Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for businesses worldwide in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Gartner, Inc., a leading research and advisory company, has recently unveiled its top cybersecurity predictions, offering valuable insights into the future of this domain. These predictions underscore the importance of adopting a forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity, focusing on human-centric design, zero-trust architecture, and cyber risk quantification. 

This article delves into the top cybersecurity trends and predictions for 2024 and beyond, focusing on the likely threats and how we can safeguard against them.

Forecast of Major Threats and Cybersecurity Trends 

Rise of Privacy Regulation 

By 2024, Gartner predicts that modern privacy regulation, among other cybersecurity trends, will cover the majority of consumer data. Despite the growing awareness of privacy programs' benefits, less than 10% of organizations are expected to use privacy as a competitive edge.

These benefits include broader data utilization, competitive differentiation, and enhanced trust among customers, partners, investors, and regulators. Gartner recommends a comprehensive privacy policy aligned with GDPR for security leaders. 

Human Element in Cybersecurity 

Gartner anticipates that by 2027, half of all Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) will incorporate human-centric design practices into their cybersecurity programs. This approach has been designed to reduce operational friction and enhance control adoption. 

This prediction is based on the recognition that over 90% of employees knowingly engage in insecure actions during work despite being aware of the potential risks. By focusing on the individual rather than technology, threat, or location, human-centric security design helps minimize friction and enhance control. 

The Challenge of Cyber Risk Quantification 

By 2025, Gartner expects that 50% of cybersecurity leaders will have unsuccessfully attempted to use cyber risk quantification to drive enterprise decision-making. While 62% of adopters report gains in credibility and cyber risk awareness, only 36% have achieved action-based results. Gartner advises security leaders to focus on quantification that decision-makers request rather than producing self-directed analyses. 

Impact of Work-Related Stressors 

According to Gartner, a leading research and advisory company, by 2025, nearly half of all cybersecurity leaders will transition into new jobs. A significant portion of these transitions, approximately 25%, will not just be a change of company or position but a complete shift into entirely different roles. 

This significant transition is primarily driven by various work-related stress factors commonly experienced in the cybersecurity sector. These stressors can stem from the role's high-pressure nature, the relentless demand to stay abreast of emerging threats, and the immense responsibility of safeguarding sensitive data. Gartner suggests fostering cultural shifts to manage challenging and stressful jobs in supportive environments. 

Inclusion of Cybersecurity Expertise in Boards 

By 2026, Gartner anticipates that 70% of boards will include at least one member with cybersecurity expertise. This forecast underscores the increasing recognition of cybersecurity's critical role in corporate governance and risk management.

Given this trend, Gartner provides strategic advice to Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). The firm encourages CISOs to actively promote and advocate for the importance of cybersecurity at the board level. This can involve presenting regular updates on cybersecurity risks and initiatives, educating board members about the evolving threat landscape, and demonstrating how cybersecurity measures contribute to the organization's overall strategic goals.

Role of Threat Detection, Investigation, and Response (TDIR) Capabilities 

Gartner forecasts that by 2026, more than 60% of Threat Detection, Investigation, and Response (TDIR) capabilities will utilize exposure management data to validate and prioritize detected threats. This marks a substantial rise from less than 5% today. As companies' attack surfaces broaden, there's an increasing need for comprehensive visibility and a centralized monitoring system for threats and exposure.

As companies' attack surfaces broaden, there's an increasing need for comprehensive visibility and a centralized monitoring system for threats and exposure. VPNs play a role in enhancing cybersecurity. For instance, ExpressVPN, a leading VPN service, offers robust security features and has been highly rated by users and experts.

Emergence of Zero-Trust Programs

Gartner forecasts that by 2026, 10% of large organizations will have a comprehensive, mature, and measurable zero-trust program, a significant increase from less than 1% today. Implementing a mature, widely deployed zero-trust program can be technically complex and requires the integration and configuration of multiple components. Gartner suggests gradually starting small and evolving the zero-trust mindset to manage complexity and better understand the program's benefits. 

Shift in CISO Role 

Gartner anticipates that by 2027, 75% of employees will acquire, modify, or create technology beyond the purview of IT departments, a substantial rise from 41% in 2022. This trend calls for a transformation in the Chief Information Security Officers' (CISO) role from control owners to facilitators of risk decisions.

Gartner advises CISOs to engage closely with employees to guide decision-making processes and ensure they possess the knowledge for informed decisions. This approach fosters a more collaborative and informed technology environment within organizations.

AI and IoT Vulnerabilities

While not explicitly mentioned in Gartner's predictions, the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on cyber security and its implications cannot be overlooked, particularly in the context of DeepFakes. DeepFakes, which leverage AI to manipulate images, videos, or sounds, are increasingly exploited for malicious purposes, including identity theft.

Technical experts at Fortinet, a renowned cybersecurity firm, anticipate that AI will be employed to simulate human behaviors or refine social engineering tactics. This advancement could lead to real-time impersonations that are so sophisticated they circumvent biometric security measures. This emerging trend underscores the evolving challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.

Conclusion

As we draw this discussion close, it's clear that the cybersecurity landscape is set for significant transformations in 2024, as outlined by Gartner's insightful predictions. The increasing prominence of privacy regulations, the shift towards a more human-centric approach in cybersecurity, and the complexities of cyber risk quantification are among the key trends to watch.

Moreover, the growing presence of cybersecurity expertise within corporate boards is a testament to the strategic importance of this field. The advent of zero-trust programs, the evolving role of CISOs, and the emerging vulnerabilities tied to AI and IoT technologies further underscore the need to stay ahead of the curve in cybersecurity.