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As 2024 comes to an end, it is a good time to think about the trends that have shaped the cyber security landscape in 2024. From emerging threats to transformative innovations, this year has demonstrated that vigilance and adaptability are paramount. For Secon, 2024 has been a year of progress and proactive defence. We have worked tirelessly to safeguard businesses across the UK against an increasingly complex threat environment.
The Cyber Security Landscape in 2024: A Year of Challenges and Lessons.
The Healthcare Sector Under Siege.
The healthcare sector continues to be a prime target for cybercriminals. Ransomware attacks have been causing widespread disruption and significant consequences for patients and providers alike. One of the most high-profile incidents in 2024 occurred in June. Synnovis, a key pathology provider for London’s NHS hospitals, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital, was struck by ransomware.
The attack led to a substantial backlog, forcing over 1,100 elective procedures and 2,100 outpatient appointments to be postponed. The attackers exfiltrated nearly 400GB of sensitive data, including patient records and test results. Beyond the immediate disruption to healthcare services, this incident exposed glaring vulnerabilities in medical systems. It underscored the urgent need for robust cyber security measures.
The Synnovis breach exemplifies a troubling surge in cyber threats targeting the healthcare sector. In 2024, ransomware attacks against healthcare organisations reached a four-year high, with 67% reporting incidents, up from 60% in 2023, according to research by Sophos. These attacks not only disrupt critical treatments but also compromise patient safety. Financial repercussions are severe. The average recovery cost escaltaed to $2.57 million in 2024, a significant rise from $2.2 million the previous year.
The rise in attack frequency and complexity highlights the need for proactive cyber security in healthcare. Organisations must prioritise system updates and train employees to recognise phishing and cyber threats. Developing comprehensive incident response plans is equally critical. As healthcare depends more on digital systems, strong cyber security is vital. These measures protect patient data and maintain uninterrupted medical services.
State-Sponsored Threats on the Rise.
State-sponsored cyberattacks have intensified, underscoring the geopolitical dimensions of cyber security. A significant incident involved the UK’s Electoral Commission, which suffered a data breach between August 2021 and October 2022. This breach exposed sensitive voter information, including names and addresses of individuals registered between 2014 and 2022. In March 2024, UK security services attributed the attack to the Chinese government, raising concerns about election integrity and data protection.
The pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16) claimed responsibility for a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against multiple UK local authorities. These attacks disrupted essential services by overwhelming council websites with excessive traffic, rendering them inaccessible. Affected councils included Portsmouth City Council, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council, Medway Council, and Exeter City Council. Although no personal data was compromised, the attacks caused significant operational disruptions.
As we have previously explored at Secon, Local Government face significant challenges in terms of cyber security. However, these incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen national cyber security defences and foster international cooperation to counter state-sponsored cyber threats. They also highlight the importance of robust security measures within organisations to protect against such attacks.
AI: A Tool for Both Attackers and Defenders.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) played an increasingly critical and complex role in cyber security throughout 2024. While it empowered cybercriminals to enhance their attacks, it also provided vital tools for defenders to stay ahead.
AI-Driven Cyber Threats.
Cybercriminals used AI to launch sophisticated attacks:
- Targeted Phishing: AI generated highly convincing and personalised phishing emails, making them more effective at deceiving victims.
- Evasive Malware: Polymorphic malware powered by AI adapted its code to evade detection, complicating traditional defences.
- Deepfakes for Social Engineering: AI created realistic audio and video deepfakes, enabling attackers to impersonate trusted individuals and manipulate victims. More about Deepfakes can be found in our What Are Deepfakes? video.
AI in Defence.
On the flip side, AI proved invaluable for cyber security professionals:
- Threat Detection: AI automated the identification of complex threats, improving response times and reducing manual workload.
- Predictive Analysis: AI analysed historical data to identify vulnerabilities and anticipate attack strategies.
- Incident Response: Automated systems powered by AI handled specific cyber incidents swiftly, minimising damage.
The Battle Ahead.
As AI evolves, the race between attackers and defenders intensifies. Cybercriminals’ growing sophistication underscores the need for continuous innovation and vigilance. Balancing advanced AI tools with human oversight and ethical considerations is essential to securing a resilient digital future.
AI has become both a challenge and an opportunity in cyber security, making it a pivotal area for investment and innovation.
Critical Infrastructure Attacks.
In 2024, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure posed significant risks, underscoring the importance of protecting essential services that underpin daily life. A notable incident occurred on 1 September 2024, when Transport for London (TfL) experienced a cyberattack that compromised customer data, including names, contact details, and, in some cases, bank account information. Approximately 5,000 customers were affected, with their bank account numbers and sort codes potentially accessed.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) led the investigation, working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and TfL to manage the incident and minimise risks. On 5 September, a 17-year-old male was arrested in Walsall on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offences related to the attack. He was questioned by NCA officers and subsequently bailed.
This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure and the potential for significant disruption to public services. It underscored the urgent need for robust cyber security measures to protect essential services and the importance of coordinated efforts between organisations and law enforcement agencies to address and mitigate cyber threats.
Key Trends Across the Cyber Security Landscape.
This year saw several notable trends that have reshaped the cyber security landscape:
The Rise of Proactive Defence.
In 2024, businesses shifted from reactive cyber security measures to proactive strategies to counter evolving threats. Zero-trust architectures emerged as a foundational approach, enforcing strict access controls and micro-segmentation to reduce attack surfaces. Advanced threat intelligence and AI-powered tools enhanced regular threat hunting, enabling organisations to uncover hidden risks. Continuous monitoring through solutions like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) provided real-time visibility across networks and cloud environments. These measures reduced response times, ensured compliance, minimised downtime, and reinforced operational resilience, making cyber security a critical enabler of business continuity.
Regulatory Developments.
Regulatory changes in the UK during 2024 reshaped organisational data protection strategies. Updates to GDPR introduced stricter accountability measures, requiring regular audits, data protection impact assessments, and the appointment of Data Protection Officers (DPOs). These measures emphasised secure data management and greater transparency.
The impending implementation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) in January 2025 drove organisations to focus on compliance, particularly in financial services. DORA mandates robust ICT risk management, operational resilience testing, and stringent third-party risk controls to ensure financial systems remain secure and resilient. Similarly, PCI DSS 4.0 updates in March 2024 imposed stricter encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and enhanced network monitoring to reduce payment fraud and strengthen cardholder data security.
Sectors like healthcare faced heightened mandates, with the NHS enforcing stricter standards to protect patient records after high-profile breaches. Compliance frameworks like Cyber Essentials Plus became vital benchmarks across industries, while the rise of AI and cloud technologies prompted new regulations on ethical AI use and transparent data practices. These shifts encouraged organisations to adopt proactive measures such as encryption, zero-trust architectures, and continuous monitoring, strengthening resilience, fostering trust, and achieving regulatory compliance.
The Importance of API Security across the Cyber Security Landscape.
APIs are vital for enabling digital services but have also become a key target for attackers exploiting vulnerabilities such as misconfigurations, weak authentication, and data exposure. To combat these risks, organisations are adopting advanced API security measures, including gateways for traffic management, AI-driven monitoring to detect anomalies, and zero-trust principles to authenticate and encrypt every request. Automated testing tools, such as vulnerability scans and fuzz testing, are now integral to the development process. Furthermore, adherence to standards like the GDS API Technical and Data Standards, PCI DSS 4.0, and GDPR enforces stricter API security. As APIs continue to drive innovation, ensuring their security is essential for protecting data and maintaining trust in a connected world.
Cloud Security Under the Spotlight.
The shift to cloud environments has emphasised the critical importance of robust cloud security. Misconfigurations, weak identity and access management (IAM), and supply chain vulnerabilities, such as those exploited in high-profile attacks like SolarWinds, remain significant challenges. Organisations are addressing these risks through Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), which rectifies misconfigurations, and zero-trust architectures, which enforce strict authentication and access controls. Encryption of data at rest, in transit, and during processing has become standard practice, while enhanced IAM frameworks help minimise unnecessary access. Strengthening supply chain security through third-party vetting and monitoring has also become a key priority.
Emerging technologies are further transforming cloud security. AI-driven tools analyse behavioural patterns to detect anomalies, while Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) frameworks integrate network and security functions to provide comprehensive protection for hybrid and cloud environments. By adopting proactive strategies and embracing these innovations, alongside following best practices such as those outlined in the NCSC’s Cloud Security Guidance, organisations can secure their cloud infrastructure, achieve compliance, and maintain trust in an increasingly digital world.
Secon’s Year in Review: Achievements and Milestones.
2024 has been a transformative year for Secon. Not only was it the year that we celebrated 25 years as a cyber security partner, but it was also a year marked by growth, innovation, and strengthened partnerships. Our efforts have been focused on delivering exceptional value to our clients, advancing cyber security solutions, and driving meaningful conversations in the industry. Here’s how we’ve made an impact:
Expanding Partnerships with Leading Vendors.
This year, Secon solidified its position as a trusted partner in cyber security by collaborating with innovative vendors to enhance our offerings and deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients:
- Traceable.ai: We partnered with Traceable.ai to bring intelligent and context-aware API security solutions to the UK, addressing the critical need for protecting APIs from emerging threats. This partnership empowers businesses to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities, ensuring their APIs remain secure and resilient.
- Quod Orbis: Secon joined forces with Quod Orbis to elevate cyber security standards, focusing on improving organisational resilience through continuous controls monitoring.
- Vicarius: In collaboration with Vicarius, a leader in AI-powered vulnerability remediation, we expanded our portfolio to help clients proactively address vulnerabilities and enhance their security postures.
- Dope Security: Our partnership with Dope Security introduced next-generation secure web gateway (SWG) solutions, offering clients improved visibility, control, and protection for their web traffic.
- ColorTokens: Secon teamed up with ColorTokens to deliver cutting-edge zero-trust solutions, focusing on endpoint security, micro-segmentation, and real-time threat detection. This partnership reinforced our ability to support clients with comprehensive, zero-trust-driven security strategies.
- Sectigo: Partnering with Sectigo allowed us to deliver robust digital identity and SSL certificate solutions, ensuring secure and trusted online interactions for businesses.
These collaborations underscore our commitment to providing innovative, best-in-class solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Empowering Clients Across the Cyber Security Landscape.
At Secon, empowering our clients with the knowledge and tools to navigate an ever-evolving cyber security landscape has always been a top priority. In 2024, we intensified our efforts, providing clear and actionable guidance on some of the most pressing challenges faced by organisations today.
One key focus was helping organisations adapt to the updated PCI-DSS 4.0 compliance standards. These updates introduced enhanced requirements such as stricter encryption protocols, mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all access points, and advanced monitoring to ensure secure payment environments. Through comprehensive blogs, a webinar with our partner Red Sift, and tailored consultations, we simplified the complexities of PCI-DSS 4.0, enabling businesses to meet compliance deadlines without disruption to their operations.
Another major challenge addressed was the transition to 90-day TLS/SSL certificates, a shift driven by the need for enhanced web security. This change required businesses to implement more frequent certificate renewals while ensuring uninterrupted services. By proactively addressing client concerns, we helped organisations safeguard their online presence while adhering to the new requirements.
Our focus included raising awareness about emerging threats and regulatory developments. We provided insights on zero-trust architectures and AI-driven threat detection. We also highlighted the implications of mandates like DORA and Cyber Essentials Plus. These resources helped clients adopt proactive strategies, reduce risks, and maintain compliance.
By prioritising education, Secon has strengthened our clients’ security postures and fostered resilience and informed decision-making. Our commitment to clear, practical guidance distinguishes us as a trusted partner in addressing complex cyber security challenges.
Looking Ahead to 2025.
As 2025 approaches, the cyber security landscape grows more complex, requiring proactive and innovative solutions. Secon is committed to leading the way. We empower organisations to stay ahead of threats with tailored strategies and cutting-edge tools.
Building on vendor collaborations, we aim to establish new partnerships offering advanced solutions. These include AI-driven threat detection, zero-trust frameworks, and API security. These partnerships will address emerging challenges like IoT, edge computing, and 5G security.
We will continue to focus on client education by providing actionable insights. These will include implementation of compliance regulations and frameworks including DORA, PCI DSS, SO2, ISO27001, and more. Workshops and resources will foster a proactive cyber security culture that builds resilience and trust.
Secon will remain a trusted partner in creating a secure digital future. By strengthening partnerships, expanding services, and empowering clients, we are prepared for 2025 and beyond. We will ensure organisations thrive in an interconnected world.
A Note of Gratitude.
At Secon, we are proud to stand by our clients, safeguarding their businesses and supporting their growth. Your trust drives our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and delivering unwavering support. Together, we will address future challenges, strengthen defences, and build a secure and resilient future.
As we move into 2025, our mission is clear: protect what matters and empower your success in the digital age. To learn more about how we can further support you in 2025, get in touch here.
Here’s to a safe, prosperous, and resilient 2025.