From ransomware attacks to supply chain breaches, from state-sponsored cyber warfare to insider threats, the challenges and threats facing the security industry are constantly changing and growing.
In this article, we will review various insights on some of the most important cybersecurity trends that will shape the security landscape in 2023 and beyond, and how Chief Information Security Officers can prepare for them.
Human-centric design for cybersecurity
One of the key trends that we see emerging is the adoption of human-centric design for cybersecurity. This means designing security controls and processes with the individual — not technology, threat or location — as the focus, to minimize operational friction and maximize control adoption.
According to Gartner, 50% of CISOs will formally adopt human-centric design practices into their cybersecurity programs by 2027¹. This is because traditional security approaches often create barriers and frustrations for users, leading to risky behaviors and reduced productivity.
Human-centric design aims to understand the needs, motivations and behaviors of users, and to create security solutions that are easy to use, intuitive and seamless. For example, using biometric authentication instead of passwords, or providing contextual security awareness training instead of generic courses.
By adopting human-centric design, CISOs can improve the user experience and engagement with security, while also enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of security controls.
Privacy as a competitive advantage
Another trend that we see gaining momentum, is the use of privacy as a competitive advantage. Privacy is not only a legal obligation, but also a business opportunity. Organizations that can demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data and respecting their privacy preferences can gain trust, loyalty and differentiation in the market.
According to Gartner, less than 10% of organizations will have successfully weaponized privacy as a competitive advantage by 2024¹. This is because many organizations still view privacy as a compliance burden, rather than a strategic asset. They also lack the capabilities and resources to implement a comprehensive and mature privacy program.
To leverage privacy as a competitive advantage, CISOs need to align their privacy strategy with their business strategy, and embed privacy into their culture, processes and products. They also need to communicate their privacy value proposition to their customers, partners and stakeholders, and showcase how they use data responsibly and ethically.
Zero-trust programs for cybersecurity
A third trend that I see becoming more prevalent is the implementation of zero-trust programs for cybersecurity. Zero-trust is a security model that assumes no trust for any entity or network, and requires continuous verification and authorization for every access request and transaction.
According to Gartner, 10% of large enterprises will have a comprehensive, mature and measurable zero-trust program in place by 2026¹. This is because traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient to protect against sophisticated and persistent cyber threats, especially in the era of cloud computing, remote work and digital transformation.
Zero-trust programs require integration and configuration of multiple components, such as identity and access management (IAM), endpoint protection, network segmentation, data encryption and threat detection. They also require a shift in mindset and culture, from trusting by default to verifying by default.
By implementing zero-trust programs, CISOs can reduce their attack surface, improve their visibility and control over their assets, and enhance their resilience against cyber attacks.
Cyber risk quantification for decision making
A fourth trend that I see emerging is the use of cyber risk quantification for decision making. Cyber risk quantification is the process of measuring and expressing cyber risk in financial terms, such as expected loss or return on investment.
Cyber risk quantification is still a nascent and complex discipline, with many challenges such as data quality, modeling accuracy, stakeholder alignment and communication effectiveness.
Cyber risk quantification can help CISOs communicate the value and impact of cybersecurity to business leaders, justify their budget requests and investments, prioritize their initiatives and resources, and optimize their risk management strategies.
To succeed in cyber risk quantification, CISOs need to adopt a pragmatic and iterative approach, focusing on the most critical risks and decisions first. They also need to collaborate with other functions such as finance, risk management and audit, to ensure consistency and alignment across the organization.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the cybersecurity trends that I believe will shape the security landscape in the near future. We all need to stay ahead of these trends and prepare for the future challenges and opportunities. I hope this article has provided you with some useful insights and inspiration for your own cybersecurity journey.
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