COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Dec. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As
we look to 2020 and a new decade, cybersecurity will continue to be
a top priority for businesses and consumers alike. To help
organizations prepare for the next year and beyond,
Experian® today released its seventh
annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, which
predicts the top five threats businesses and consumers should be
aware of in order to keep their information safe.
The 2020 report includes new ways common technology is being
used for criminal intent as well as what fresh targets - such as
the cannabis industry - will be the most enticing for attacks.
"Hackers are continuing to become more sophisticated with the
tools at their disposal to gain control of personal devices and
business operating systems," said Michael
Bruemmer, Vice President at Experian Data Breach Resolution.
"There has never been a more important time for organizations to be
equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to try to prevent
and respond to a data breach."
Experian's five data breach predictions for 2020 include:
- Cybercriminals will leverage text-based "smishing" identity
theft techniques to target consumers participating in online
communities. As more Americans continue to join like-minded
groups on social media to provide financial support to social
causes or political candidates, cybercriminals can solicit
unsuspecting consumers with fraudulent messages via SMS text to
seek bank account details or other sensitive information.
- Hackers will take to the skies to steal consumer data from
devices connected to unsecure networks. As cities install more
free public Wi-Fi systems, the more than one million drone devices
operating in the U.S. today may be armed with affordable mobile
hacking devices to steal sensitive data from consumers and
businesses on the streets below.
- Cybercriminals will use deepfake technology to disrupt the
operations of large commercial enterprises and create geo-political
confusion. Artificial intelligence technology can manipulate
C-suite executives and government leaders' appearance and voice to
blur the lines of what is real and what isn't.
- Burgeoning industries, such as cannabis retailers and
cryptocurrency entities will be targeted for cyberattacks as a
result of online activism or "hacktivism." As a form of
protest, hackers may seek to gain access to controversial
companies' sensitive data due to their prevalence in society and
increased cash flow.
- Cybercriminals will execute a major hack of the mobile
point-of-sale platforms used to process transactions. The
proliferation of mobile payment options would allow cybercriminals
to access payment data over unsecured networks and target large
venues such as concerts or major sporting events.
To access the full report with a detailed analysis of the five
predictions and what they mean for businesses and consumers, visit
https://www.experian.com/data-breach/data-breach-industry-forecast.html.
About Experian
Experian is the world's leading global information services
company. During life's big moments — from buying a home or a car to
sending a child to college to growing a business by connecting with
new customers — we empower consumers and our clients to manage
their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial
control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter
decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and
organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 17,200 people operating across 44 countries, and every
day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and
innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We
are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a
constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content
hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from
the Group.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Sandra Bernardo
Experian
1-949-567-3676
sandra.bernardo@experian.com
Rachel Sharpe
Weber Shandwick
1-212-537-8742
Rsharpe@webershandwick.com
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SOURCE Experian