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Cyberattacks have become a common occurrence in major industries like information technology, logistics, health care, banking, and government sectors in this digital era. Since technology is evolving by leaps and bounds, the next-level cyberattacks and cybercrime are becoming more sophisticated. While White Hat (Ethical Hackers) constantly strive to protect the companies’ data and digital assets, Black Hat hackers invent new and sophisticated ransomware and spyware. All of this is to illegally steal confidential and sensitive personal data from the targeted businesses.
No matter how strong the organization’s cybersecurity strategy is playing, hackers always strive to find the new gates for deploying the malware and committing cybercrimes by simply purchasing the botnets. This shows the obvious and crucial need for advanced and strong cybersecurity technology while the present ones are either limited or not strong enough for the sudden and sophisticated cyberattacks. In this, let’s get familiarized with the biggest milestones in the history of cybersecurity and the latest noteworthy advancements. Let’s also look into the future of cybersecurity technology since the digital world is becoming highly interactive with web 3.0 to 5.0 and futuristic 5G technology, which poses the debate on privacy and confidentiality.
Cyberattacks and Cybercrimes – An Introduction to Remarkable Events
In simple terms, a cyberattack can be considered as a strike against a computer network, systems, and applications that transfer the control to some unauthorized third person instead of to the owner. Since the world itself is transforming into the digital, it is no exaggeration to state that every 39 seconds, a cyberattack is happening and affecting one in three Americans every year.
Cyberattacks can widely vary from
- Insider attacks (mostly committed by employees),
- Large-scale security and corporate data breaches,
- Ransomworm and ransomware attacks,
- Sophisticatedly designed credit card attacks.
Revolutionary and Notable Events in the History of Cybersecurity
- 1970-1980: First Ever Virus and Anti-Virus
The first-ever Virus Worm “Creeper,” also known as “Morris Worm,” is capable of moving on its own from one computer to another by printing the message “ I’m the creeper: catch me if you can “ that is although harmless which is defeated by the first-ever cybersecurity Anti-Virus program “Reaper.”
- 1987-1990: Vienna Virus and Exploding of the Anti-Virus Industry
“Vienna virus,” which can destroy the random files that occurred in the late 80s and popularity of Microsoft’s Windows OS created a boom in the Anti-Virus market, including Norton and McAfee products.
- 1999-2003: Melissa, ILOVEYOU, Fileless Worm and Cybersecurity Recognition
Melissa created almost the damage of $80 million by sending an e-mail with an “important message,” and ILOVEYOU Virus almost affected >50 million computers by sending an e-mail with “ILOVEYOU” that has a significant impact on even the pentagon and CIA.
Fileless worm is far from detection due to fileless feature, and in 2003 US government finally recognized cybersecurity’s importance due to the boom on the internet.
- 2005-2015: Era of Insider Attacks and Largest Data Breaches
Some of the largest data breaches were at Yahoo which jeopardized 3 billion users’ accounts and OPM data breach.
- 2017-2018: Era of Ransomware Attacks
First-ever Ransomworm “Wannacry” targeted MS OS and demanded ransom payments in cryptocurrency, and the Notpetya Ransomware attack almost affected 13,000 computers which went beyond control.
- 2020 and future: Era of Connected (IoT) Devices
From adventurous hiking controlled by a smartwatch that shows the health parameters including heart rate, BP, etc. to adventurous jumping by pets in the home to catch treats thrown by IoT connected devices and voice assistants, every room, house, street, city, country, and world is becoming smart and connected by the Internet of things.
Biggest Advancements in Cybersecurity
- IoT security and AI and Machine Learning
Internet of Things (IoT) is now updated with the latest cybersecurity infrastructure, enabling the shared and common platform for every item within the household.
AI and Machine learning advancement is sticking to the change adapt and evolve principle, which adapts itself to new threats and acts accordingly.
- Blockchain and Cloud Technology
Blockchain technology gives high-end security by sharing information without the risk of exposing data to outsiders.
Cloud technology itself is cost-effective and optimal and also comes with a high threat for hacking. Advanced cloud services give the security as needed.
- Aware Behavioral Analytics and NextGen Breach Detection
Aware behavioral analytics detects the suspicious file moments and unusual employee behavior along with bio-printing that includes the study of the rate at which employees can type and mouse movements of them.
Zero-day exploits are the go-to for hackers due to the illegal mining of data for several months without being revealed, for which next-gen breach technologies mitigate the same.
- Botnets & Hacktivism
Latest botnets focus not only on the forwarding of info, Including e-mail and passwords but also on sensitive personal information that requires next-level security to defeat them.
Hacktivism is practiced for political or social issues that target companies with many customers.
- Application security and Broader Solutions
The introduction of the security software ensures the application security for all the applications on every device they are using and the devices they are hosted on.
A broader solution is the best effective cybersecurity program targeting a whole class of malware attacks in a single big go rather than individual threat detectors.
- Smart Grid Technologies and SAML Encryption
Smart grid technologies use updated security standards, including padlocks, which enable a gateway for establishing encrypted communication between central systems, field devices, and watchdogs.
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is the encryption that controls cloud-based applications. Bring your device (BOYD) also is controlled by these encryptions to control the corporate traffic and the alert system passes the issues regarding suspicious activities.
Conclusion: Latest Advancements in Cybersecurity and Future of the same
By now, one would have an idea about notable events in the history of cybersecurity and the biggest advancements of the same.
The latest updated cybersecurity advancements include next-gen security against automotive hacking (self-driving vehicles) and insider threats.
Cybersecurity’s future is evident from the information mentioned above. This is a win-win situation for both corporate and individuals for employment opportunities that is a booming sector and can drastically transform in the next 10 to 20 years, which happened likewise in the past 10 to 20 years. A career in the field can be very stable and easily achieved through cyber security courses.
