It’s that time of year again—the only way I’ll ever get to Las Vegas in the middle of summer: Black Hat. As the show came to a close, several important themes emerged that will shape the future of cybersecurity. From the vital role of identity and access management to the advanced use of artificial intelligence and the ongoing challenges of cloud security, these trends provide a roadmap for security leaders looking to strengthen their defenses. Here are five trends to keep in mind as we all return to our organizations:
For years, analysts and consultants have been predicting a broad transformational effort around identity and access management (IAM). This year, that sentiment is finally resonating with practitioners. For many organizations, the focus has traditionally been on organizational fundamentals and priorities. However, more security leaders are preparing to bring the IAM discipline into line with the demands of the cloud era. This shift has been driven in large part by the proliferation of credential breaches and identity-related attacks, which have become major high-threat vectors.
(For live coverage of Black Hat USA from SC Media, Security Weekly, and CyberRisk TV, visit our Black Hat USA 2024 coverage page.)
The importance of identity and access management was emphasized through numerous sessions and discussions at the Black Hat conference. Security executives recognize that strong identity and access management practices are essential to protecting sensitive data and ensuring that only authorized users have access to critical systems. This year marks a turning point as identity and access management becomes a core focus for many organizations.
One of the most notable trends at the show this year was the diversity of attendees. Not only were security leaders present, but engineering, IT, infrastructure, and technology leaders were also present in full force. This reinforces the trend that organizational security is becoming a shared responsibility across the entire organization. The proliferation of cross-functional initiatives aimed at reducing risk while improving operational efficiency was evident throughout the conference.
Security leaders increasingly recognize that effective cybersecurity requires cross-departmental collaboration. By fostering a culture of shared responsibility, organizations can ensure that security measures are integrated into every aspect of their operations. This comprehensive approach enhances security and improves overall organizational resilience.
Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic in the cybersecurity community over the past year, and while it remains a hot topic, the conversation has evolved. The initial fascination with new technologies has given way to a deeper understanding of how security teams can integrate AI and LLMs into existing disciplines and tools. The age of AI for AI’s sake has moved into practical applications that enhance security operations.
At Black Hat, there has been a clear shift toward exploring how teams can use AI to improve threat detection, automate responses, and enhance their overall security posture. Security leaders now view AI not just as a futuristic concept, but as a practical tool that they can integrate into their existing frameworks to deliver real-world benefits.
As large-scale cloud migration projects that began during the pandemic reach maturity, securing and understanding the cloud remains a critical priority at all levels of the organization. The influence of cloud security leaders like Wiz was evident at Black Hat, with several new sessions and presentations focused on cloud security best practices.
The importance of cloud security cannot be overstated. As more organizations rely on cloud services, the need for robust security measures such as zero trust and minimum privilege has become paramount. Security professionals are prioritizing cloud security to protect their digital assets and ensure business continuity. The conference highlighted that while significant progress has been made, there is still much work ahead to secure cloud environments in their entirety.
Organizational resilience is now a top priority for many companies, especially those dealing with the fallout from the CrowdStrike IT outage. Security leaders are assessing whether their existing platforms can provide the resilience and adaptability needed to withstand future threats.
Data security has also become a critical focus, especially with the increasing use of external data warehouses like Snowflake and MongoDB. These platforms play a critical role in the adoption of AI and continue to store more and more sensitive data. It is imperative that teams keep up with evolving regulatory and customer compliance requirements. This will require a dynamic and flexible approach to governance.
Key takeaways from this year’s Black Hat conference highlight the evolving cybersecurity landscape. From the critical importance of identity and access management to the normalization of AI and the ongoing challenges of cloud security, these insights provide valuable guidance for security executives. By embracing these trends and fostering a culture of shared responsibility, organizations can improve their security posture and better protect against emerging threats. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of these trends will continue to be essential to maintaining strong cybersecurity defenses.
Rom Carmel, Co-Founder and CEO of Apono
(For live coverage of Black Hat USA from SC Media, Security Weekly, and CyberRisk TV, visit our Black Hat USA 2024 coverage page.)
