Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2018. Read them in this 10th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed by Linus Chang, Founder and CEO, BackupAssist
Data Breaches and Hackers On the Rise; Mandatory Reporting Regulations/Laws Will Provide True Understanding of Dire State
Here at BackupAssist, we
predict the coming year will bring a mixed bag of results - from AI and machine
learning advances used for positive outcomes, while an even more intense
battleground develops between ordinary businesses and cyber criminals - an
unfortunate escalation of events from 2017.
The positive trends in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption
will continue across the board, such as businesses using machine learning to
process, trend and analyze information. In particular, I believe the next stage
will be an AI evolution in dealing with customer interactions.
Of course, anything that can be used for the positive can
also be used for the negative. In 2018 we may see the use of these same
automated technologies-AI and machine learning-to create, evolve and deploy
more virulent forms of ransomware. In late 2017, we saw weaponized AI that simulate
spear-phishing attacks that can lure in victims with a higher success rate and
output than human hackers. This means the age of ransomware-and the threat to
all businesses-will only get worse.
Because of this and other factors, we are confident that data breaches, and
specifically data leaks, will continue to increase, and I fear that more and
more companies will be hijacked and blackmailed. Ransomware will present an
ongoing risk to all businesses and organizations, but this blanket risk is only
one aspect of the problem.
Unfortunately, Uber set a terrible example, where $100,000
was paid to hackers to conceal a data breach. This has put a concrete price on
the potential bounty available to hackers when they penetrate a company's
security. Insider leaks will also continue, forcing companies to re-examine
their security and access policies, but it will take time for companies to
react.
The meteoric rise of cryptocurrency will also mean the theft
of cryptocurrency wallets will become more widespread in 2018. I believe the
money to be made in this sphere will mean more individuals will become immersed
in cybercriminal activities. Much like ransomware like Petya, Mischa and
Stampado paved the way for anyone to buy ransomware-as-a-service, we will see
the reduction of barriers to entering this field.
With the introduction of GDPR in May 2018-and the
strengthening of laws relating to mandatory data breach reporting-we will for
the first time have an understanding of how bad the situation is. And, given
what we have seen so far from fragmented reports, I expect it to be worse than
is currently believed.
But, there is of course
light at the end of the tunnel. I
foresee that encryption, used for preventative cyber-security will provide the
backbone for solutions to some of these problems. Encrypting data stored in the
cloud will make hackers' lives harder and prevent data breach, while it will
also help prevent data exfiltration and loss. Specialist ransomware protections
and improved backup technologies will also enable organizations to combat the
rise in data-hijacking.
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About the Author
Linus Chang, Founder and CEO, BackupAssist
(Cortex I.T. Labs Pty Ltd.), creator and original programmer of
BackupAssist, the leading backup software product for Windows Servers. Since
its inception in 2002, BackupAssist has provided a simple and cost effective
way of backing up Windows Servers - famous for its value pricing, "it just
works" user experience and outstanding customer support. BackupAssist
has been sold to 165 countries - to small and medium businesses, schools,
universities and government departments. Notable customers include NASA, NATO,
US Department of Homeland Security, US Navy, US Department of State, GE,
Pfizer, MIT, Stanford, UCSD, and Monash University. Prior to
BackupAssist, Chang served as EO Accelerator Chair, EO APAC Regional Director,
Consultant, and Oakton Computing.
Chang attended the Macquarie Graduate
School of Management, Monash University earning a B.Sc., Computer Science,
Electrical Engineering, and Haileybury College.