How Can Cyber Security Professionals Stay Ahead of Emerging Threats In 2024?

Cyber threats have recently become more dangerous and pervasive. In fact, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) received almost 80,000 cyber crime reports last financial year, an increase of 13% from the previous period. Even large businesses in Australia aren’t immune from cyber incidents. In 2022, both Optus and Medibank suffered a cyber attack in which the account details of their former and current customers were leaked. And just this year, digital payments platform Latitude Financial suffered a data breach that leaked sensitive client data.

As such, it's becoming more difficult for cyber security professionals to stay ahead of emerging threats. Fortunately, there are several proactive steps one can take to become more prepared and better protect their organisations. This blog will explore some of these and discuss how Lumify Learn can help.

Understand the current cyber threat landscape

One way to stay ahead of cyber threats is to have a clear understanding of the current cyber security landscape.

Back in 2022, Microsoft Office started blocking macros, a computer program commonly exploited by threat actors to infect computers with malware. Because of this, cyber criminals are now turning to OneNote to spread malicious software. Aside from this, information stealer malware attacks have also been on the rise, which are designed to steal sensitive data such as login credentials, and financial and personal information from infected systems.

Even non-tech-savvy people can now deploy their own malware, increasing the likelihood of individuals and businesses falling victim to cyber attacks.

To stay informed with the current cyber threat landscape, cyber security professionals can do the following:

• Read news and blogs from relevant websites

• Collaborate with colleagues and peers within and outside of their organisation to learn more effective defenses against cyber threats

• Join online forums and industry groups like Australian Information Security Association and Information Systems Security Association can offer networking and information sharing opportunities.

By staying up-to-date with the latest cyber threat intelligence and tactics used by threat actors, cyber security professionals can better prepare for potential attacks, helping reduce the risk of cyber attacks.

Develop and implement a proactive security strategy

Having a proactive security strategy means continuously assessing and mitigating potential vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems and processes instead of simply reacting to attacks as they happen.

Penetration testing, also known as ethical hacking, is one of the best security strategies that cyber security professionals can try. This involves simulating real-world cyber attacks to identify flaws in a company’s networks and applications. This way, security professionals can address problems before attackers can take advantage of them.

Another strategy cyber security professionals can use is to take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, cyber security professionals can use AI algorithms to monitor network traffic and identify unusual activity, such as an unusually high number of login attempts from a particular IP address. AI can even be used to identify new and unknown malware strains by analysing their behavior and identifying patterns that indicate malicious activity.

Finally, it pays to conduct cyber security awareness training at least twice a year, given that human error accounts for 95% of data breaches today. Cyber security professionals can teach employees how they can avoid falling for phishing scams and malware, properly handle sensitive data, and recognise potential threats. This helps create a culture of security within an organisation, where employees understand the importance of cyber security and take an active role in protecting their company's data and systems.

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards

Ensuring that organisations comply with relevant regulations and standards is crucial for cyber security professionals as it establishes essential security requirements. These regulations, such as the Australian Privacy Principles and General Data Protection Regulation, provide guidelines on handling and protecting sensitive data. By adhering to these regulations, cyber security professionals can reduce the risk of data breaches and safeguard their organisation's reputation.

Regular security audits and assessments are an effective way to ensure compliance by identifying any gaps in an organisation's security practices and ensuring adherence to regulations and standards. It's also important to stay informed about changes and updates to these regulations and standards, as they can evolve quickly in response to new threats and technologies.

Enrol in a cyber security training course

Cyber security professionals must continuously hone their skills to stay ahead of cyber threats. One way to do this is to take a cyber security course. These courses can provide in-depth knowledge on the biggest threats, and the solutions, and technologies to protect against them. These courses can also help professionals earn industry certifications, which can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the field of cyber security.

Lumify Learn offers many cyber security courses, whether you are new to the industry or looking to advance their career. These include:

• ICT30120 Certificate III in Information Technology (Elective Focus Basic Cyber Security Awareness): This course teaches students the right skills to protect computer operating systems, networks and data from the constant threat of cyber attacks.

• ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security): This diploma course provides aspiring cyber security engineers foundational skills to promote workplace cyber security awareness and best practices, and the ability to design systems to prepare for and respond to cyber threats.

• Certified Cyber Security Professional: Our boot camp teaches students the necessary skills to troubleshoot, configure and manage common wired and wireless networks and improve baseline security readiness and incident response.

All of our courses are delivered online, so you can balance your studies with their personal and professional commitments. When you complete your course, you also have the opportunity to join our Lumify Edge program, which allows you to connect with industry professionals and potential employers in the cyber security industry.

Don’t be caught falling for cyber threats. Enquire with us on a course today.