5 Predictions for Threats to IT Security Services in 2022

2022 is just around the corner, and cybersecurity threats are not going away. The coming year will present old and new challenges for your IT security services. 

While no crystal ball exists, there are some things we can confidently predict about the coming year. With this knowledge, you can take meaningful steps to safeguard what’s most valuable for your organization.

Here are five predictions for cybersecurity threats in 2022 and what it means for your IT security services: 

1. Mobile Malware Will Hit Companies Hard

Everyone seems to be using Apple Pay and other forms of mobile payments. It’s so easy. Just take out your phone and pay for your coffee, medicine, or an oil change.

And it’s here to stay. The credit card will go the way of the two-dollar bill and the penny. We’ll all be paying with our phones before too long. 

But this means that hackers are attacking phones without reservation. In the last year, one or more employees accidentally downloaded mobile malware at 46% of organizations. This statistic is particularly concerning for businesses with hybrid or remote work environments. Your IT security services will need to increase employee education on downloading reputable mobile payment apps on personal and company devices. 

2. Cryptocurrency Will Continue To Present Major Security Problems

Nobody needs to tell you that crypto is all the rage. Everyone’s investing in it, trading it, and cashing in on it. And they’re doing it on their phones. 

So just like with mobile payments, crypto trading is vulnerable to cyberattacks. Because of the rush to get in on the crypto craze, it’s safe to assume app developers have cut corners in security. And in 2022, experts predict foreign governments will attack crypto trades even more. 

IT security services must track trends in crypto exploitation by hackers and bad actors, especially with businesses heavily invested in this market. 

3. Beware of Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the fastest-growing threats to online security, and cybersecurity stakeholders fully expect it to continue an alarming upward trend. Hackers steal precious data and hold it for ransom, requiring a decryption key, online payment, or cryptocurrency in return for your information. 

Ransomware can completely cripple small and medium-sized businesses and have devastating financial repercussions. From 2019 to 2020, ransomware attacks skyrocketed 158% in just North America. The total cost of the attacks rose 200% from 2019. Combating ransomware in 2022 will require proactive IT security services and an intense focus on comprehensive cybersecurity from every entry point.

4. Email Phishing Scams Will Continue To Be A Threat

Email phishing is not new, and it’s not going away. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were around 800 million COVID-themed phishing emails per day. The number of email phishing scams is only expected to rise in 2022.

Work closely with your IT security services to train employees to determine what is and isn’t a legitimate email. 

5. Deepfake Technology Gets Even Worse

With the ubiquity of fake video and audio, we should only expect deepfake technology to be more aggressive and damaging. Deepfake technology manipulates video and audio to imitate real people, a powerful tool in the wrong hands. Recently, a bank manager transferred $35 million to a fake account after receiving instructions via deepfake technology. 

IT security services must invest in protecting employees from even seeing these kinds of deepfake attempts, but further education is needed. 

IT Security Services: Terminal B

In order to protect your clients, employees, and organization, you’ll need to do even more in 2022 to guard against the cybersecurity threats that plague us all. Start investing in a safer future with Terminal B’s IT security services today.