IT security trends to watch in 2014

Technology changes and advances quickly. Keeping that advancing technology secure needs to happen just as quickly. Here are a few trends to watch in 2014.

The internet of everything

The internet, it’s not just for computers and phones anymore. The internet is reaching far beyond laptops and tablets; it’s being built into homes, cars and televisions. It brings together people, processes, machines and data. As defined by CISCO, the internet of everything as making “networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before-turning information into actions that create new capabilities, richer experiences and unprecedented economic opportunity for business, individuals and countries.”

There are currently more devices connected to the internet than population on the planet. The variety of devices makes it impossible to ensure safety for them all; many don’t even have the memory needed to have anti-malware installed on them. Security will need to be built into the internet of everything itself.

The internet isn’t going anywhere, and it’s changing the world. The time to make it secure is now.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

According to Gartner, the mobile workforce will be doubling, possibly even tripling in the next few years. As BYOD continues to grow, it will put even more strain on IT departments to update policies regarding user-owned hardware and applications. Companies who currently have no policies will need to put some in place, clearly indicating what employees can and cannot do to meet privacy requirements.

Many employees are using their own devices without their supervisor’s knowledge, which means security professionals will need to be diligent in efforts to mitigate risks. At the core of these security efforts will be education for those using their own devices; they need to understand and be motivated to keep information safe.

3D printing

In 2014, worldwide shipments of 3D printers are expected to grow by 75%. The following year, that number is likely to double, according to Gartner. 3D printers are going to change manufacturing, they’re also a new security concern on a national level. The security implications of 3D printers go way beyond guns capable of firing lethal rounds that can get past a metal detector, but that is definitely included.

Developing, modifying and upgrading and manufacturing weapons will become much more agile with the use of 3D printers. Not only will this significantly affect the price of weapons, it will make enforcing export control nearly impossible when the product is software.

Government is going to need to get a lot better at keeping their digital secrets.

It should be an exciting year! Give us your thoughts on the 2014 Security Trends to watch!