10 Advanced Cyber Security Threats

New threats are emerging in the sphere of cybersecurity, which are getting more diverse, stealthy and complex. In this article, we highlight ten new age cyber threats that organisations must be conscious of and offer ways in how they may be contained.

1.Supply Chain Attacks: These target vulnerabilities within the third-party software or hardware installed on an organisation’s network. Attackers can obtain access to embedded devices during the product development or during update processes to gain access to a bigger network. These attacks can be particularly damaging as they often go undetected until significant harm has been done. Mitigations include having proper evaluation criteria for your vendors, usage of SCA tools and adoption of code signing mechanisms.

2.Fileless Malware: This type of malware operates secretly by utilising as much as the normal system chores as possible. Ideally, it can exist in the memory space or leverage on native tools for saving and running instructions. Endpoint detection and response solutions that go beyond simple file-based detection and response, memory forensics and to focus on behaviour and not solely on file signatures for defence are strategic for defence.

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3.Ransomware-as-a-Service: RaaS model basically commoditizes ransomware attacks, making them accessible to less skilled actors. RaaS providers are engaged in the provision of malware kits, necessary infrastructures as well as services that involve conducting negotiations. It was established that companies should consider security awareness of employees and making data backups almost impregnable to takeover.

4.Internet of Things (IoT) Threats: Notably, the lack of security protocols on most IoT devices is cause for concern since it provides the hackers with a broad surface to attack. These devices can be used by attackers to perform damaging activities such as carrying out botnet attacks, stealing information, or even interfering with key facilities. Isolation of networks, robust device identification, and patching vulnerabilities are useful for risk management.

5.Deepfakes and Synthetic Media: They can be employed to conduct social engineering actions, using believable audio or video materials to deceive victims posing as familiar members of the target company. Mitigation involves multi-factor authentication and user education on spotting deep fakes.

6.Cloud Jacking:  It is possible for hackers to intercept cloud resources or steal sensitive information from the cloud infrastructure. As more organisations move to the cloud, the risks associated with cloud security increase. Measures include proper implementation of the access controls, activity monitoring mechanisms and use of encryption techniques on the sensitive data.

7.Zero-Day Attacks: These act on new uncharted weaknesses, thus are rather tricky and challenging to combat. Security analysts are crucial to discovering zero-days and firms should update programs urgently, and adopt IDS/IPS systems.

8.Lateral Movement:  After the initial infiltration step, the attacker proceeds to lateral movement within a network to compromise the critical asset. Lateral movement can be mitigated by network segmentation, enabling only the absolute level of necessary user access, and utilising User Behavior Analytics (UBA) to detect abnormal behaviour patterns indicative of lateral movement, focusing on deviations from typical user activity.

9.Fileless Lateral Movement:  Similar to fileless malware, attackers can leverage legitimate tools and scripts to move laterally through a network without dropping files on disk. EDR solutions with advanced behaviour monitoring capabilities are crucial for detection. Also implement application whitelisting to control which applications can run on your network, reducing the risk of unauthorised tools being used.

10.Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): These are well coordinated and organised by sophisticated enemies with strategic motive in mind, it’s a long term warfare. APTs may use these techniques individually or in conjunction to gain unauthorised access to systems, steal information or sabotage their targets’ activities. These threats are often well-funded and highly targeted. APT threat analysis and scenario planning should be conducted continually. Implementing a layered security approach, combining multiple defensive measures to create a robust security posture in the organisation could also be effective in combating APTs.

Conclusion:

Multi-layered approach to tackle advanced cyber security threats is essential for organisations focusing on securing their digital landscape. Advanced detection and response tools are imperative in this regard. Deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and user behaviour analytics (UBA) enables organisations to identify strange behaviours, respond to incidents instantly, and collect forensic data for deep investigations.

A layered security approach incorporates multiple layers of security controls so as to minimise risks emanating from a single point of failure. This kind of approach offers more robust defence against intricate attacks because even if one layer gets compromised others are still intact protecting vital assets.

Through the implementation of these measures organisations can improve their security level significantly while at the same time mitigating the risk of falling prey to advanced cyber-security threats. In this rapidly changing world where challenges become more complex every other day, proactive defence mechanisms, vigilance through continuous monitoring and education should never be underestimated in order to outwit our adversaries on cyberspace or other information systems platforms.