Hackers will become more skilled at using encryption as the technology becomes more widespread, and could use it to launch new forms of attacks, according to security experts.

Anton Grashion, security strategist for EMEA at Juniper Networks, told a panel at NetEvents in Barcelona that companies are constantly evolving and that hackers will always move with them.

"Business is changing and the guys who are trying to get in will start using encryption more effectively," he said.

Grashion warned that hackers will see a great opportunity in attacking key infrastructures.

"If they can get malicious code onto your end-point they can encrypt that machine and ask you for money to decrypt it," he said.

Richard Moulds, executive vice president of product strategy at Ncipher, added: "It is almost like a new style of denial-of-service.

"If you can get into an organisation and revoke the key that is used to encrypt back-up tapes, what a fantastic way of denying your business."