5 cybersecurity risks posed by emerging technology – and how we can defend against them

The advance of digital technology is fundamentally transforming industries, economies and the values on which our societies are built.

A new report from the World Economic Forum highlights the enormous opportunities emerging technologies offer, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnologies and the Internet of Things (IoT).

But the optimism of the report, Navigating Cyber Resilience in the Age of Emerging Technologies, is tempered with a warning. As these advanced technologies take on ever more critical functions – often central to national security – a new level of cyber resilience will be required to protect them from attacks by bad actors.

The Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024 revealed almost 56% of leaders believe emerging technologies will hand an advantage to cyber attackers.

Conversely, only 8.9% believed new technology would swing the pendulum in favour of cyber defenders. Deepfakes, malware development and data leaks were among the leading concerns of executives who responded to the survey.

The Forum’s Navigating Cyber Resilience report outlines a new approach required to ensure rigorous cybersecurity as technology advances.

“The traditional mindset of security by design, which focuses on embedding security features into new technologies from the outset, is no longer sufficient in the face of the complex and evolving threat landscape,” the reports states. “Instead, there is a pressing need to adopt a resilience by design approach, which goes beyond mere protection to ensure that systems can withstand and recover from the inevitable attacks that will occur.”

Here are five key findings from the report.

1. A growing attack surface. More than 200 critical and emerging technologies will rapidly expand potential cyberattack entry points. By 2025, 75 billion connected devices will each represent a potential vulnerability. The need for comprehensive and robust security has never been higher.

2. AI’s risk and reward profile. Less than two years after the generative AI breakthrough, new vulnerabilities include data poisoning, model manipulation and adversarial attacks such as AI-driven phishing. On the upside, AI tools can significantly enhance cybersecurity measures. Yet constant innovation will be essential to build advanced and evolving defence strategies.

3. Quantum computing threatens encryption. The immense processing power of quantum computing could render current encryption technology obsolete. There is evidence that cybercriminals are storing data to unlock encryption in the future. An urgent approach to quantum-proof encryption is paramount.

4. Supply chains at risk. Technology-driven global supply chains are vulnerable to attacks by cybercriminals and other bad actors. Robust, end-to-end security measures will be required to ensure an uninterrupted flow of goods between global economies.

5. Defence challenges. A critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals with expertise in emerging technologies is weakening defences. To successfully secure new systems and respond to evolving threats, the public and private sectors must invest in cybersecurity recruitment and upskilling.

“Resilience by design is a paradigm-shifting approach; it requires organizations and policymakers to broaden their focus from merely improving cybersecurity to a full spectrum of advancing cyber resilience,” said Akshay Joshi, Head of the World Economic Forum's Centre for Cybersecurity. “It involves building systems that are not only secure but also flexible and adaptive, with the ability to evolve in response to emerging threats.”

In light of the risks presented by emerging technologies, the report makes a range of recommendations to ensure critical systems are protected.

Investing in research and development and innovative solutions, such as advanced cryptographic techniques and AI-driven tools, will be crucial. Technological progress must be coupled with strengthened government, industry and academia partnerships. These collaborations should focus on collective problem-solving and enhancing cyber skills in emerging technology areas.

As emerging technologies become more embedded in economies, regulatory frameworks and standardization will play a key role in promoting security by design and facilitating international cooperation.

Implementing ongoing monitoring mechanisms and adapting strategies to evolving threats will be essential.

By balancing risks and opportunities, we can maintain a secure and resilient digital ecosystem that fosters innovation while safeguarding our critical assets, paving the way for a thriving and secure digital future.