WatchGuard unveils cybersecurity threats predicted for 2024

In a recent announcement, global leader in unified cybersecurity, WatchGuard Technologies, shed light on the cybersecurity predictions for 2024. As per WatchGuard's Threat Lab researchers, new technologies and developments will pave the way for various cyber threats in 2024. The potential areas of focus include large language models (LLMs), AI-based voice chatbots, modern VR/MR headsets amongst others, with a significant role of managed service providers (MSPs) in combating such threats.

"Every new technology trend opens up new attack vectors for cybercriminals," stated Corey Nachreiner, Chief Security Officer at WatchGuard Technologies. The challenges that the cybersecurity sector anticipates to face in 2024 are demanding due to the ongoing cybersecurity skills shortage. As a result, the importance of MSPs, unified security, and automated platforms is more than ever for protecting organisations from increasingly complex threats.

WatchGuard's Threat Lab team predicts several potential threats in 2024. One key area of concern will be around Large Language Models (LLMs) where attackers could exploit LLMs to leak private data. Given the scarcity of cybersecurity skills and 3.4 million open cybersecurity positions worldwide, MSPs are predicted to buckle up on security services using AI and ML-based automated platforms.

With the prosperous sales of AI spear phishing tools on the dark web, AI-based operations are expected to surge in 2024. These AI-powered applications can perform tedious tasks such as sending spam emails, crafting convincing texts, and gather information automatically. The team also forecasts a spike in voice phishing or 'vishing' calls using deepfake audio and LLMs, eliminating the need for human involvement completely.

An emerging threat in 2024 could be the exploitation of Virtual and Mixed Reality (VR/MR) headsets. According to the Threat Lab researchers, hackers could potentially gather sensor data from VR/MR headsets and recreate the user environment, causing serious breaches. QR code technology's mass adoption could also carry risks. The team anticipates a substantial cyber hack in 2024, as a result of an employee scanning a malicious QR code.

In these expert insights from the WatchGuard Threat Lab team, the focus is on the union of technology and artificial intelligence. With the rapid advances in AI technology and cybersecurity threats alike, entities, whether small or midsized, will foreseeably rely more heavily on managed and security service providers in the future.