Top Cybersecurity Buzzwords 2021 Explained Simply

The cybersecurity field is growing fast, and it's hard to keep up with everything that's happening over the turbulent year. As your company poise for digital transformation, there seems to be an unending list of cybersecurity terms and buzzwords in the industry to contend with, which, understandably, can be very overwhelming.

We saw the tectonic shift to the digital world during the global Covid-19 pandemic in the past year. We also saw more news about sophisticated nation-state attacks between countries, more contentious questions on data privacy arising, the rise of massive cybersecurity data breaches in established institutes surfacing.

To help you keep up with the increasingly complex topic of cybersecurity, we've put together a list of cybersecurity buzzwords that will be important for your organization over the year 2021 and beyond.

1. Machine Learning

The rapid progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its creative use in all industries have brought a spotlight on machine learning. From courier delivery services to enterprise automation and understanding consumer needs better. Machine learning uses natural language processing on big data collected from customers, and it's this data that has to be kept secure from cyber attacks.

As more and more companies progress towards digital transformation, cybersecurity also has to keep up with protection. Today, cybersecurity software have also recruited the use of AI and machine learning for malware detection. By using machine learning to identify and predict the actions and behaviour of cyber threats, organizations are alerted and protected in real-time, regardless of the type of malware attack.

2. Internet of Things (IoT)

Businesses employ many devices for day to day operations to keep up with a technologically advanced landscape today. As a result, there's a rising need for centralized control of all devices connected to the internet across platforms and channels.

This central ecosystem of devices or IoT is predicted to expand and gain more sophistication this year. Particularly with the 5G network now a possibility, data flow between devices and multiple sources can go at unprecedented breakneck speeds.

However, great power in ubiquitous data transfer invites significant cybersecurity risks. Without the right cyber risk management software or procedures in place, setting up IoT for your company could quickly become a threat.

3. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Working remotely has become the new norm worldwide thanks to the global pandemic. With employees spread out across the country, companies have had to make provisions for BYOD policies. Allowing staff to access enterprise data from their personal devices has become a necessity. But that also loosens the reins of control on sensitive company data and information security. Organizations should set up robust IT policies to ensure BYOD practices in the company are safe and secure.

4. Endpoint Protection

BYOD compounds the need for endpoint protection in 2021. True, employees can gain access to their work remotely, and the company can keep operating without a physical space. But the confidential company data that your staff are remotely accessing are all stored in the cloud, which is susceptible to cyber attacks.

Businesses are recognizing the crucial need to invest in the right endpoint protection platform (EPP). EPPs are essential in securing these cloud entry points, so only authorized staff can securely access the enterprise data in their computer system through a safe virtual private network.

5. Cloud Computing

As big data continues to grow and evolve in complexity this year, secure data storage is predicted to be a major challenge organizations struggle with. Cloud data storage capabilities within the company itself are limited. Also, businesses are not equipped with the required knowledge to protect their data from external threats.

Due to these reasons, cloud computing, third-party data centres, and cloud infrastructure are an ongoing trend businesses are willing to invest in.

Cloud computing security in 2021 means more than encrypt files. It's a shared responsibility between users and vendors to ensure data protection and compliance. This means multi-factor authentication, planning access controls, and issuing Secure Socket Shell (SSH) keys.

6. Cyber Attack

It's challenging to keep up with the latest threat in cyber attacks. They evolve and grow in complexity to keep evading security systems. And this year, we're already seeing more and more cyber attacks using the global lockdown as a catalyst.

The virtual world we entertain, conduct daily business operations, or indulge in personal recreation is vulnerable to many forms of malicious threats. For example, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack can crash an unsecured system preventing anyone's access. Or a simple phishing email can cause a data breach.

Regardless, preventing a cyber attack is a matter of reputation protection for any organization that has earned the trust of its clients.

7. Spear Phishing

What was once basic phishing emails in Microsoft Office Outlook has developed into a more sophisticated form of cyber attack: spear phishing. With a highly targeted approach, spear-phishing studies their target audience closely and relies heavily on social engineering to increase the success rate of malware installation.

The best way around spear phishing is employee education and building awareness of what to look out for in suspicious-looking emails.

Protection You Need With Fujitsu Cybersecurity Solutions

Equipped with the cybersecurity buzzwords of 2021, your company can now prioritize efforts and budget for the protection you need.

Fujitsu offers a wide range of Managed Security solutions that help your organization detect risks quickly and protect your company data from damage. Our experts can help you determine what kind of Cyber Security Services protection is right for your enterprise. Learn how to manage risk across multiple devices, networks, applications, users, and cloud services so that your information stays protected at all times with us.