This Week in Getting Hacked: 2016 Cybersecurity Prediction

All aboard the cybersecurity train! CHOOO CHOOOO! Each week we bring you the greatest and most terrifying cybersecurity and hacking-related news on the web. This is….THIS WEEK IN GETTING HACKED!

In light of it being a new year and people wanting to make bold predictions, everyone and their mother is making lists. Lists on lists on lists, all concerning what we’ll see in 2016 in regards to cybersecurity. So, we’ve gathered everyone else’s 2016 cybersecurity predictions into one handy guide, because why not?

Network World wants to warn you about some cybersecurity issues—most notably, the Internet of Things, and the proliferation of cloud-based services/software, both of which are easily hackable, as well as hard to manage for your IT department. Once the Internet of Things becomes prevalent, it’s only a matter of time until your toaster is hacked.

Photo Credit: mitchellenright.com

They hacked into a children’s toy—hackers are not above hacking your toaster or blender. Also of note is that “spear phishing” will become more common; if you aren’t aware of spear phishing, it’s where a hacker just outright goes after a high-level employee (most likely a CEO or other C-level) to get the data they need through phishing tactics.

Network World is also bringing that heat again, with a few industry predictions for cybersecurity in 2016. As we’ve noted previously, there are a TON of cybersecurity jobs, but very few qualified individuals, creating a shortage to the tune of about 1 million job openings. Now’s a great time to brush up your cybersecurity skills and resume. Also of note is that federal contractors are expected to jump into the fray with their own offerings, as they have the funding and the know-how to keep government secrets secret, so they should be able to do it with your measly data.

There’s a few big names in cybersecurity as far as influencing goes, and you’d be stupid not to follow them this year, to see how they could change the landscape of cybersecurity. Folks like Tim Cook of Apple, Michael Dell of Dell, Eric Schmidt at Google, and Ginni Rometty of IBM all have a large influence on how encryption and cybersecurity are adapted into everyday life and how their products should remain secure to the consumer.

Photo Credit: news.theregistrysf.com We know it’s from the TV show….

Follow them on blogs, follow them on Twitter, follow them home, but at least keep an eye out for what they’re saying (don’t actually follow them home, please).

The BBC has a few ideas on what to keep an eye on as far as trends go, with an emphasis on the mobile world and how that will affect cybersecurity, especially with the rise and prominence of mobile payment options like Apple and Google Pay. The Internet of Things gets brought up again, because let’s face it: if you have a “smart home”, someone can and will probably hack into it at some point.

Photo Credit: internetmatters.org

The “connected everything” world is a blessing and curse, but finding a way to keep those connections secure is the biggest hurdle in their large-scale commercial expansion. Also, be on the lookout for robots, but you already knew that.

The last thing people want stolen is their money. That’s what it comes down to—that’s why American Banker is bringing a money-centric look at cybersecurity in 2016. Financial institutions and other tech companies are waging a war with the government over the use of “back doors”, which would allow agencies to be privy to consumer data to help thwart terrorist threats.

Photo Credit: sageworks.com

And with more regulations for financial institutions, expect to see two-factor authentication become mandatory for online banking as well as increased security when resetting a password.

That’s it for this week! Stay safe out there!