On December 7 we will release our MessageLabs Intelligence 2010 Annual Security Report looking back at the changes in the threat landscape during 2010. We also use the opportunity to look ahead at potential trends for next year. In the days leading up to the publication of the report we will share a few of these trends.

Targeted Attacks Diversify
Targeted attacks remain a significant risk. While the volume of these attacks is low relative to mass spam and malware attacks they are very effective in bypassing all traditional security systems and user training. In 2010 cybercriminals began targeting industries not previously targeted. At one point 25% of attacks were against the retail sector which had previously seen few to no targeted attacks.

In 2011, we expect the range of organizations being targeted in such attacks to become more diverse. This means that attackers will also seek indirect entry into specific industries by exploiting contractors and suppliers, rather than targeting only the executives in each industry sector directly.

Tomorrow: Botnets Evolve with Steganography

Published earlier:
 

• Global Spam Trends: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-global-spam
• Distributed Workforce Drives Security Policies:  http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-distributed-workforce-drives-security-policies
• Security and Services Continue Migrate to the Cloud: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-security-and-services-continue-migrate-cloud
• Making Web Security Work in an Era of Pervasive Threats: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-making-web-security-work-era-pervasive-threats
• Stuxnet Strikes Up Malware Specialization: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-stuxnet-strikes-malware-specialization
• Trending Topics Fashioned to Follow the News : http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-trending-topics-fashioned-follow-news
• Automation Advances Targeted Attacks: http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/2011-trends-automation-advances-targeted-attacks