Top 10: Cybersecurity Trends for 2024

The cybersecurity sector enters 2025 facing challenges as threat actors harness emerging technologies to breach traditional defenses.

This evolution in attack methodologies has come as organisations accelerate their digital transformation initiatives, creating new vulnerabilities in hybrid work environments and cloud infrastructure.

The past year witnessed significant shifts in cyber threats, as state-sponsored attacks targeted critical infrastructure, ransomware groups adopted increasingly sophisticated extortion tactics and AI tools emerged as both defensive assets and potential threats.

These developments occur against a backdrop of regulatory changes, with governments worldwide implementing stricter data protection requirements and mandatory breach reporting protocols.

This means that enterprise security teams face mounting pressure to protect expanding digital perimeters while managing skills shortages and budget constraints - which has led to the integration of operational technology with IT systems, particularly in manufacturing and utilities sectors, creating new attack surfaces that traditional security tools struggle to defend.

Meanwhile, industry analysts note that organisations are moving away from perimeter-based security models toward zero-trust architectures, reflecting the reality that network boundaries have become increasingly fluid.

This transition requires fundamental changes in how businesses approach identity management, access control and data protection.

10. Risk to supply chain

Tools such as firewalls and VPNs can help charities close any vulnerabilities in their network from users.

In fact, firewalls and VPNs are a key part of the Cyber Essentials certification’s five core measures to prevent against the most common cyber attacks. 

Cisco offers cyber security appliances at a discount to charities on the Charity Digital Exchange, from routers to firewalls and VPNs. 

9. More sophisticated threat actors

Attackers constantly develop new techniques and strategies to breach security systems, steal sensitive data, or disrupt critical services.

Various factors have driven this evolution, including the availability of powerful hacking tools, the proliferation of cybercrime forums, and the rise of nation-state-sponsored hacking groups.

8. IoT vulnerabilities

The Internet of Things (IoT) faces significant vulnerabilities, including weak passwords, insecure networks and outdated components, which can lead to severe cyberattacks.

Companies like Fortinet, a cybersecurity firm, aim to enhance IoT device security through solutions that improve network visibility and control and ThroughTek, known for its Kalay platform, collaborates with brands like Roku and Wyze to address vulnerabilities in their devices.

Notably, Fortinet's solutions help organisations manage IoT policies effectively while ThroughTek's Kalay is pivotal in securing millions of devices globally.

7. Skills gaps

The global cyber industry grapples with significant skills gaps, necessitating urgent action.

Pluralsight, a technology workforce development firm, focuses on bridging these gaps through targeted training in cybersecurity and cloud skills.

The company’s Skill Pathways project aims to enhance workforce capabilities, addressing the critical shortage of qualified professionals.

Pluralsight’s platform offers over 7,000 courses, making it a vital resource for upskilling in cybersecurity.

6. Confronting regulation challenges

The global cyber industry is facing increasing regulatory challenges as companies navigate complex legislation.

Companies such as IBM are collaborating with governments to shape effective cybersecurity policies, aiming to enhance security frameworks.

One of its most notable projects is the IBM Security QRadar that assists organisations in compliance and threat detection.

IBM has also invested over US$1bn in cybersecurity research and development, highlighting its commitment to innovation and security resilience.

5. The dangers of mobile devices

Mobile devices are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The proliferation of mobile devices has made them lucrative targets for cybercriminals, with a notable increase in malware and attacks targeting mobile banking and personal data.

The extensive use of smartphones for various activities, including financial transactions and communication, amplifies the risks associated with potential breaches.

Mobile security becomes a focal point as cybersecurity threats evolve, with anticipated trends indicating a rise in smartphone-specific viruses and malware.

Arun Kumar J is a Regional Director at ManageEngine (Zoho) and says: "Businesses should exercise a best practice to passwords, including implementing password managers.

“Attackers often exploit using weak or default passwords (think "123456" and "password"), or passwords that have been exposed in data breaches."

4. Zero trust security

The global cyber industry faces challenges in implementing Zero Trust security, which requires continuous verification of users and devices.

Companies like Zscaler, a cloud security company, offer its Zero Trust Exchange to secure access across networks, aiming to mitigate risks from remote work and cloud services.

Zscaler is its extensive global network, which enhances security while minimising latency for users worldwide.

3. Ransomware attacks on the rise

Ransomware attacks are escalating, with a 50% increase in incidents during the first half of 2023.

IBM provides advanced ransomware protection through its X-Force Exchange, aiming to enhance threat detection and response.

IBM in its commitment to innovation, has invested significantly in AI-driven security tools that help organisations mitigate ransomware threats effectively.

“The adoption of new tech has meant that it’s less expensive for attackers to target businesses, allowing them to broaden their targets”, says Carl Wearn, Head of Threat Intelligence Analysis and Future Ops at Mimecast.

“Attackers are using AI and new technology to help execute their crimes, accelerating the sophistication of phishing attacks and ransomware attacks.”

2. AI and machine learning

Automated cybersecurity threats are escalating, with hackers employing AI to orchestrate sophisticated attacks via bots.

These AI-driven methods enhance phishing schemes and exploit vulnerabilities, making detection increasingly challenging for organisations.

The rise of autonomous malware further complicates defence strategies, necessitating advanced security measures to counteract these evolving threats effectively.

Darktrace employs AI to detect and respond to such attacks in real-time whilst its Self-Learning AI adapts to evolving threats, including automated ransomware and phishing schemes.

Its technology can also autonomously neutralise threats without human intervention, showcasing the dual-edged nature of AI in cybersecurity.

Mick Baccio, Global Security Advisor at Splunk believes: “Cybercriminals will increasingly weaponise the technology to automate and escalate attacks, making them more sophisticated and harder to predict.

“Critical infrastructure, supply chains, and even government bodies will be prime targets.”

1. In the event of an outage…

In July 2024, a significant global IT outage, triggered by a flawed update from CrowdStrike, disrupted critical services worldwide, affecting approximately 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices.

CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, aims to enhance security through its Falcon software but faced backlash due to this incident.

The outage highlighted the need for robust disaster recovery plans and proactive cyber resilience strategies. 

Whilst the incident in 2024 isn’t a cyberattack, it warns of the potential of what could be exploited when things go wrong - as it was estimated to have caused over US$1bn in damages.

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