There’s no question that technology teams experienced significant challenges over the last year: A rapid transformation to remote and hybrid work and sophisticated cyberattacks come immediately to mind. The year ahead promises to bring its own fresh challenges, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. In fact, in a survey of more than 700 technology and business leaders in SMB organizations, 86% say that cybersecurity is one of their top five priorities. Here's what you can expect in 2022 and beyond.

Ransomware will Remain a Pervasive (and Evolving) Threat

We begin with a startling statistic: In 2021, 56% of organizations around the world suffered a ransomware attack. Let that sink in for just a moment. As we head into 2022, the landscape doesn’t look much better, in part because of new and emerging threats; targeted, relentless attacks; and steep ransoms. As these attacks continue to rise, they pave the way for additional phishing, smishing, and other devastating intrusions against your business.  

To complicate the landscape, ransomware thieves are continually evolving their tactics. For example, in 2021, we saw a dangerous new variant in which criminals attempt to exfiltrate all needed data before a business even knows it’s under attack. Which means that your tech team must concurrently evolve its cybersecurity tactics. 

One of the best ways to prevent a ransomware attack in 2022 is to update all software and implement solutions like two-factor or multi-factor authentication as well as a holistic, zero-trust security model. Additionally, it’s critical to invest in a robust and automated backup and recovery solution to protect your information and prevent data loss. After all, if you have a copy of all of your data, an attacker can't really hold anything ransom! For more, please see this post on simple “Do’s and Don’ts” to protect your organization against ransomware. 

Remote and Hybrid Work is Here to Stay (Along with All of its Challenges) 

For many, working from home is the new norm—nearly as many people are working remotely this year as they did in 2020. In 2022, more than 60% of workers expect to be hybrid and nearly 30% expect to be fully remote. But here’s another new normal: Attackers will continue to leverage remote and hybrid work environments to target SMBs, especially those in the midst of digital transformation. For your technology team, the trend toward hybrid work will introduce unwelcome new security challenges in the year ahead, including IoT, cloud security, email threats, phishing, and zero-trust issues.

To stay productive, connected, and protected, SMBs must secure all of their cloud applications and SaaS solutions and prepare for personalized, targeted phishing, as well as sophisticated business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Essentially, this new way of working will require a new set of tools to deliver secure end-to-end access; address application, cloud, and network security; and protect your people and your data.

To thwart attacks, consider adopting zero-trust solutions (rather than VPN), securing cloud apps, implementing an email security solution, and training your staff to spot potential threats and act as your first line of defense. For more, please see this post on addressing the cybersecurity needs of your remote workforce. 

Mobile Malware is the New Attack Vector 

As we all moved to remote and hybrid work, cybercriminals also made a move—to mobile malware as a key attack vector. This year, nearly half of organizations reviewed by Check Point had at least one employee who downloaded a malicious mobile app! The 2021 Mobile Security Report also found that nearly every organization (97%) experienced a mobile-related attack.

In the face of this, how do you secure your operations, your data, your staff? The best solution is solid endpoint protection.

Generally, endpoint protection software will block malware before it infects an endpoint device; the right solution will also eradicate malware that does evade your defenses. We know how important endpoint protection is right now, which is why we've partnered with Malwarebytes to offer comprehensive, best-in-class endpoint detection and response. For more, please see this guide to endpoint security, specifically for SMBs like yours.

The Cybersecurity Skills Gap Persists in 2022

On top of all these challenges, here’s one more: a talent shortage. Simply put, there are not enough skilled technology professionals to meet the growing demand. Reasons for this troubling gap include heavier workloads, unfilled positions, and employee burnout. It’s not just an HR issue; the skills gap can ultimately put your entire businesses at serious risk. 

Even if you intend to grow and hire in 2022, implementing critical cybersecurity solutions remains an urgent matter. Remember, there is no onboarding period for attackers. They aren’t waiting for a fiscal year to end or a quarter to begin. One of the most affordable (and immediate) ways to overcome this skills gap and protect your business is to work with an expert partner, like N8 Solutions. 

We can help you with everything from data security to backup and recovery, and we do it all with an up-to-the-minute understanding of the latest threats facing your SMB. While we can’t predict the next disaster, we can certainly help you plan for it. Uncertainty and disruption is, well, certain, but by implementing the right solutions and strategies, your business will continue to thrive in 2022 and beyond. 

Is your technology infrastructure ready for the new year? Please reach out to book a free IT assessment or get in touch with us anytime to voice your questions and concerns. Please call (262) 288-1501 or complete this form.