Since the inception of the internet in 1983, insurance companies specialising in online and digital security have constantly been faced with new challenges due to the ever-evolving nature of online and digital services and processes. The first firewalls were created in 1988 as the first line of defence against online perpetrators, namely hackers and digital thieves.
The term “hacker” itself became a commonly used term for people within the online realm that would “break and enter” your server and computer and steal personal information to use for their own benefit. This could be identity or financially related.
With the emergence of hackers, “cybersecurity” also became a well-known term that was permanently imprinted in the lexicon of insurance and online security companies. From firewalls and amidst a growing number of cyber-attacks, including the ILOVEYOU attack in 2000, cybersecurity measures developed quickly with companies opening departments dedicated to tackling cyber-crime.
More Online, More Security
The digital movement has evolved at a rapid rate but even in the last few years, the amount of online activity has increased significantly. As a result of advancements in technology and software, many businesses have “relocated” their premises to the online world and now showcase their products or services on websites and social media platforms. As a result of the surge in online business, cybersecurity companies are having to develop even quicker to keep up with the demand and even develop new innovative methods to protect against new digital threats.
From Passwords to Facial Recognition Programming
From the beginnings of cybersecurity, online users were content with being creative with usernames and passwords, with the first digital passkey created in 1961 by MIT professor Fernando Corbato. Personal key questions would go on to add another layer of security but even these user privileges were vulnerable to hackers.
Through the introduction of antivirus software in the late 1980’s, via Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Virtual Private Networks (VPN), all the way to cloud based storage, the online world has witnessed an evolution of cybersecurity measures. Antivirus software, SSL certificates, and VPNs also prove that the more basic, more manual measures are still effective.
The SSL certificate feature in particular is one that can easily be checked when operating online. With more and emerging industries and businesses incorporating the transfer of financial information into their daily operations, like the iGaming industry for example, simple checks can still make a difference.
Example
One of the latest trends to hit the online world is online casinos. The iGaming industry has taken off due to the increased activity online and therefore, the need for heightened security when making financial transfers is paramount. For online casino users, websites beginning with HTTPS are evidence of secure websites that have obtained an SSL certificate. Furthermore, on listed EU sites at the Dailystar, a Transport Layer Security (TLS) might also be in action to protect consumer information. These two Layers scramble and encrypt transferred information so it is not readable.
While all the abovementioned measures are still crucial in the fight against cyber-attacks, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence is adding more weaponry to the cybersecurity arsenal.
The Most Unique Password
Such is the natural and rapid development of digital capabilities, we are finally arriving at a point films like Minority Report (2002) warned us about years ago. Coupled with another film to give us a potential glimpse into the future I, Robot (2004), the combination of facial and retinal recognition and machine learning is paving the path to a new, innovative form of cybersecurity. With deep fake technology able to capture close to exact images of people’s faces and forms, image analysis is developing into a more widely used form of authentication and security.
The unique nature of each human being makes facial and retinal recognition the most unique form of verification right now, with companies using these scans to verify users opening new credit cards or to simply unlock a smartphone for example. With the introduction and further use of this technology, the cybersecurity timeline is moving into a new era. With that, security measures will need to continue to innovate to remain one step ahead of online hackers who are looking to break the system.
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