Key Points:
- US released new National Cybersecurity Strategy outlining efforts to secure cyberspace
- Major online marketplace, Genesis Market, was shut down in a police operation
- Concept of “right to be forgotten” on Google searches gained attention
- Biggest ever distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack occurred
- Concerns raised about cybersecurity skills gap and lack of talent in the field
It has been a significant year for cybersecurity, marked by major events and developments. In March 2023, the US government released its National Cybersecurity Strategy, outlining efforts to secure cyberspace and create a resilient digital ecosystem. This strategy is part of a larger effort to strengthen cyber and technology governance, which includes increasing accountability for tech companies, boosting privacy protections, and ensuring fair competition online.
Another significant event was the shutdown of Genesis Market, one of the world’s largest illicit online marketplaces, in a police operation called “Operation Cookie Monster.” This operation involved over a dozen international law enforcement agencies and resulted in the seizure of hundreds of thousands of stolen identities and online access credentials. The platform had offered millions of compromised computer credentials for sale.
The concept of the “right to be forgotten” on Google searches also gained attention in 2023. A Canadian court agreed that its citizens have the right to request the removal of their personal information from the internet. However, this right is not universally recognized, and concerns have been raised about its potential misuse to censor or prevent scrutiny.
In October, the internet experienced the biggest ever distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, with companies like Google and Amazon warning about the potential for widespread disruption. These types of attacks aim to overwhelm websites with bogus requests for data and are becoming increasingly sophisticated and disruptive. The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook points to geopolitical instability, the arrival of AI for cyberattacks, and a lack of cybersecurity expertise as major drivers of such risks.
Lastly, there is growing concern about the cybersecurity skills gap and the lack of talent in the field. Despite the increasing demand for cybersecurity experts, industries are struggling to fill the gap. The World Economic