In the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity , foresight is key to staying ahead of emerging threats and safeguarding our digital future . As we approach the dawn of a new year , we turn to preeminent voices in the field to peer into the crystal ball of technology . From the rise of sophisticated cyberthreats to the transformative impact of emerging technologies , we speak to those at the forefront of defending our digital landscapes .

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As the UK ’ s critical infrastructure stands on high alert , cybersecurity firm , Bridewell , spotlights the critical trends and emerging dangers cyber teams must watch out for in 2024 .

Its report , Cyber Security : What to Expect in 2024 , is informed by insights collected through continuous monitoring from its 24 / 7 Security Operations Centre ( SOC ) and input from its dedicated consultants and cyber experts . A snapshot of the challenges on the horizon for next year and in the full report are :

2024 will see RaaS level up the cyber world : The growth of Ransomware-as-a-Service ( RaaS ) will catapult large-scale criminal gangs to enterprise status and level up the lower-skilled crime groups . Ransomware operators with the skills to write software for use by affiliate groups have identified a gap in the criminal market . This is accelerating the professionalisation of cybercrime . Large-scale ransomware groups will achieve the size and habits of major enterprises , adopting departmental specialisms such as R & D and offering defined career structures . The only thing they won ’ t do in 2024 is pay taxes .

The rise of malware that thinks for itself : Forget Terminator , Skynet , or HAL 9000 on the Discovery One spacecraft , AI threats are real and all around us . AI will lower the barrier to entry for criminals but also help with detection in a way no human can , democratising security . AI will enable more sophisticated attack methods such as polymorphic malware , which mutates with every infection , making detection a difficult task . The arms race around AI will become a distinct feature of the next 12 months , as organisations and criminals compete to take advantage of the technology .

Cyber strikes to the supply chain : Supply chain attacks – a constant source of alarm for several years – will continue to pose serious problems in 2024 . The reason is not just that criminals have become very expert in moving through suppliers ’ systems to their ultimate target . Supply chains are , and will continue to be , very difficult to secure end-to-end . As concerns mount , more companies will turn to specialists to conduct assessments of supply chain partners to judge where and how each supplier poses a risk .

An explosion of threats against energy companies : The energy sector faces heightened risk because it ’ s a bargaining chip for cybercriminals focused on politically motivated attacks . It is effectively a weapon of war and an area of major governmental concern , given its critical role in all economies and the sensitivity to price rises among consumers . The International Energy Agency has warned that energy systems are at ‘ unprecedented threat ’ from cyberattacks , particularly in the renewables segment of the market . Green energy technologies will become hotspots for cyberthreats , so the sector must brace for a turbulent year .

Big year for cyber in politics ? Cyberattacks often correspond with major political events , and 2024 will see a UK general election . Preparation will be key as Russia , North Korea , Iran and activist hacking groups all carry their own motivations . Following ‘ the biggest data breach in UK history ’ at the Electoral Commission , the government will certainly stepup security to prevent threat actors from entering networks or disrupting proceedings during 2024 .

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