You might not think about the security of your data on a daily basis, but luckily, there are plenty of tech professionals who dedicate their entire careers to keeping that information safe and secure.
Whether they’re focused on protecting the networks of others, or defending their own sensitive data — these local companies are paying close attention to what’s happening in the cybercommunity at large. We chatted with three Seattle tech companies to learn more about the trends they’re following in the field, and how those developments might impact their businesses moving forward.
DomainTools’ Research Engineer Chad Anderson said cyber attackers could be stepping up their game soon by using AI, which many in the security space will need to prepare for. He said DomainTools — which profiles these attackers and informs risk assessments that assist cyber-defenders — will be focused on keeping its client base in the know about AI and its potential as a method of attack by cybercriminals.
What are the top three cybersecurity trends you’re watching that are significantly impacting the industry?
The erosion of user trust due to breach fatigue is becoming an increasing problem in gaining consumer buy-in for security measures. Additionally, there is an increase in defender countermeasures due to new legislation requiring accountability and reporting for companies. Defenders need to know about attacks and data exfiltration as soon as possible, as they are monetarily on the hook for them in more and more jurisdictions. Lastly, there will be an increased sophistication of attacker capabilities as simple attack surfaces are continually hardened by security teams working on major products like Google’s Chrome and Apple’s iOS. We’ll see commercial hacking tools with AI and machine learning built-in so they can quickly operate on more difficult targets en masse.
Engineers finding ways to operate effectively while reducing the private data they store may be the next big thing.”
What under-the-radar cybersecurity trends are you watching that the industry isn’t talking about?
Attacker AI and machine learning and the long-term effects of General Data Protection Regulation are two areas that the industry may not be worried enough about. AI and machine learning are all the rage on the defensive side but there’s a huge opportunity here for attackers to use these techniques to produce clever attacks. Since attackers are generally motivated by simple and direct goals, the effectiveness of these attacks may be devastating to an unprepared security industry. GDPR is here and a lot of companies feel like they’ve passed the big hurdle, but now, holding customer data is more of a long-term risk than ever. Engineers finding ways to operate effectively while reducing the private data they store may be the next big thing.
How are these trends affecting the future of your company?
These trends mean that visibility is more important than ever, and our efforts towards drawing connections and pivots between different aspects of internet infrastructure help focus defenders on seeing the whole story without getting stuck in the mire. Building tools that interpret the shifting sands of the internet and provide actionable threat data is what we do and what we enjoy doing. The future is more of the same from us.
A fully operational internet network is a symphony of interconnected devices and data transmissions — and Tempered Networks works to protect all the instruments in the orchestra. Senior Solutions and Security Architect Jay Sawyer commented on a myriad of industry trends that the company is working to stay ahead of to help in its cyber-defense efforts.
What are the top three cybersecurity trends you’re watching that are significantly impacting the industry?
Microsegmentation, zero trust, and the security talent crisis are our main considerations in the cybersecurity industry. These three are some of the key features that are part of our security solution.
Microsegmentation and isolation create a new secure network perimeter — a logical air gap — at a time when the network perimeter seems to be disappearing in the industry. Zero trust is the process of “default deny all” in your network and trusting only the devices that are critical to your business. The security talent crisis is still growing and has gone from 70 percent to 91 percent in just several months, partly due to skills gaps and stress levels. To help with the talent crisis, we provide a solution that’s easy to learn and manage, and that doesn’t require years of learned skill to administer.
Whether you’re protecting data in infrastructure technology or data and lives in operational technology, we all can be hacked.”
What under-the-radar cybersecurity trends are you watching that the industry isn’t talking about?
Seven key elements of effective secure networking: identity, security, confidentiality, visibility, resiliency, scalability and management. Additionally, the logical air gap and simplicity. These may be considered under-the-radar today, but they are lining up to become forefront trends for cybersecurity.
Securing today’s networks and their objects is still a complex process. Along with the traditional connect-then-secure process, the security talent crisis, the challenge of zero trust and the need for an inherently secure network perimeter, it’s important for any company to find the best solutions that resolve these cybersecurity needs and issues.
How are these trends affecting the future of your company?
A complicated network provides huge pivot points that tend to attract hackers. Whether you’re protecting data in infrastructure technology or data and lives in operational technology, we all can be hacked. But with a simple and cost-effective solution, companies can stay ahead of and outmaneuver cybercriminals. The cybersecurity community has given great direction for Tempered Networks to extend its work in the industry with our providing a secure, identity-defined microsegmentation solution.
When working in the field of global financial settlements, you have to pay close attention to the latest happenings in cybersecurity. That’s certainly the case for Transparent Systems, whose platform allows for online payments through cryptographic systems. Engineer Justin Grant shared a few things the fintech company is keeping an eye on.
What are the top three cybersecurity trends you’re watching that are significantly impacting the industry?
Fileless malware, the rise of side-channel attacks like Rowhammer, and supply chain attacks are all cybersecurity trends we’re tracking.
Building systems with true defense-in-depth is not optional in our space.”
What under-the-radar cybersecurity trends are you watching that the industry isn’t talking about?
We’ve seen examples of blockchain as a malware delivery mechanism.
How are these trends affecting the future of your company?
We’ve moved toward a zero-trust model that assumes that intruders have already breached any network perimeter. Building systems with true defense-in-depth is not optional in our space.
