Cyber Security and Compliance Recommendations for U.S. Companies for 2021

Cyber Security and Compliance Recommendations for U.S. companies for 2021

The key technology trends for businesses in 2021 will include a much greater need for cybersecurity, especially with the addition of remote workers and a greater push towards moving to the cloud.

According to Homeland Security Today, there has been a 63% increase in cybercrime during the pandemic.

The future of cybersecurity can be summed up in one phrase:
“The quick and the dead.”

Cybersecurity is becoming the most important aspect of running a successful business.

Companies that can adjust quickly to the ever-changing landscape of protecting a business against cyberattacks will survive, and the ones that don’t can be quickly put out of business.

Cybercrime is extremely profitable and is not going away anytime soon, and the types of attacks are getting more often and more sophisticated.

Companies will need to adapt their technology, processes, and policies to this ever-changing landscape; those that don’t will die.

Cybersecurity will become the cornerstone of every operating system, application, process, and policy. It will encompass every aspect of running a business and will become the standard by which companies either survive or crash and burn.

The following are trends that are shaping cybersecurity:

1. Advanced phishing techniques utilizing AI and data metrics that will incorporate detailed and personal information from an individual’s social media and dark web information to launch sophisticated, targeted attacks.
2. Attacks against home automation devices utilizing new 5G networks and the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT industry is expected to grow to more than seven billion devices by the end of 2020, according to Gartner. So, we can expect these devices to become targets of cyber attacks.
3. Attacks on mobile devices. Currently, more than 60% of online fraud is achieved through mobile platforms. Almost everyone uses their phones to manage financial tasks or handle sensitive data outside the security of their home network. This becomes a prominent threat and a target of hackers.

Businesses need to seriously consider incorporating security or bolstering what they already have. It’s recommended to engage the resources of a Managed Service Provider who will be able to offer you the security and monitoring of your business technology.

This way, you can run your business instead of allowing the business to run you.

Anthony Buonaspina, BSEE, BSCS,CPACC

Anthony has been in the MSP business since before the acronym existed. Managed IT once started as break-fix solutions and some light phone support.

Since then, he has seen the industry flourish into a landscape of platforms, cloud servers, software tools and AI . Tailoring network configurations and software stacks to the specific needs of each business.

In his current role, he focuses on proactive planning, ensuring clients can avoid potential issues altogether. This involves meticulous planning for enhanced business continuity, allowing swift resolution of any unforeseen challenges. What initially began as addressing "fires" through break-fix solutions has evolved into a proactive approach, ensuring that such issues are prevented from arising in the first place.