2021 tech and cyberattack highlights

As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into its third year, entrepreneurs and IT leaders are still grappling with the all too familiar issues: workplace digitization, remote and hybrid work, cloud migration, and cybercrime.

Suffice to say; the last two years have made a lasting impression in the business tech world. Let’s highlight some of the tech trends that made headlines in 2021 as we prepare for 2022.

Zero-day hacking

A zero-day attack exploits a software or hardware vulnerability before the developer has had a chance to address it through a patch or update rollout. 2021 was a record-breaking year for the number of zero-day vulnerabilities discovered and exploited in the wild.

According to the Zero-Day Tracking Project, at least 83 active zero-days were confirmed in 2021. That’s more than twice as many as those found in 2020.

Log4J2 vulnerability

Speaking of software vulnerabilities, the Log4J2 flaw made a big fuss in mid-December. Tracked as CVE-2021-44228 and assigned a Critical 10.0 severity score, the vulnerability affects one of the most popular open-source Java logging libraries, Apache Log4j 2.

It’s a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability allowing attackers to execute malicious code on a remote device through various input vectors. The vulnerability lurks in operating systems, web applications, firewalls, printers, routers—basically anything running Apache Log4j 2.

The good news is that an update for the flawed Apache Log4j 2 is already available. Upgrading to Log4j 2 version 2.15.0 or higher solves the issue.

5G technology

5G rollout made massive strides in 2021. All the major telecom carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and T-Mobile/Sprint, have solid 5G rollout plans already in action. Phone manufacturers have also stepped up their game to bring the 5G experience to the consumer level.

You no longer have to pay flagship prices for 5G-ready phones. Some decent 5G smartphones such as the OnePlus Nord N10, Samsung Galaxy A13, and Motorola One Ace are now selling well below $500.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)

AI and ML are not exactly new technologies, but developers are always finding exciting new uses for them. AI and ML have been applied in professional and technical fields over the years, including cybersecurity, business intelligence, business process, industrial automation, software development, product design, data science, and predictive analytics.

Here are some of the AI and ML trends to watch out for today:

Intelligent IoT
Augmented analytics
Tiny ML
Edge AI
AI-enabled chatbots
Democratized AI
AI-based user recognition
AIOps
Quantum ML
Automated machine learning (AutoML)

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)

VR and AR technologies started out as a means to introduce immersive gaming in the digital entertainment world. Today, VR and AR have transcended gaming and found practical new applications in marketing, learning, tourism, and conceptual design. Virtual showrooms, tours, in-store navigation, reality filters, and try-ons are now commonplace in various commercial industries.

Internet of Behaviors (IoB)

IoB is a behavioral analytics model that gathers data from IoT devices and other internet-based sources to understand user habits, preferences, and interests. The insights generated from IoB analytics help businesses make informed decisions to improve customer experience.

Anti Data Exfiltration (ADX)

Nearly all cyberattacks involve some form of data exfiltration, where an attacker siphons data from the victim’s network. ADX is an all-new cybercrime prevention approach, building upon the traditional data loss prevention (DLP) methods.

ADX checks outgoing data on endpoint devices on a user-by-user basis. Instead of comparing data traffic against known attack signatures, ADX solutions use intelligent behavioral analytics to detect and flag potentially malicious activities. The ADX tools are lightweight enough to run on end-user devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

The tech world evolves and changes rapidly

New technologies emerge as others become obsolete, and new digital threats pose more dangers to businesses. Partner with CTSI to keep your business in the loop with new technologies, digital trends, and cyber threats.

We offer comprehensive managed IT services to ensure relevance, safety, and efficiency in the dynamic tech landscape. Talk to us to learn more.