast five ways the digital security landscape will impact life and business in 2023 and beyond. Here’re the top 5 trends, according to the company.
1. The cybersecurity arms race will accelerate
Cybercriminals and cybersecurity professionals will both use artificial intelligence (AI) in an increasingly sophisticated battle of wits. In the case of cybersecurity defense, AI has been mainly used to identify patterns of suspicious behavior. Due to the volume of suspect activity and the number of false positives, cybersecurity staff are often overwhelmed.
The good news is that in 2023 and beyond, we should be able to start automating AI-based security controls and response mechanisms – helping to react faster and more accurately to cyberattacks, reducing possible downtime and protecting personal and business critical data.
2. We’ll need to be cautious about who we think we’re talking to in the metaverse (while keeping a firm hold of our digital wallets)
2023 is set to be important year for the metaverse with Meta, Microsoft, Virbela and others counting on virtual worlds going mainstream. However, activity in the metaverse can raise questions around identity; how do you know that the person you think you are talking to is who they say they are? Digital certificates, perhaps built on the blockchain, could help. These certificates could also be used to secure virtual transactions in the metaverse. What is clear is that as the metaverse expands, so too will the risks.
3. Geo-political cybersecurity attacks will increase but also lead to innovation in defense
Russia’s attack on Ukraine has reminded us in the starkest way possible that warfare is now hybrid and the risks of geopolitically motivated cyberattacks are real. As a result, many cyber insurance policies are now being written to exclude acts of cyberwar, creating challenges for cyber risk mitigation.
With lingering geopolitical tensions, this threat is set to continue in 2023. In fact, with more than 70 countries due to hold government elections in 2023 (events frequently targeted by state-sponsored actors), it will be a challenging year for cybersecurity defenses. However, we can learn from case studies such as Ukraine’s ‘exemplary’ defense against Russian cyberattacks.
4. Cybersecurity attacks will target critical national infrastructure that supplies our homes
When the lights go out or the gas is cut, most people are unlikely to think it’s the result of an industrial cybersecurity breach. But Operational Technology (OT) is an emerging battleground for cyberattacks, with the systems that control and automate factories and civil infrastructure (including power stations and dams) becoming a target.
With ongoing geopolitical tensions, the OT cyber threat will grow in 2023 putting pressure on industries to ensure they stay one step ahead by baking in cybersecurity protection across their operations.
5. Career opportunities in cybersecurity will grow
There is an estimated global shortfall of around 3.4 million cybersecurity workers. With growing threats from advanced technologies, this number is likely to increase.
The cyber skills gap creates career opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
