Predictions for 2018
I wrote a tweet (here) with an amusing list of my predictions for 2018. I thought I’d expand on them with some more details as to why I chose these albeit amusing predictions.
- bitcoin something
- nation state things
- bad .. Bigly bad .. stuff
- ransomware again
- passwords again
- over hyped marketing bs
- AI will not take over the world
- conferences will still be cool
- a robot won’t be doing my job
- it’ll be ok
Bitcoin Something
As this cryptocurrency continues to blossom, rise and fall, so will it’s users – malicious and otherwise. My prediction is that something is going to happen through the Bitcoin/Cryptocurrency ecosystem. No idea what, perhaps a big breach or another exchange Mt Gox style, maybe the blockchain unicorns will be sick one day … who knows. I even think we could see the demise of a cryptocurrency completely. Whatever it is, look out for it making the news.
Nation State Things
Yes, this will be a big thing I think. We are going to discover more Nation State cyber stuff … yes I know that’s good and generic, but whether this comes from Assange, Snowden, or a breakdown of code to identify a Nation State’s methods. There is now enough code examples out there that I think we could be looking at a full iD of a Nation States workings … the question is … which one! My guess ? North Kingdom of Chinastanica
Bad .. Bigly bad .. Stuff
Donald Trump, love him, hate him or work for him … we cannot avoid him. I included him as I expect at some point in 2018 he is going to come under a cyber attack … him personally. I’m not talking someone taking over his Twitter account, I think it will be a much bigger attack. Personalised and will gain significant information about him.
Ransomware again
2017 was remembered for many things, perhaps the biggest was WannaCry making it into national press and I don’t see 2018 as anything different. Ransomware is going to become attractive as the price of cryptocurrency rises, I think we’re going to see more big ransomware attacks. I also think we are going to see cleverer ransomware with new techniques.
Passwords again
No crystal balls required for this one … the top password at the end of 2018 will be 123456 as usual. However, I do think that because of GDPR, I think we may see sites requiring passwords to be a minimum strength
Over-hyped marketing bs
I said it already GDPR… wait till the vendors roll out their software that will protect you from Nation State APT GDPR attacks using DDoS Ransomware. Grrrr.
AI will not take over the world
AI is already over-blown, so much guff is printed about how AI is the best thing since sliced bread. I predict at the end of 2018 AI will still be a pipeline. I don’t mean clever maths algorithms, I mean true AI … not yet. I also predict within this that the automotive industry will classify car AI to be more transparent to drivers as to the level of AI/driver aid a vehicle will have e.g. Class 1 (driver aids) to Class 5 (look no hands).
Conferences will still be cool
BSidesLeeds, SteelCon, BSides London will all continue to rock … I will be really looking forward to going to them all and meeting familiar and new faces.
A robot won’t be doing my job
Bring it on Terminator … but I don’t think you’ll be doing my job quite yet.
It’ll be ok
Unless Mr Trump gets twitchy fingers on his nuclear button (or bio-weapons) then I think we will finish the year in much the same place we are right now … just about OK … surviving … head just above water. Not great, but not game-over either.
What do you think? Am I right? Am I wrong? What did I miss ?
Let me know in the comments below.
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