As we come to the end of 2021, it is time to look back and reflect on what this year has meant for the world of cybersecurity. But it is also time to look ahead and try to understand what we will encounter in the coming year and what we will have to face. With the experience gained over another year and considering the current trends in the field of information security, at Internet Security Auditors we highlight a series of predictions for 2022:
Ransomware attacks will surge in 2022
Based on the current trend, ransomware attacks will skyrocket in 2022, evolving into increasingly sophisticated methods. The rise in this type of attack during 2021 has been very significant compared to the previous year, suggesting that the upward trend will continue in 2022. Furthermore, the techniques used are expected to become more advanced, making detection and containment increasingly complex.
Linux systems will be targeted more frequently
2021 has been a favorable year for Linux technology, as demand for Linux‑based products has increased. This rise in demand has also been accompanied by a growth in attacks targeting these systems. The upward trend in both the adoption of Linux systems and the number of attacks against them is expected to continue throughout 2022, which will also drive an increase in the installation of antivirus solutions on these systems.
Increase in multi‑factor authentication for system access
Password management by users has always been a challenge in the industry (easily guessable passwords, the same password reused across systems/applications, insecure password storage, etc.). Attackers have exploited these weaknesses to compromise access to various systems. To protect these access points, the use of multi‑factor authentication (especially two‑factor authentication) will be essential, leading to broader adoption, more supporting technologies, and greater sophistication.
Increase in cloud migrations
The migration of infrastructures to the cloud will continue to grow throughout 2022. The number of servers from different organizations hosted in the cloud will be significantly higher during the year, which will encourage the emergence of new attacks and techniques targeting these platforms.
Consolidation of wallets as a payment method
The digitalization of payment methods is already a reality. Payments using wallets are becoming increasingly common, and in 2022 they will consolidate as one of the most widely used payment methods worldwide. Protecting wallets and the devices that support them will be one of the key security priorities for 2022.
