As we look to the year ahead, here are the top seven trends we can expect to unfold.

In January, a White House Memorandum called for U.S. government agencies to identify any encryption not compliant with quantum-proof standards and provide a timeline toward transition. Separately, the French national security agency (ANSSI) recommended the immediate introduction of post-quantum defenses throughout the private sector.

The quantum threat has been rising higher on the global security agenda in recent months as the U.S. National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) finalizes its process to standardize post-quantum cryptography. The new standards are expected imminently.

With cyberattacks — especially ransomware — on the rise, IT teams and security professionals must be on alert as never before.