<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The business and technology world saw a lot of debates regarding cybersecurity attacks and threats in 2017. The debates ranged from how Russia had a hand in the US’ presidential election to the Equifax breach. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As technology breaks new ground, people and businesses rely on it more often than not to reach new horizons, but not without creating opportunities for cybercriminals and third parties. For this reason, businesses, in particular, need to keep with cybersecurity trends to avoid getting in way over their head. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Without further ado, here are 5 cybersecurity trends highlighted by the leaders of </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">cybersecurity Virginia</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> That’s right. Here’s what businesses need to watch out for in the upcoming year. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Preparation and Proactivity towards Ransomware </b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ransomware is one of those threats that will not go down easily. The threat has been around for years now, with the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">FBI concluding</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that 4000 ransomware attacks have been carried out every day since 2016. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To put things into perspective, the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">WannaCry ransomware attack</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took place in 2017. It spread across computers and networks rapidly, encrypting files on Windows-based computers making them inaccessible, unless a payment was made in the form of Bitcoin. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The attack was a wakeup call for businesses, and individuals even, on how important it is to back up data. Additionally, it highlighted the importance of updating and patching systems to bolster real-time defenses. Organizations must adopt these policies to prevent ransomware attacks from being more dangerous than they already are. </span></p>
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<h2><b>AI and Machine Learning </b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Artificial intelligence is already playing an important role in the development of financial institutions and technology related industries. It is also proving to be incredibly useful for cybersecurity. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seeing how the battle against hackers and cybercriminals moves rapidly, AI and machine learning can be used to predict and identify attacks before they even happen. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As cybersecurity threats evolve, so can machine learning models</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Humans can be slow when it comes to detecting data breaches, but that is not the case with AI and machine learning, which will be all the rage in the upcoming year to combat cyber threats of any kind. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Securing the Internet of Things</b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IoT, or the Internet of Things, is vulnerable – especially gadgets that come equipped with internet connectivity and sensors. These devices lack the necessary features to defeat attacks. Not only are they not optimally configured, but they mostly rely on simple passwords that are easy to crack by hackers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">2018 already saw an increase in developments for IoT, which will carry forward to 2019, seeing how IoT is still not safe and secure from cyber threats. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Lack of Specialists</b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The growth of the cybersecurity industry is dependent on the number of specialists available. For now, the numbers are not all that great. There is a shortage of specialists that understand cybersecurity, let alone the needs of organizations and businesses in regards to it. Training programs are already underway and will continue to be this way as cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. </span></p>
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<h2><b>Deal with Breaches Smartly </b></h2>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Equifax data breach is the perfect example of how not to deal with such a situation. There is no denying the fact that data breaches cannot be eliminated completely, but how businesses deal with them afterward is of utmost importance. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Any business can easily lessen the blow of breaches, and even help those affected, but only if they act appropriately during the aftermath. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Equifax serves as an example of what not to do after a breach. Businesses should under no circumstance delay coming out clean about breaches, as it will come out eventually. The longer businesses hold out, the worse the blowback. Business should also avoid misdirection. Misdirecting victims not only will anger them, but it will affect how they and others see your company. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Businesses need to do whatever it takes to protect its consumers. Fortunately, there are several ways to do so. By following the trends above, companies can detect attacks. Even though cyber threats cannot be eliminated entirely, but taking the necessary precautions will allow companies to deal with a breach effectively rather than being clueless about it. </span></p>

5 Cybersecurity Trends Businesses Need to Watch For
