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Expert outlines IT security predictions for 2013

With the first month of the year nearly over, businesses are likely ramping up their plans for 2013. As IT security professionals prioritize based on what the most prevalent threats to their organization might be, it is helpful to identify which digital attacks are likely to emerge as the most widespread in the coming months.

Writing for Computer Weekly, Pat Phillips, practice director at independent IT and business change professional services firm Xceed Group, outlined his IT security risk predictions for 2013. Although trending technology such as mobile and the cloud made the list of items that must be addressed, some of the most significant risks may stem from changes in how cybercriminals conduct their attacks. Phillips noted in particular that advanced persistent threats will target a larger variety of industries.

"Enterprises need to be aware that APT attackers have increasing resources to sustain targeted, multi-pronged attacks over a long period of time," Phillips wrote. "To counteract APTs, IT security practitioners need to understand and locate the vulnerabilities that APTs exploit."

One of Phillips' suggestions included improvements in intelligence gathering, which must extend beyond malware research. He emphasized that organizations should evaluate their own practices and policies, ensuring that employees are aware of threats as they emerge.

Companies will also have to be careful as they shift IT security priorities. Research conducted by Computer Weekly revealed that the majority (64 percent) of UK and European respondents don't want to rely on the cloud for security. However, analysts predicted that this reluctance may dissipate. As organizations shift some tasks to technology partners, it will become more important to establish a clear, comprehensive framework for which security features are necessary to protect corporate data.

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