As we do every year, we will again publish an IT security forecast at the end of 2016 for the coming year. Here are the topics we expect to become most relevant or which will continue to evolve:

Windows 10 and Privacy

The latest generation of Windows offers attractive basic features. However, companies in particular with high security requirements do not want to accept the privacy compromises associated with services such as OneDrive or Cortana. Resistance – especially in the Swiss financial sector – will continue to gain momentum. It’s hard to say whether and to what extent Microsoft will relent.

Cyber Blackmail as a Major Risk

Extortion on the internet will become a more common occurrence. Ransomware, which encrypts data and makes it accessible again only after a ransom has been paid, is now widespread and discovered in ever more sophisticated forms. Meanwhile, threats from DDoS attacks will increase and individual companies will fall victim to blackmail. An early assessment of the relevant scenarios will ensure you’re prepared to deal with them.

Risks of the Internet of Things

Recent events have demonstrated the risks of poorly maintained IoT devices. The number of devices will rise based on demand and a decline in product prices. It is to be expected that wide-scale compromises and DDoS attacks will increase. This will, in turn, fuel the technical and societal discussions about liability.

eHealth on the Rise

The electronic patient file has ushered in a digital revolution in the Swiss healthcare sector. The decentralized, dynamic solution promises greater flexibility and convenience. The digitalization of sensitive data, however, is also accompanied by the risk of abuse and theft. Hospitals, doctors and health insurance companies are compelled to deal with the new possibilities and risks, which is likely to result in a huge boost in cybersecurity in these areas.

Drones for Commercial Use

So far, drones have been used only to a limited extent in a commercial context. But this trend is becoming increasingly apparent, particularly in a society driven by economics. It is likely that it will be implemented in traditional areas, such as parcel delivery and tracking. The social impact is unpredictable for many.

Breakthrough of Virtual Reality

Various vendors are pushing their way into the market with VR devices. These devices are now able to impress with their technical prowess. The affordability of these products will result in a sharp increase in sales. The earliest adopters will be in the area of video games. Commercial use is still underestimated, but is also likely to see strong growth.

Blockchain beyond Bitcoin

Until now, the blockchain has been associated with the crypto-currency Bitcoin. Now the decentralized solution is also attracting interest in other areas and will revolutionize many things in the coming years, including authentication of artwork, documentation of watch sales and management of real estate.

About the Author

Marc Ruef has been working in information security since the late 1990s. He is well-known for his many publications and books. The last one called The Art of Penetration Testing is discussing security testing in detail. He is a lecturer at several faculties, like ETH, HWZ, HSLU and IKF. (ORCID 0000-0002-1328-6357)