Cybersecurity giant Fortinet has released its Threat Predictions 2024 report, analyzing upcoming trends and threats in the digital landscape. The report paints a worrying picture, predicting that attackers will adopt a more aggressive and targeted approach, focusing on critical infrastructure and leveraging new technologies like AI and Zero-Day vulnerabilities.
Shifting Targets: Fortinet expects cybercriminals to shift their focus from easy targets to critical sectors like healthcare, finance, transportation, and utilities. These sectors, if compromised, could have a significant impact on society and potentially generate large payouts for attackers.
Expanding Playbooks: Attacks are expected to become more “personal,” with attackers utilizing advanced techniques to gather intelligence and launch targeted campaigns. Fortinet predicts adversaries will also adopt more destructive tactics, increasing the potential damage caused by attacks.
Zero-Day Threat: The report highlights the growing threat of Zero-Day vulnerabilities – software flaws unknown to the vendor and potentially exploited before a patch is available. With the increasing number of platforms and applications, Fortinet anticipates the emergence of Zero-Day distributors, selling these vulnerabilities on the dark web.
Insider Threat: As organizations strengthen their external defenses, attackers are predicted to focus on infiltrating systems from within. This “insider threat” could involve recruiting employees or exploiting trusted relationships to gain access to sensitive information and systems.
Geopolitical Targeting: The report predicts that attackers will increasingly exploit major events and geopolitical developments, such as the US elections and the Paris Olympics. With the rise of generative AI, attackers will have new tools at their disposal to create targeted and sophisticated attacks.
Adapting TTPs: Fortinet expects attackers to continuously refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to evade existing security measures. This highlights the need for organizations to constantly adapt their defenses and adopt a proactive approach to security.
Recommendations:
Fortinet urges organizations to strengthen their security posture in the face of these evolving threats. They recommend:
- Enhanced Security Controls: Implementing advanced security technologies and processes to address the evolving threat landscape.
- Zero-Day Vulnerability Management: Prioritizing patching and mitigation strategies for known vulnerabilities.
- Insider Threat Detection: Implementing measures to identify and prevent malicious insider activity.
- AI-powered Threat Detection and Response: Utilizing AI-driven solutions to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
By taking proactive measures and staying informed about emerging threats, organizations can significantly improve their resilience against the evolving cybercrime landscape.
