A provider of NetFlow-based security, network and application performance monitoring solutions, Lancope, has recently unveiled its top five security predictions for 2012.

In addition to highlighting the most prominent types of security threats that are expected in 2012, the predictions also explain how the risk associated with these threats will evolve.

One of the most vital predictions is that advanced persistent threats (APTs) will become more popular. The explosion of APTs – also known as targeted attacks – against high-profile companies and government agencies in 2011 is expected to become even more predominant in 2012. Those organizations that come under fire from APTs will be at heightened risk, suffering tremendous credibility and financial loss, according to predictions of the NetFlow v5 provider.

Moreover, in 2012, insider threats backed by malicious intent, and the risks associated with insider breaches, are expected to grow. As they occur within the network and by privileged users such as employees, contractors or partners organizations will have a hard time battling insider threats with traditional security measures that detect attacks from the outside, Lancope officials stated.

In addition, the company thinks that t industrialized attacks will remain stable. As per industry reports,industrialized attacks have been around for several years now, but they no longer represent the peak of sophistication in the world of cyber threats. Since they are seen as profitable however, they’ll continue to be a viable concern in 2012. Company officials said that in 2012, industrialized attackers will focus efforts on “soft targets,” or organizations without tight security.

Employee misuse and abuse will create increased risks in the New Year and company officials said thatthis is a problem that is not going away anytime soon. But, the company predicts that for the most part, malicious intent won’t be part of employee misuse and abuse incidents.“They can, however, open the corporate network up to attack, so they should be considered a fairly high risk in 2012”, according to the company.

The company also predicts thatfully automated attacks will trend down.Traditional viruses and worms have been trending down in recent yearsand will continue to do so in 2012.

“If 2011 taught us anything, it's that the targeted, highly motivated attacker is real. Tomorrow's threat landscape requires a new level of preparation when it comes to security,” Adam Powers, chief technology officer at Lancope, said in a statement.

Noting that security solutions that only block attacks at the perimeter are no longer enough, Powers said that instead organizations should rely on solutions that provide visibility into the internal network, uncovering both external attacks that bypass perimeter defenses as well as dangerous insider activities.