Year-End Letter - 2024
Navigating Cybersecurity: Reflections on 2024 and Insights for 2025
Dear Reader,
As we approach the end of 2024, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued trust and engagement with Total Digital Security (TDS). This year has been a whirlwind of technological advancements and challenges, and I am thrilled to have navigated these waters alongside such a dedicated community. As we celebrate the holiday season and welcome 2025, let’s reflect on the past year, prepare for the future, and reinforce our commitment to “Cybersecurity for Life.”
✔︎ At TDS, we’ve spent this year in the trenches—advising, protecting, and empowering individuals, families, family offices, VIPs, and private businesses—exactly where people and their technology meet. As with years past, we've learned a ton!
In 2024, the landscape of cyber threats reached unprecedented levels, driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and accelerated technological shifts. Meanwhile, innovative solutions like SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), which we refer to as a 'private internet,' emerged as revolutionary tools for those determined to stay ahead of the curve.
Note - For a deeper dive into the topics we write about today, refer to the links under my signature line below.
Cybersecurity 2024 in Summary: Accelerating Risk and Hyper Change
This year, we have witnessed an unprecedented acceleration in cyber threats, paralleling the rapid technological advancements. AI-driven cybercrime has emerged as a significant threat, with deep fakes and sophisticated phishing attacks becoming more prevalent. The rise of “pig butchering” scams highlight the need for vigilance in protecting personal and financial information.
✔︎ In 2024, we experienced a pivotal moment as consumer losses from cybercrime exceeded those of businesses for the first time. Take a moment to consider this transformation: from a negligible figure a decade ago to now accounting for half of all related damages.
Here are our top four takeaways from the field in 2024:
- AI-Driven Cybercrime:
Cybercriminals are actively embracing artificial intelligence to automate phishing campaigns, create convincing deepfakes, and exploit human error at scale.
- Consumer Losses Exploded: As I wrote earlier this year, cybercrime losses among individuals now rival enterprise-scale damages. You are not “off the radar.” Everyone is a target.
- The Fight for Digital Freedom: In an era where digital independence is paramount, the urgency to protect against mobile providers, the national data agency breach, and the escalating misuse of data by third parties has never been greater.
- The Cybersecurity Industry is at the Forefront of AI: With over $300 billion in annual capital investment, a staggering fivefold increase from a decade ago, the industry is driving groundbreaking advancements in AI, revolutionizing the services we offer.
✔︎ This year, we expanded our Managed Network Security (private internet) service with next-gen SD-WAN and SASE solutions ensuring your internet networks and data are fortified with unparalleled protection, regardless of the device you use or your location.
While technology plays a crucial role, it's only one piece of the puzzle. In today's ever-evolving threat landscape, honing your cyber instincts is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself. That's why we've intensified our efforts to equip you with actionable insights and critical thinking skills that you can seamlessly integrate into your daily life.
Through our computer coaching service, newsletter, blogs, white papers, and direct engagements, we strive to be your go-to resource for mastering password management, enhancing browser security, and tackling pressing topics like deepfakes.
✔︎ An informed client is a safer client.
A Look at the Year Ahead: 2025
As we set our sights on 2025, we foresee AI becoming even more deeply woven into the fabric of both cyber defense and cyber threats. The rise of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is set to revolutionize digital security, surpassing traditional VPNs and firewalls with its superior protection and user-friendly design. At Total Digital Security, we are dedicated to leading the charge in these advancements, delivering state-of-the-art solutions that ensure your digital world remains secure, resilient and up to the challenges presented by AI.
✔︎ Just as the threat landscape evolves, so too does the field of cybersecurity. You can count on TDS to be at the vanguard, continuously innovating and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in personalized cyber protection.
Three Things to Expect in Cybersecurity for 2025
I - AI and The New Face of Cybercrime - AI continues to be a double-edged sword. It enables breathtaking advancements but also turbocharges cyber risks.
- Expect more AI-powered phishing, where attackers craft realistic, personalized messages.
- Prepare for deepfakes: Videos, voice messages, and AI-driven fraud designed to manipulate trust.
II - The Death of the Traditional VPN and Firewall - Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and firewalls have served us well but are no longer sufficient.
- Expect SASE "agent" software to replace the traditional VPN.
- SASE providers will bring innovative advancements to their solutions for better security with "zero-trust" levels of protection, AI enhancements, and ease of use for the user.
III - Deep Focus on Digital Autonomy - In 2025, ownership and control of your data will be critical to privacy and safety. This includes:
- Private Email Systems: Moving away from Big Tech to secure, private email domains.
- Private Internet Gateway: Using the power of SD-WAN and SASE to get off the grid of the public internet.
- Reducing Digital Footprints: Minimizing personal information from the the public internet.
Best Practices and Tips for 2025
Following these practical measures assures optimal privacy and cybersecurity for all your internet activities.
- Secure the Three Primary Attack Surfaces - Based on years of experience, we have identified the greatest risks you face:
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- Email: Privatize your email by using your own custom domains.
- Devices: Use enterprise-grade Antivirus and full endpoint protection.
- Networks: Establish a secure, private internet (SD-WAN and SASE).
- AI-Powered Threats – Stay vigilant
- Watch for Deepfakes and AI-enabled scams.
- If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and verify information through an alternative channel.
- Develop Your Critical Thinking Skills - Always question the authenticity of digital information.
- Critical thinking skills are essential in an age where misinformation can spread quickly and be manipulated by AI.
- MFA Everywhere - Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on all accounts.
- Zero Trust - Embrace a zero trust mindset - "Trust Nothing, Verify Everything"
- Do Not Engage: Rule #1 is do not engage.
- Rule #2 is do not engage.
- Ignore unsolicited texts, calls, or emails that request any action. Always verify independently.
- A Smarter Approach to Passwords: A password should be no less than 16 characters.
- Use strong, unique passwords, 16 characters+.
- Manage them with the 1Password password manager.
- Replace weak authentication methods with passkeys when available.
The Daunting Risk of AI in Cybercrime
AI continues to be a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. While it enhances our ability to detect and respond to threats, it also empowers cybercriminals with tools to create more convincing scams. The hyper-rates of change in AI technology demand that we remain vigilant and proactive in our security measures.
As General David H. Petraeus aptly noted,
“If you don’t like evolution, you will like obsolescence even less.”
✔︎ This sentiment underscores the need for continuous adaptation in our cybersecurity strategies.
A Personal Note of Thanks
This year, we've dedicated ourselves to delivering top-tier solutions that are not only powerful and comprehensive but also accessible and affordable. From combating deepfakes to pioneering AI defense strategies, our achievements have been remarkable, and I am truly proud of our collective progress.
To our new members—welcome to our community. To our loyal clients—thank you for your unwavering trust and commitment. As echoed in Gen. Petraeus's words, your proactive approach to security and adaptability fuels my passion every day.
From all of us at Total Digital Security, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a joyous holiday season, and a New Year filled with security, confidence, and peace of mind.
✔︎ Let’s make 2025 a year of resilience and empowerment. I look forward to being your trusted partner on this journey.
With gratitude and best regards,
Brad Deflin
For related reading, refer to my articles below: