IT Security Threats That Will Affect Businesses in 2017

There is no crystal ball that to seeing the exact IT problems and opportunities that will be encountered each year. However, by looking at past and present IT trends,  we can get a sense of where IT is heading and how the new direction might affect your business.

Here are 3 trends that IT experts are predicting will affect businesses in 2017 and how businesses should prepare for them:

1. Cyberattacks Will Be Smaller and More Personal

“Small is the new big” when it comes to cyberattacks. Smaller, more personalized malware attacks will very likely increase in number and sophistication in 2017.

In the past, hackers have often distributed malware that took advantage of software and hardware vulnerabilities. However, as more businesses are now regularly patching their software and updating hardware, cybercriminals will be putting more effort into fooling humans. Attempts to hack and attack become more personal with phishing emails, social engineering ploys, targeted malvertising, and other techniques to try to trick individuals into infecting their computers with malware.

Take a moment to review and verify unexpected emails before you click attachments, or provide business sensitive (or personal) information. And when in doubt, notify your IT department if you think you have a suspicious email or file. They can help determine if it is a threat before your systems are infected.

3. Malware Attacks against Mobile Devices Will Continue to Rise, Resulting in More Network Breaches

The number of malware attacks against mobile devices rose sharply in 2016 and will likely continue to rise in 2017. The leading threats will be ransomware, banking trojans, and remote access tools.

As more and more employees use their own personal mobile devices for work, the rise in malware attacks puts businesses at risk. Unknowingly, employees could either infect the networks with malware that was on their mobile devices or expose network credentials when they log in to their companies’ networks while using malicious Wi-Fi hotspots.

If your business allows employees to use their personal mobile devices for work, you should consider creating a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that addresses security concerns. PC Corp can provide you with BYOD best practices and help you to implement a policy that fits the way your business works.

4. IoT Market Will Expand, Bringing Opportunities and Challenges for Businesses

In 2017, businesses will increasingly use Internet of Things (IoT) devices to turn off lights, control thermostats, report low inventory, monitor equipment for problems, and perform other tasks. Part of the appeal of using these devices is saving money. For instance, using IoT devices for predictive maintenance can often help businesses save money compared to using a preventive maintenance approach. With preventive maintenance, a schedule dictates when equipment is serviced. In contrast, with predictive maintenance, the actual condition of the equipment determines when machinery is serviced and since upkeep tasks are performed only when needed, companies can save money.

However, implementing these IoT devices can be challenging. Many of these devices are largely unsecured, allowing hackers to take advantage of this vulnerability to infiltrate your systems through the device. Consquently, if you want to use IoT devices, they need to be secured, just like you would secure any other device or machine in your IT environment.

Talk to us before installing any device that will access your network through the internet. PC Corp can help ensure that your new devices are secured and your IT systems protected.

 

Contact PC Corp Technical Services. We Make I.T. Easy so you can focus on your business.

Email: servicedesk@pccorp.com        Phone: 780.917.8281

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