ROUNDTABLE: What happened in privacy and cybersecurity in 2021

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In 2021, we endured the fallout of a seemingly endless parade of privacy controversies and milestone cyber attacks. The Solar Winds hack demonstrated supply chain exposures; the attempted poisoning of a Tampa suburb’s water supply highlighted public utilities at risk; and the Colonial Winds ransomware attack signaled cyber extortionist rings continuing to run rampant.

On the privacy front, California beefed up its consumer data privacy regulations even as Facebook and Apple publicly feuded over how each of these tech giants abuse of consumer privacy and loosey handle sensitive data.

Meanwhile, President Biden issued a cybersecurity executive order finally putting the federal government’s regulatory stamp on foundational cyber hygiene practices many organizations should have already been doing, yet continue to gift short shrift.

Last Watchdog sought commentary from technology thought leaders about lessons learned in 2021– and any guidance they might have to offer heading into 2022. More than two dozen experts participated. This is the second of two roundups (click here to view the first roundup) highlighting what they had to say. Comments edited for clarity and length.

Read the full report Bryon Acohido on The Last Watch Do site.