Cybercrime Will Cause File Sharing Changes in 2014

Cybercrime is a serious issue and the costs resulting from it are constantly on the rise. File transfers can be very vulnerable to threats, especially given the variety of cybercrime. The most expensive cybercrimes are caused by malicious code, denial of service, stolen or hijacked devices or spiteful insiders.

One alarming statistic is that, in the United States alone, the average annual cost of cybercrime is in excess of $9m. The number of attacks suffered by companies and organisations every week averages over 100. Data security is something every business needs to seriously consider – small firms and large companies alike. In 2014 we will see a shift in how we share files thanks to the ever increasing risk of cybercrime, but how exactly will this be manifested?

Mobile content management issues will be imperative

In order to guarantee security, promote better UX and enable users to make complex documents for better collaboration IT will be forced to evaluate infrastructures by real-time information sharing and streaming.

Third-party apps will be an even bigger issue

Trojan horse apps will disguise themselves as harmless, innocuous apps increasing the threat of malicious software. This is a new technique that will be increasingly used by hackers to attempt the theft of important enterprise R&D, proprietary process knowledge and IP.

IT will be further strained by anywhere, anytime access to files

The latest trend for on-the-go data access means most workers have multiple mobile devices and 2014 will be the year that IT will work on defining frameworks around the use of these devices on corporate networks. Adoption of new IT systems to enable this tool will be driven by workers’ expectation for easy and convenient access to information.

The need for secure file transfers at all levels will be emphasised by big data analysis

Network infrastructure will be pushed to the limit by big data analysis as manipulating and sharing large data will tax existing systems. However, there is a positive aspect to this because acquiring this insight will make IT expansion worthwhile.

Authentication will become easier

Users will not bring a device in to the workplace to use in if they have to enter a pin for every app they use. The search for less backbreaking authentication processes whilst maintaining, or even improving, security will be stepped up. The heavy lifting of authentication will be done privately, invisible to the user and will merge more biometric information (e.g. fingerprints) for access.

More demand for broadband

Existing communication infrastructures will be pushed to capacity by streaming videos, 4K video and other high bandwidth content – and demand will keep on growing. The same is occurring in the corporate world too, as enterprise file synchronisation and sharing continues to expand globally.

Online cybercrime affects nearly every enterprise on the planet, even large organisations like Google, AOL and Monster.com. So do not be fooled into thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’ – everybody is at risk. Unless of course you are a business with no online presence, which is a rarity in today’s technology-relying world.

This article was written by Tom Wills, an IT and technology writer for HANDD, providing Data Security and Managed File Transfer solutions.