Cybersecurity: 5 Current Challenges and Solutions

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Table of contents

Artificial intelligence in cyber security

Lack of exp ert s

Zero Trust Security Frameworks

Increasingly frequent attacks on third-party software

Legal and regulatory challenges

Solutions for current cyber security challenges

Sources

In 2024, the field of cyber security faces a series of complex challenges. From the lack of skilled professionals to the rise of sophisticated cyber attacks. For all of these reasons, an organization needs to navigate the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape thoughtfully. Below I will present to you current cyber security challenges and suggestions for solving these challenges.

1. Artificial intelligence in cyber security

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in many sectors, including cyber security. Given the significant labor shortage in the cyber security sector, artificial intelligence technology is helping improve security measures. It helps detect and respond to threats, as it can quickly analyze huge amounts of data that indicate that security has been breached and respond to threats promptly (Sophos Ltd., 2024).

In addition to the good sides that artificial intelligence offers, it also comes with quite a few challenges. Cybercriminals can use AI to develop much more sophisticated attacks. AI tools are capable of creating highly persuasive e-mails, which enable increased effectiveness of Business Email Compromise (BEC) (GBS) attacks (Sophos Ltd., 2024).

It is precisely because of the positive and negative sides of artificial intelligence that it is important that organizations still have human control present, which ensures security through their control over artificial intelligence.

2. Lack of experts

A record 5.5 million professionals are currently working in the field of cyber security, according to the latest “ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study”. Regardless, there is still a global security gap that requires an additional 4 million professionals to protect today’s organizations. Especially in the EU, they face the additional challenges of employee turnover, which already exceeds 20%, and demographic trends (GBS, 2024).

As I presented above, one of the long-term solutions is automating processes through cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, which relieves security teams. In addition, a “hire for attitude, train for skills” approach is essential, focusing on training less qualified professionals and retaining older professionals as mentors to new hires. Using third-party services such as SaaS or managed detection and response (MEDR) can supplement internal resources and provide reliable security for organizations that cannot maintain large-scale in-house teams (GBS, 2024).

3. Zero Trust Security Frameworks

Conventional security models that use network perimeter protection to separate traffic between internal and external channels become out of date. The boundaries between corporate networks are getting more blurred as cloud services are used more often, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, when working from home is becoming more popular. For this reason, the necessity for a new security strategy known as “Zero Trust” is rising.

You cannot trust anyone—inside or outside the network—without additional verification when using the Zero Trust security solution. Regardless of the source of the request, the person must validate the access request. Many organizations continue to resist installing a Zero Trust system, exposing themselves to the risk of security breaches, even though spite of the approach’s proven effectiveness.

4. Increasingly frequent attacks on third-party software

As cybercriminals focus on vulnerabilities in the software used by organizations, attacks on supply chains are on the rise. A security failure at one of the stakeholders in the supply chain can put the entire supply chain at risk. Modern ecosystems are particularly susceptible to this, as they are interconnected.

Organizations can counter this by establishing strict security standards for their relationships with third parties. They should focus on open communication about potential risks, regular safety assessments, and have clear guidelines on how to respond to an incident. I believe it is important that the organization works closely with suppliers, as this way they can identify and eliminate vulnerabilities early.

5. Legal and regulatory challenges

New regulations adopted by the EU in 2023 – Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (NIS 2) further tighten the field of cyber security. The requirements for reporting cyber incidents have become more extensive, and stricter security measures have been prescribed to improve the overall security of organizations.

Organizations must be consistent and strict in regulating their security policies, as they are required by law. Working with appropriate and therefore qualified professionals can help organizations ensure that their security measures are in line with applicable regulations. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in significant penalties for the organization and may also harm their viewing.

Solutions for current cyber security challenges

Organizations must take a holistic approach to tackling cybersecurity challenges. I will present to you some strategies that organizations can adopt.
Artificial intelligence can assist the organization in automatically detecting threats and responding to them, but it cannot completely replace human intervention. Therefore, the responsible use of artificial intelligence is important for the security of the organization.
Given that there is a large shortage of cyber experts in the field, it would make sense for organizations to hire and train staff, thereby ensuring a sufficient amount of staff. It is also possible to find specialized expertise in security services and outsource it.
Reliable verification of an individual’s identity and strict access control are key to securing modern cloud networks. This can also be called the Zero Trust security framework.
It is also important to introduce, develop, and enforce strict security measures and standards for third-party vendors in supply chains. Risks can also be reduced through regular security assessments and regular reviews of communication.
Legislation is constantly changing, so it is important that the organization keeps up with the legislation and introduces regular changes prescribed by the legislation. Regularly updating security policies and working with experts can prevent problems with viewing the organization and legal problems.

The field of cyber security is a complex environment that an organization must navigate. However, with improved security conditions, compliance with legislation and consistent protection against evolving threats, it can successfully navigate this area, aided by advanced technology and skilled professionals.

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