Emerging cybersecurity threats change every year – depending on the new technologies that are gaining traction in the digital world at the time. But since 2023, the use of generative AI has levelled up the game multiple times. And organisations are under-prepared for it!

As BCA graduates, you will be expected to help businesses stay ahead of the top cybersecurity trends of the year and keep them immune to the cyberattacks threatening their hard work and position in the market.

Top Cybersecurity Trends Last Year!

Let’s take a quick look at the top cybersecurity trends of 2023 first:

• Ransomware Surge: 

Attacks grew more frequent and sophisticated, with extortionware becoming a dominant trend. Extortionware is a type of ransomware attack that threatens to publicly release sensitive data unless a ransom is paid. 96% of organisations reported falling victim to ransomware attacks in the past year, with 83% paying a ransom. 

• Machine Learning as a Target: 

Cybercriminals increasingly targeted machine learning models through data exfiltration. They are compromising training data.

• Localisation of Cybersecurity: 

Globalisation gave way to a greater focus on local laws and regulations, particularly in data privacy. The localisation of cybersecurity is a growing trend driven by several factors:

Countries are increasingly concerned about the protection of their citizens’ data and are enacting laws that require data to be stored and processed within their borders – making sure that it is not vulnerable to foreign surveillance or interference. Governments are increasingly viewing cybersecurity as a matter of national security.

• High Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals: 

The talent shortage in cybersecurity remained significant, making it a lucrative career path for BCA graduates. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally in 2024 – up from Cisco’s previous estimation of 1 million cybersecurity openings this year

The unemployment rate for cybersecurity professionals is at 0% (for experienced workers, not entry-level positions) – and it has been so since 2011.

• Omnichannel Attacks: 

Cybercriminals exploited the proliferation of communication channels like social media, chat, and SMS to launch attacks.

• The CISO’s Growing Role: 

47% of CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) now report directly to CEOs, highlighting the increased importance of security leadership.

• Cyber Insurance Becomes Pricier: 

Premiums rose significantly due to the heightened risk landscape. It is estimated that the Global Cyber Insurance Market will grow by a CAGR of 25.40% from USD 11998.53 million in 2022 to USD 73368.28 million in 2030.

BCA graduates with knowledge in cybersecurity (who can assess risks, implement security measures, and respond to incidents) are well-positioned to take advantage of this growing demand and build lucrative careers in this field.

• Zero-Trust as the Norm: 

Zero-trust architecture has become the gold standard today. In this security framework, all users (whether inside or outside an organisation’s network) have to be authenticated, authorised, and continuously validated before accessing applications and data.

This approach assumes that no entity should be trusted implicitly, and verification is required for every connection attempt. However, many organisations still face challenges in implementing this framework.

Top Cybersecurity Trends of 2024

We expect our BCA graduates to keep their eyes open for emerging cybersecurity threats and prepare themselves to counter them effectively. Also, they should be aware of the top trends in their chosen specialisation.

Here are the top cybersecurity trends of 2024 you should know about:

1. Threat Hunting & Detection Engineering: 

With 96% of organisations experiencing ransomware attacks in the past year, proactive threat hunting is gaining momentum. 

As a BCA graduate of SMS Varanasi, your skills in programming and system analysis can be valuable in detecting and neutralising threats before they cause harm. You can leverage:

• ‘Programming in C‘ and ‘Data Structures using C’ courses to develop the coding skills needed for threat detection tools and scripts.
• ‘Computer Networks’ and ‘Operating System’ courses to gain essential knowledge for understanding network traffic analysis and identifying potential threats.
• ‘Design and Analysis of Algorithms’ course to be able to design efficient algorithms for threat detection and mitigation.

2. Security Automation: 

As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, organisations are increasingly relying on automation to bolster their defences. 

Your understanding of software development can help you create and manage these automated systems, protecting against common vulnerabilities. You should focus on:

• ‘Java Programming’ and ‘Python Programming’ skills and use them to automate security tasks, such as vulnerability scanning and incident response.
• ‘Software Engineering’ which can be used to develop robust and secure software solutions for cybersecurity applications.

3. Data-Centric Security: 

Data is the lifeblood of modern businesses, making its security and privacy paramount. As BCA students, your analytical skills can be instrumental in ensuring data quality and implementing measures to safeguard sensitive information.

We advise SMS Varanasi BCA students to pay attention to:

• the ‘Database Management System’ course to understand data storage and management crucial for protecting sensitive information.
• the ‘Business Analytics’ course to learn to analyse data and derive insights which can be used for threat intelligence and risk assessment.

4. AI-Powered Cybersecurity: 

AI is transforming cyber defence, with 35% of CISOs already using it for security applications. 

Your knowledge of AI algorithms can be applied to develop intelligent systems that automatically detect anomalies and predict future threats. BCA graduates who have paid attention to:

• the ‘Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence’ course will have a good foundation in AI principles that can be applied to develop intelligent security systems.
• ‘Python Programming’ can go is machine learning roles and create AI-powered security solutions.

5. Emphasis on Cyber Education: 

With the growing awareness of cyber risks, organisations and governments are investing in cybersecurity education.

As a BCA graduate, you can leverage your expertise to train others and contribute to a more cyber-resilient society. Some courses that we offer that might prove useful to you are:

• the ‘Cyber Security’ course that directly addresses the knowledge needed to educate others about security best practices.
• the ‘Communication Skill and Personality Development’ that can enhance your ability to deliver effective training sessions.

6. Increased Investment in Security: 

As cyber threats become more prevalent, cybersecurity is becoming a top priority for organisations. 93% of organisations plan to increase their cybersecurity spending, creating a wealth of career opportunities for BCA graduates in this in-demand field.

‘Management Principles’ and ‘Business Economics’ courses offer you insights into budgeting and resource allocation for security initiatives and can help you reach leadership positions in the industry.

Staying updated with these top cybersecurity trends will ensure you are well-prepared to tackle emerging cybersecurity threats and build a successful career in this rapidly growing industry.