Nearly all current research underpins a worrying trend, namely an increase in cyber-attacks, data leaks and data protection hacks. Not to mention that security breaches nowadays cause much more damage than just a few years ago due to more connectivity and a growing number of digital devices.

Therefore, security experts recommend focusing on data protection and artificial intelligence (AI) this year, to prepare for highly complex malware attacks. Sustainability in IT security and the integration of holistic security technologies and concepts are of course indispensable.

Encryption Trojans are spreading

The fact is that the threat of malware won’t fade in the future but will continue to grow. But what remains to be seen is if crypto mining will keep its top position as 'shooting star' on the malware charts.

While the theft of computing system resources, like interrupt requests (IRQ) lines, direct memory access (DMA) channels, input/output (I/O) port addresses and memory address ranges, played a central role in the media last year, experts expect encryption Trojans to be the top issue in 2019 and warn to take appropriate action. In addition to the use of a high-performance security solution, this includes strengthening the security competence of users, for instance the use of holistic and proactive approaches, too. Certainly, this includes threat intelligence and endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems as key technologies to ward off advanced package tools (APT) and zero-day attacks on corporate networks.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is in the limelight

According to experts, the subject of artificial intelligence (AI) and the closely related machine learning technology will also be more in the limelight, in fact in both positive and negative terms. On the one hand, machine learning algorithms can free IT security officers from repetitive tasks, such as verifying suspicious files, and deployed best to help identify threats more efficiently in the future. Unfortunately, machine learning can also be exploited by cybercriminals for their own purposes, since they are able to automate labor-intensive tasks and the search for endangered targets. Hence, AI systems will continue to depend on the help and guidance of highly trained malware analysts this year.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is spreading further

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became active around nine months ago, so that initial experiences could be collected and must be assessed now, keeping the topic of data protection high on our list. Not to mention that the protection of personal data is starting to get more attention in countries outside the EU, which probably take on core elements of the GDPR. In any case, global technology giants must take their responsibility in 2019 more serious to protect a variety of user data they have gathered globally over the years. Therefore, all measures should ultimately consider the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer systems and data as three key achievements that need to be guarded heavily and seen as the main duty of IT security in 2019.

For sure, these topics will be comprehensively discussed at the Interpol World 2019 that will take place in Singapore, since it is designed to engage the public and private sectors in dialogue and fosters collaboration to counter future security and policing challenges.

By Daniela La Marca