We are faced with new challenges but also new opportunities
We present nine technology trends that will bring new challenges for 2020 in the field of network and cybersecurity. While we only concentrate on the most interesting ones, the list is far from exhaustive. The year 2020 will definitely be extremely exciting.
The automation and orchestration increase cybersecurity
SOAR guarantees shorter threat response times
The emergence and implementation of the SOAR solution will allow shorter response times to security incidents.
It will increase productivity and improve the ability to prioritise threats faster than a human.
Albeit it will never replace the human factor, it does add an additional layer of security to prevent the worst threats to the information system.
Concepts and solutions for a simplified network and infrastructure management
Automation is penetrating networks as well
Due to the many functionalities, use of different protocols, and availability of data, conventional work at the CLI level has become inefficient.
The future lies in the automation-based solutions that provide high efficiency and readiness as well as a 24/7/365 service availability. This is achieved by implementing the next-generation network technologies, such as Fabric and Fabric Connect.
Increased trust in cloud computing
Tighter security measures for service providers
The performance of regular security controls and verification of security features lead to greater trust when it comes to the use of cloud services.
The wide range of security solutions that can be deployed in the cloud also contributes to it. This is all the more important since the end-user services will also be increasingly targeted in the future.
The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in network technologies
With artificial intelligence to autonomous networks
Modern networks generate large volumes of traffic data. Combined with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, this will allow us to respond quickly and efficiently to problems emerging in the network management and maintenance processes, even when limited by human resources, experience, and specialist knowledge.
Artificial intelligence can be introduced into different network layers, thus additionally protecting the network.
Security in OT environments is being transformed into an IT science
The data will become the basis of security analyses
Thousands of devices with legacy OS or software, which can be found in OT environments, will soon be placed on the End of Life lists. An attacker can use the vulnerability of devices such as controllers, control systems, and PLCs to reach their target.
The security and protection of OT environments with solutions that ``speak the OT language``, i.e. know and understand OT protocols, and can quickly detect and prevent incidents will therefore become the top priority.
SD-WAN – software-defined wide area network
Intelligent modern WAN networks
Through the SD-WAN concept, we will centralise control functions and application control in the data centre. In terms of connectivity, however, technology allows the combining of different types of WAN technologies.
The driving force of the SD-WAN migration, i.e. the transition from WAN ``legacy``, is to reduce costs as well as increase network and service availability and security.
Increasingly sophisticated impersonation or phishing methods
Scams are about to become more frequent
E-mails will continue to dominate as the most common form of phishing.
Even in the mobile world, we can already observe an increase in phishing attacks occurring through SMS (smishing) and voice messages (vishing).
Machine-based security will help us better identify and prevent such attacks.
Network Building Virtualisation (NFV)
On a standard server infrastructure
With the concept of network devices virtualisation, we will gradually increase the system's capability and, above all, easily and quickly introduce new services. Virtualised and dedicated devices are mutually compatible, since they use standard protocols.
This concept makes it easy to chain services between the network and server infrastructure.
A secure and controlled access to ICT networks
Safety concerns at the very edge of the network
This is becoming an important area because of the increasingly complex and demanding threats, as well as the demands for high availability on networks.
Through the introduction of automated NAC (Network Access Control) solutions, we will effectively provide security, minimise the need for additional resources in the network implementation and operation, and reduce the possibility of human error.
