Exploring Security Research: Trends and Insights

In today’s fast-changing digital world, keeping up with security research is key for companies. Rapid7 leads in security analytics and automation. They focus on research that uncovers new cybersecurity trends. This helps security experts and stakeholders make smart choices for their Security Operations Center (SOC)¹.

Rapid7’s research points out five important trends for security pros and stakeholders. These trends include boosting organizational resilience, embracing continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) programs, and exploring generative AI.

They also highlight the need for better communication between the C-suite and cybersecurity teams. Lastly, they stress the importance of reskilling in cybersecurity for the future¹.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the role of AI and Machine Learning in enhancing cybersecurity response and autonomous protocol updates¹.
• Recognize the growing importance of IoT security, including the integration of AI, ML, and blockchain technology¹.
• Prepare for the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid growth of remote work and quantum computing in cybersecurity¹.
• Implement robust multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions to mitigate the evolving sophistication of phishing attacks¹.
• Adopt mobile security solutions to address the increasing reliance on mobile devices for personal and professional tasks¹.

Improving Organizational Resilience in Cybersecurity

The digital world keeps changing, making it crucial for companies to boost their cyber resilience. Research shows how important it is to be resilient in cybersecurity. This is due to more cloud use, the rise of hybrid work, and new threats.

Enhancing Resilience Through Cloud Adoption

More companies are moving to the cloud, which means they face more risks. It’s key to improve cloud security². To do this, they need to use strong security steps like zero trust and XDR solutions³.

Addressing Risks from Hybrid Work Arrangements

Hybrid work has brought new security issues for companies³. To stay resilient, they should use secure remote access, train employees on cybersecurity, and control who can access data.

Evolving Threat Environment and Security Investments

The threats in cybersecurity keep changing, so companies must stay alert and invest wisely³. Top companies focus on knowing their assets better, automating security, and managing risks with partners. These steps help make them more resilient.

By focusing on these areas, companies can build a strong resilience base. This helps them handle cybersecurity issues better, making them more ready for new threats².

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) Programs

Organizations face more threats due to cloud use, remote work, and custom apps. Security leaders use Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) to handle these threats. CTEM helps manage threats and tackle the new challenges from these changes⁴.

Expanding Attack Surfaces and Vulnerability Management

CTEM is getting more popular because of the lack of visibility into threats and the use of many different technologies. It helps in monitoring and fixing issues, leading to a stronger security stance and cost savings if there’s a breach⁴.

Piloting CTEM Processes for Threat Exposure Governance

CTEM has five stages: scoping, discovery, prioritization, validation, and mobilization⁴. It helps reduce risks, especially in healthcare where there are more entry points for threats⁴. CTEM finds and fixes weaknesses that attackers could use to get into a network⁴.

It helps sort through alerts and automate which ones need attention⁴. Combining CTEM with digital risk protection gives a clear view of risks and helps fix problems⁴.

Organizations using CTEM could see a 90% drop in severe breaches, says Forrester’s 2022 study⁵. CTEM can bring back up to 400% on investment, showing its value⁵. Big companies have over 250,000 open vulnerabilities, but most don’t lead to breaches⁵.

Only 2% of these exposures are critical⁵. A Gartner survey found 71% of companies could benefit from CTEM, with 60% already using it or thinking about it⁵. Gartner expects a two-thirds drop in breaches for those focusing on CTEM by 2026⁵. In 2020, over 17,000 new vulnerabilities were found, showing the fast pace of cyber threats and the need for proactive security⁵.

“Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) programs are a game-changer for organizations looking to streamline their vulnerability management and mitigate the risk of attack surfaces.” – Cybersecurity Expert

Security research

As cybersecurity changes, security groups are turning to generative AI (GenAI) to see more across different attack areas, find threats fast, and sort out risks automatically⁶. But, there are worries about using GenAI without control, like sharing secret data or facing copyright issues and harming brands with unapproved content⁷.

Generative AI: Opportunities and Challenges

GenAI offers big chances for security research and work. These AI systems can do boring tasks, find threats better, and give insights to security teams⁶. But, they also bring new challenges that need attention.

• AI making content can spread false info, break copyright laws, and hurt brands if not kept in check⁷.
• Adding GenAI to security work makes data privacy a big worry, as secret info might be shared with others⁶.
• Using GenAI without control can create new risks and let bad actors find and use AI weaknesses⁷.

Mitigating Risks from Uncontrolled GenAI Applications

As AI companies keep coming out with new GenAI products, security teams must watch closely and tackle new threats⁸. They need strong security rules, better governance, and ongoing risk checks to use these AI safely and wisely.

By finding the right balance, security teams can use GenAI’s benefits and avoid its risks. This helps them stay strong against complex and changing threats⁸.

“The responsible use of generative AI in security will be a big challenge for companies, needing a thoughtful approach to use these powerful technologies well.”

Improving C-Suite Communications on Cybersecurity

Getting CISOs and the C-suite to talk effectively is key to getting the right resources and support for cybersecurity⁹. CISOs often find it hard to explain why cybersecurity spending is important.

Executives don’t always get the risks of security breaches⁹. Using outcome-driven metrics (ODMs) helps security teams show how their work helps and guides where to spend money⁹.

Outcome-Driven Metrics for Executive Buy-In

Executives want to see cybersecurity investments tied to risk and understand what risks they’re okay with⁹. CISOs can make their cybersecurity plans sound like they’re part of the business strategy. This means having a strong cybersecurity plan, focusing on protecting important assets, and changing plans based on money and new threats⁹.

Transparency and Risk Awareness Across the Organization

Getting the C-suite on board is hard because they don’t fully get the risks of OT cybersecurity breaches⁹. CISOs should work on making the organization more transparent and aware of risks.

This means getting leaders and stakeholders to understand the cybersecurity threats⁹. By seeing cybersecurity as a business issue, not just a tech problem, CISOs can show the C-suite why strong security is important⁹.

The study says cybersecurity and safety should be connected, with investments balanced to lower risks⁹. CISOs can show the value of their work by focusing on key areas first. This approach helps get the C-suite to support strong security efforts⁹.

“9 in 10 respondents claimed to have experienced a cyber incident in the last 12 months.”¹⁰

The need for better communication on cybersecurity is clear. 87% of executives say they’ve given their CISOs more power to make decisions because of more cyber threats.¹⁰ But, one-third of senior executives think their CISOs are too cautious about sharing potential risks with leaders.¹⁰ CISOs need to get better at explaining complex tech ideas to the C-suite. About four-in-ten executives think their CISOs aren’t ready to talk to important people inside and outside the company.¹⁰

Improving communication between security teams and business leaders is key to pushing forward with cybersecurity plans and getting the resources needed. By using outcome-driven metrics, being open, and improving CISO communication skills, organizations can get better at handling cyber threats⁹¹⁰.

Cybersecurity Reskilling and Future-Proofing

The world of cybersecurity is always changing, so it’s key for companies to keep their teams up to speed. Right now, only 70% of the cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. are filled with the right people¹¹. This gap is caused by fast-growing cloud use, new AI, more cyber threats, and companies merging.

Addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap

To fill this gap, companies need to focus on training their current workers. By 2025, more than half of all workers will need new skills for their jobs¹¹. Jobs like AI and Machine Learning Specialists, and Information Security Analysts will be very sought after¹¹. This is because cybersecurity pros need to keep up with new threats and follow strict rules.

Evolving Skills for Cloud, AI, and Vendor Consolidation

With more companies using cloud tech and AI, cybersecurity skills are changing fast¹¹. Quantum computing will soon affect finance and healthcare, and IoT Specialists will be needed more as companies use IoT to improve their operations¹¹.

To keep up, cybersecurity workers need skills in business, AI ethics, and human psychology, not just tech¹¹. This means talent teams and security teams need to work closer together to find and grow the right talent.

Getting better at cybersecurity reskilling and future-proofing is key to solving the talent gap. By always improving their team’s skills, companies can get stronger and keep up with the complex cybersecurity world.

“Upskilling is crucial for closing the cybersecurity skills gap and empowering existing staff to address evolving cyber threats effectively.”¹²

Cyber-Physical Security Convergence

The digital world is changing fast, making it key for companies to focus on cyber and physical security together. Cyber-physical security combines cyber systems like IT with physical systems like industrial control systems¹³. This mix is vital for making companies strong and handling threats that can hurt their work, money, and image¹³.

Threats have grown more complex, hitting many areas at once. Groups aim to harm us for political, global, or money reasons, targeting key areas like energy and finance¹³. Even natural events can mess with our digital systems, showing how fragile they are¹³.

The European Commission has taken steps to boost cyber and physical resilience with the NIS2 Directive¹³. Companies in risky fields are also working hard to manage cyber-physical risks and keep things running smoothly¹³.

Cyber-Physical Security Convergence Trends	Percentage Change
Ransomware attacks surge	87% increase in 202213
Physical attacks on U.S. Energy Grid	77% increase in 202214
Infrastructure and technology threats globally	688% increase in 202214
Transportation accidents globally	211% increase in 202214
Extreme weather threats globally	72% increase in 202214

Companies are now looking to merge their cyber and physical security efforts into one¹³. This method, called security convergence, helps them spot, stop, lessen, and react to risks better¹³¹⁴.

“Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are complex and fragile, with events or cyber-attacks having ripple effects on various sectors, such as banking, oil pipelines, aviation, and medical facilities, with devastating outcomes.”¹³

By joining cyber and physical security, companies can use data to spot and link incidents fast. This makes them stronger against the changing cyber-physical threats¹⁵.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity

AI in cybersecurity and ML in cybersecurity are key to the future of digital safety. They’re changing how we handle threat analysis and autonomous security¹⁶.

Machine learning helps cybersecurity systems learn from past data. This makes them better at stopping and finding attacks¹⁶. It also lets security teams focus on big-picture tasks¹⁶. But, the success of machine learning depends on the quality of the data it uses¹⁶.

AI and ML have a long history in cybersecurity, starting with simple rule-based systems¹⁷. Now, they use lots of data to spot patterns and threats quickly and accurately¹⁷. This helps stop threats before they happen¹⁷.

As AI and ML get better, making sure they’re trustworthy and secure is crucial¹⁸. By 2026, companies that focus on trust will see big gains in success and user trust¹⁸. AI and ML will also change how we fight cyber threats, with new tools for finding threats and predicting attacks¹⁸.

In short, AI in cybersecurity and ML in cybersecurity are changing the game for threat analysis and autonomous security. As these technologies grow, security experts need to keep up and use AI and machine learning to protect our digital world.

Internet of Things (IoT) Security Challenges

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing fast, making it hard to keep these devices safe. In healthcare, IoT helps with remote checks and health trackers, saving money and speeding up treatment¹⁹.

Smart cars use many electronic systems, making them vulnerable and needing strong security¹⁹. Fitness trackers face big cybersecurity risks, trying to keep personal health data safe¹⁹. Smart home devices like thermostats and fridges save energy but can be hacked, risking our data¹⁹.

Robust Security Protocols for IoT Devices

IoT devices are a big security worry, affecting everyone from consumers to governments²⁰. Many devices, like cars and smart homes, have been found to be insecure²⁰. To fix this, we need better security for IoT devices. This means using strong API security, keeping software updated, encrypting data, and more²⁰.

AI and ML Integration for IoT Security

Using AI and ML can help keep an eye on IoT devices and catch threats fast¹⁹. These technologies are key in cybersecurity for IoT, helping with things like spotting unusual activity and keeping data safe¹⁹. By using AI and ML, companies can better protect their IoT systems from threats.

User Education and Blockchain for IoT Security

With more IoT devices coming online, teaching users about security is crucial. Many devices come with easy-to-guess passwords, making them easy targets for hackers²⁰²¹.

Not knowing where all IoT devices are also makes them hard to keep safe²⁰. Blockchain can help secure IoT networks, and teaching users about security can make IoT systems safer.

In summary, the IoT’s security challenges need a wide solution. By creating strong security measures, using AI and ML for detection, and teaching users, we can make IoT safer. This will help protect against the dangers in this fast-growing field.

Remote Work and Secure Remote Access Solutions

The pandemic made remote work more common, making remote work security and secure remote access key²². Companies now need to update their security to protect against cyber threats and support more remote workers²².

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are now vital for secure access to company resources for remote workers²². But, traditional VPNs have had security issues, like a review showing malware in a popular VPN from Pulse Secure²³.

Now, more companies are using Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Privileged Access Management (PAM) to boost security²². Splashtop is a top choice for remote access, focusing on user checks, encryption, and rules for access²⁴.

Other security tools like Single Sign-On (SSO), Web Proxies, Remote Browser Isolation (RBI), and Secure Web Gateways (SWG) help make remote access safer²². Network Access Control (NAC) is also key in controlling and watching who gets into the network²².

With more people working remotely, strong remote work security tools like Splashtop are crucial for keeping data safe and work going smoothly despite new cyber threats²²²³²⁴.

Key Findings	Statistics
Shift to Remote Work	– The pandemic sped up the move to remote work, making secure access solutions a must22. – 83% of employers think the switch to remote work has worked well23.
Secure Remote Access Challenges	– 72% of people think giving access to others is a big reason for securing remote access24. – FireEye found a lot of malware in a VPN from Pulse Secure23. – Hackers find it easy to get into systems because of weak identity security24.
Secure Remote Access Solutions	– Splashtop gives secure access by focusing on checking users, encrypting data, and setting access rules24. – ZTNA and PAM make things safer by not letting users in by default and only giving access if it’s allowed22.

More people working from home shows how important secure remote access tools like Splashtop are for keeping data safe and work running smoothly despite cyber threats²²²³²⁴.

Conclusion

The world of security research is always changing, bringing both good and bad for companies wanting to get better at cybersecurity²⁵. They must balance better security with fast innovation in the private sector. There are also tough questions about using offensive cyber tactics²⁵.

But, this research gives us important advice for companies²⁶. Fighting cyber threats means always changing and using both old and new cybersecurity knowledge²⁶. Strong cybersecurity steps can stop bad actors, making it less tempting for them to attack²⁶.

Companies are working hard to get better at handling cyber threats²⁶. They’re using new tech like generative AI and trying to find more cybersecurity experts²⁶.

The lessons from this research help guide them through the changing world of cybersecurity²⁶. By keeping up with these changes, companies can keep their digital stuff safe and secure in our connected world²⁶.

FAQ

What are the key trends in security research highlighted by Rapid7?

Rapid7’s research points out five key trends for security experts and stakeholders. These trends include improving resilience, the rise of continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) programs, and the role of generative AI. They also highlight the need for better communication between the C-suite and cybersecurity teams, and the importance of reskilling in cybersecurity.

How can organizations improve their resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats?

As more companies move to the cloud, they face a growing need for resilience. This is because their attack surfaces get bigger and security becomes more critical. Improving resilience is key to security investments, given the complex digital environments, hybrid work setups, and changing threats.

What is the role of continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) programs in addressing security challenges?

With the rise of cloud tech, remote work, and custom apps, attack surfaces have grown. Security leaders are now focusing on managing these threats through CTEM programs. This approach helps deal with the new challenges of securing a larger attack surface.

How are security organizations leveraging generative AI, and what are the potential issues?

Security teams are using generative AI (GenAI) to better see threats and quickly spot risks. But, there are concerns about unmanaged GenAI use. These include risks like unauthorized data sharing and copyright issues from untested content.

How can CISOs and security teams improve communication with the C-suite on cybersecurity investments?

CISOs often struggle to get the budget they need due to tough conversations with the C-suite. Using outcome-driven metrics (ODMs) can help. These metrics make it easier to explain the importance of cybersecurity, guide investments, and be clear about risks.

What are the key focus areas for addressing the cybersecurity talent gap?

To keep up with cybersecurity, we need to focus on skills like business smarts, AI ethics, and human psychology. It’s also crucial to work closely between talent and security teams to find the right people.

How is the convergence of cyber and physical security becoming increasingly important?

Cyber-physical security is becoming a big deal for leaders in both the private and public sectors. It’s about linking cyber and physical security together. This is key to keeping systems safe in our fast-changing digital world.

What is the role of AI and Machine Learning in enhancing cybersecurity capabilities?

AI and Machine Learning (ML) are becoming more important in fighting cyber threats. AI helps analyze data to find and predict threats. ML is getting better at spotting and handling new threats, making defenses stronger over time.

What are the key focus areas for securing the growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem?

For 2024, we’re focusing on better security for IoT devices, using AI and ML to catch threats early, and blockchain to secure IoT networks. Teaching users about IoT security is also key to making IoT systems safer.

How can secure remote access solutions help organizations address the security challenges of remote work?

Remote work has made cybersecurity more critical, especially for securing remote access. Solutions like Splashtop are key, offering secure remote access with strong encryption and authentication. They help make connections over various networks safe.