Sailing into a New Technology Decade

The year 2000 doesn’t seem that long ago. It was a busy decade in Internet security. 
With the turn of the century, many businesses andCybercriminals were crafty and creative.  The
IT professionals were focused on “Y2K”upcoming decade promises more of the same.  As
which turned out to be no big deal.  In 2000, theyour IT consultant, we want to make sure you stay
iPod did not exist, Windows ME (Millennium Edition)a step ahead.
was released, and Mac OS 9 was still Apple’sSecurity Threat Landscape  The attacks of today
standard.  Throughout the decade a number ofare different than in recent years.  Hybrid malware,
events continued to cement technology into ourcombining the Web and email to carry out
day-to-day existence.  Let’s take a moment tosophisticated attacks, will become even more
reflect back.prevalent.  Narrowly-targeted attacks, which require
The .com Bust   Despite the predictions, the .comthe presence of specific applications to engage in
bust in 2001 didn't really signal the end of themalicious activity, are also on the rise.  Finally,
opportunities the Internet created.  Out of thewe’ll see an increase in “real-feel” of
ashes emerged Google, eBay and   In 2000, Googlephishing sites and emails.  In short, our clients will
launched its self-serve, pay-per-click service. Today,need to be on their toes and IT Radix is here to help.
Google's PPC economy generates over $20 billion inSocial Media  Attacks on social networks is increasing
revenue each year and is, in many ways, thein volume and scope, targeting communities such as
barometer of the Internet economy at large.Facebook and Twitter. Social networks present a
Mobile Maturity  As we begin a new decade, thevery good ROI for cybercriminals using them as a
mobile Internet is a reality.  Consider this:  In Chinaplatform for attacks.  This trend will intensify. 
alone, there are now more than 150 million mobileFriend, Follower, Tweeter, beware!
internet users.  In the US, which has been laggingData Security  Many clients will need to work on risk
the developed world in the adoption of advancedassessments and establishing business justifications
mobile technology—over 20 million mobile usersfor how data is used, sent and protected.  What
access the Internet daily.the focus is will depend on your type of business and
The Rise of Social Media  It's hard to believe thatits size.
the social networking craze started over 6 yearsEncryption  Mobile use will necessitate more
ago when Friendster launched.  Since then, we'veattention to encryption technology.  With more
seen the rise of a broad range of services thatcapabilities on mobile phones and devices  there is a
enable you and me to connect and share online. larger need to protect the information on mobile
“Social media” in all of its forms has impacteddevices.  With the explosion of email in the past
the Internet like few phenomena before it.  And, itsdecade, it’s simply incredible what businesses are
potential reach extends far beyond the Internet tofreely sending via email and the Internet.  Most
things like search, media, retail, marketing, PR andbusinesses are not encrypting email, but could and
customer service.should.  Ensuring appropriate security for data
A look Ahead   As we head into a new decade,“at rest” is also facing increased threats.
mobility, virtualization and cloud computing headlineWhere will all these changes, challenges and
technology trends.  With these new technologiesopportunities lead or end?  Only the next decade
and their inherent rewards, there are a host of newknows.  As your technology partner, IT Radix is
risks to consider.here to help you sail confidently into the new decade.