CYBERSECURITY THREATS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN THE ERA OF BIG DATA

Abstract

The exponential growth of big data has revolutionized digital ecosystems across sectors. However, this evolution also escalates cybersecurity threats, exposing massive datasets to breaches, malware, and unauthorized access. This paper investigates prevalent cybersecurity threats associated with big data—such as data leakage, insider threats, and APTs—and provides a comprehensive overview of mitigation strategies including encryption, access control, anomaly detection, and compliance frameworks. Emphasis is placed on challenges specific to developing countries like Pakistan, where digital infrastructure is evolving but security maturity remains inconsistent. Case studies, statistical analyses, and strategic recommendations are presented to promote secure big data environments for enterprises, public institutions, and research centers.