Opportunities for Security Consulting Services in 2019

How Security Consulting Services Can Capitalize in 2019

You don’t need us to tell you that cybersecurity is in a good place. Following the data breaches of large consumer retailers and Equifax, cybersecurity is no longer a “nice to have.” Like safety belts and airbags in a vehicle, cybersecurity is a company essential. So, what does 2019 have in store for companies in the cybersecurity industry? Here are five trends security consulting services should capitalize on in the new year and beyond.

1. General Data Protection Regulation

In 2016, the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to safeguard European citizens’ privacy from data breaches. While this regulation was implemented in late May of 2018, there is a cry for similar legislation in the United States. But the timeline on that law isn’t a dependency for action. The EU established the GDPR to impose massive fines on those companies found in violation, regardless of the company’s location. If an international company handling the information of EU residents experiences a data breach, they may be subject to fines from the government. Looking for a piece of information to help prospective international customers in their decision-making process? That would be the one to use.

2. Cybersecurity Automation

Automation is a much-used weapon in the arsenal of cyber criminals. With limited manpower, it only makes sense that security consulting services combat these attacks with automated security solutions. Cybersecurity automation measures work to find threats before IT even needs to get involved. These technologies offer much desired time savings and an overall ease in security issues. As currently implemented, automated cyber security measures require human oversight. That isn’t likely to go away in 2019, but their ability to filter threats and potential to prevent human error is noteworthy. While there are concerns of cybersecurity automation misidentifying threats, over-blocking communications and replacing staff, the possibilities of its potential usefulness cannot be ignored.

3. Personal Device Security

As the workplace has grown further and further away from office buildings and cubicle computers, security as a need has grown to match. While there are certainly freedoms to working within a 20-foot range of your sleeping quarters, security solutions aren’t as forthcoming as they might be in a more structured environment. The usage of personal devices is only one example of vulnerability, but it’s a big one. Cellphones and tablets have become increasingly targeted in cyberattacks. This means companies will need security systems that stretch beyond traditional computer software protections. Expect multi-factor authentication to increase with the number of vulnerabilities.

4. Cloud-based Security Systems

From applications to databases and more, cloud-based security systems have become increasingly favorable. The reasoning is simple: they can grow with the company’s demands, they can be used across a variety of platforms and they boast easy integration with their open APIs. While protection requirements may vary in severity across platforms, opportunities to tie in automation also make cloud-based security systems stand out.

5. Vulnerabilities of Security Consulting Services

While you’re absorbed with the vulnerabilities of your clients, don’t forget about your company’s exposure. A perfect example of this? Your mileage reimbursement program. When your mobile workforce is driving to current and prospective clients, they’re putting in business mileage. The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) is the most recent legislation in a trend toward ensuring mobile workers are compensated appropriately. Even more so, now that employees who drive for work can no longer claim their mileage as a deduction on their taxes. There’s no shortage of companies caught up in labor lawsuits for not reimbursing their drivers enough. And the membership fee to join them is not cheap.

We aren’t in the business of predicting trends, but we know this for sure: the need for security solutions isn’t going away in 2019. In a constantly shifting landscape, one development away from a major change, staying on top of the latest is essential. Find out how your company can prevent vulnerabilities in your vehicle program and the potential benefits by contacting us.

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