As we step into 2025, emerging technologies like quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and 5 G are positively impacting businesses. However, these innovations present new vulnerabilities and threats.
Gartner predicts that cybersecurity threats will continue to increase in 2025. That is why businesses must strengthen defenses against these developments.
In this article, we’ll examine some cybersecurity trends for 2025 and how organizations can mitigate these challenges to protect their sensitive data.
20 Cybersecurity Trends in 2025
1. AI-generated ransomware
The frequency of ransomware attacks has increased significantly in the last few years. For example, in the last quarter of 2024, hacktivist groups increasingly incorporated ransomware into their operations.
Moreover, 66% of organizations were hit with ransomware attacks. These attacks are becoming more advanced as attackers use artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out attacks.
2. AI powered SOC co-pilots
AI-driven co-pilots will revolutionize the operations of security operations centers (SOCs) by 2025. These AI tools will enable teams to manage huge amounts of data more efficiently and recommend better solutions.
AI-powered SOC dashboards can automate primary tasks, minimize false alarms, and enable security teams to address incidents faster. The ability to transform large amounts of data into actionable insights will be essential in combating advanced cyber-attacks.
AI-driven SOC co-pilots will revolutionize the industry in 2025 by helping security teams address threats and turn massive amounts of data into actionable intelligence and priorities threats.
3. CIO and CISO roles merge
The widespread adoption of AI and hybrid cloud systems will drive the merger of CIO and CISO roles, leading to a unified approach to risk management.
Moreover, the inclusion of CIOs in cybersecurity management will strengthen collaboration between IT and security teams in 2025.
4. New security regulations
In 2024, many cybersecurity and privacy policies were introduced to address risks associated with emerging technologies like generative AI (genAI). In 2025, regulators will focus on protecting consumer data.
Additionally, organizations will implement more proactive security measures to minimize the impact of cyber threats.
5. Political and election-related cyber-attacks
Several DDoS attacks were thwarted on political and election sites in the US on Election Day 2024. France, the Netherlands, and the UK also experienced similar attacks during their elections.
According to the FBI, ODNI, and CISA, Russia increased efforts to interfere with the US 2024 elections. Moreover, Iran targeted President-elect Trump’s campaign with attempts to spread misinformation.
In the wake of these cyber threats, upcoming 2025 elections, such as those in the UK, Denmark, Poland, and Portugal, might face similar risks. Thus, governments must implement adequate security measures to protect democratic processes.
6. Rise of the secure browser
With the rising cases of data breaches stemming from browser vulnerabilities, safeguarding this digital gateway is essential. That is why organizations must invest in secure browsers to protect against attacks and prevent the intentional and accidental leakage of sensitive data.
7. Governments will invest in smart and secure infrastructure technology
The rise in nation-state attacks on critical infrastructure will make governments prioritize modernized and secure systems. Their efforts will center on adopting smart technologies and protecting both legacy systems and new infrastructure.
Additionally, governments are planning to invest in 5G technology to facilitate smart cities. This will drive innovations in energy, transportation, and public services. However, these advancements are faced with many challenges.
For example, 77% of government and public sector organizations struggle with a lack of visibility into their IoT devices. Also, 66% of transportation organizations have experienced ransomware attacks.
8. Deployment of Single Vendor Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Since workers are no longer confined in the office, they need secure, high-performance access to critical resources in an organization. They need to continue with their work uninterrupted no matter where they are or the device they are using. As a result, companies will need to adopt single-vendor SASE solutions to protect sensitive workloads and data.
9. Rise of AI-specific attacks
The number of AI apps will increase significantly in the next 12-24 months. As organizations eagerly adopt these technologies, they may neglect key issues in data-gathering methods and AI-specific security needs. As a result, we might start to see security incidents, compliance issues, and legal issues this year.
10. CISOs reduce AI adoption
AI saw significant growth in 2024, but we don’t expect the same pace of adoption in 2025. According to Forrester Research, the adoption of GenAI for security applications will reduce by 10% in 2025.
According to the report, one barrier to adoption is an inadequate budget. Another reason for reduced adoption is that customers are frustrated with their current AI experience and fail to perceive its value for security.
GenAI and AI models are hyped for automating repetitive productive tasks in security, such as reporting and analysis, but offer limited support for incident response.
11. Cyber threats targeting identities
Attackers often opt for the easiest way to achieve their objectives. A common tactic is exploiting valid credentials to infiltrate systems. This method has become increasingly prevalent, as demonstrated by a staggering 71% year-over-year increase in attacks using valid login details. This trend is expected to continue in 2025.
12. Quantum computing security challenges
Chinese researchers recently made a breakthrough by claiming to crack the most popular online encryption with just 372 qubits, a significant milestone in computer security. Experts predict that by 2025, quantum computing could be powerful enough to break many modern encryption methods.
Although quantum-based attacks aren’t imminent, organizations must implement preventive measures now. For example, they can transition to quantum-resistant encryption methods.
13. Rise of initial access brokers
The Deloitte Cyber Threat Intelligence team reports an increasing prevalence of initial access brokers (IABs), a trend likely to persist in 2025.
IABs are cybercriminals or groups specializing in breaking into an organization’s systems, networks, or accounts and selling access to other malicious actors. In October 2024 alone, nearly 400 cases of IABs advertising unauthorized access to companies on underground forums were reported.
14. Increased reliance on MSPs and MSSPs
Organizations are expected to invest heavily in managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) to enhance security resilience in 2025. This will help to manage nonhuman identities, including servers, mobile devices, IoT devices, etc.
15. AI agents
Gartner predicts that by 2028, AI agents will be involved in 25% of enterprise breaches. As a result, organizations must implement innovative security measures to safeguard against external attackers or malicious insiders.
16. Time for tech rationalization
According to Palo Alto Networks, security teams are overwhelmed with tools (more than 30 on average), which can be a hindrance rather than beneficial.
In 2025, CISOs are expected to perform security tech rationalization, analyzing an organization’s security tools to optimize their value and remove redundancies and inefficiencies.
17. Attackers show more patience before striking
Some attackers are extremely resilient and aren’t in for a quick hit. They can execute prolonged attacks, as demonstrated by the Volt Typhoon attacks detected in 2024. These attackers remained dormant for at least five years without making any move.
These advanced persistent threats will continue in 2025 and beyond. Attackers will infiltrate systems and stay hidden for extended periods, waiting for the right time to strike.
18. Rise in open source software attacks and legislation
Open-source software attacks have increased significantly. For example, Sonatype, a supply chain management vendor, has monitored over half a million new malicious packages since November 2023.
The Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) predicts that open-source software attacks will continue to increase in 2025.
19. Decentralization of cybersecurity decision rights
Emerging decentralization trends are unsettling conventional cybersecurity oversight frameworks. For example, by 2027, 75% of employees are expected to adopt and adjust technology independently of IT oversight. This decentralization moves cybersecurity decisions to product lines and business units, creating a more fragmented but vibrant security environment.
For cybersecurity professionals, this change will necessitate a dynamic strategy that balances decentralized decision-making with inclusive risk management across business units.
20. Regulation increase and compliance demands
The regulatory environment constantly changes, and cybersecurity stakeholders must adjust to the ever-expanding compliance requirements. Existing regulations will be tightened to compel companies to protect sensitive data.
Phishing (with Ransomware) is still a major threat
Phishing is still a huge cyber threat because it is easy to execute, and hackers benefit from it immensely.
Most hacking groups and scammers plan their malware and phishing attacks using social media. They customize their attacks by collecting data from social media posts, including personal histories and birthdates.
Technological advancements have made phishing more accessible to cybercriminals. They can easily access social engineering data and phishing tools, some of which are automated by artificial intelligence (AI). Usually, hackers combine spearphishing (a technique for targeting executives at organizations) with ransomware.
AI and machine learning enable hackers to find vulnerabilities easily and automate large-scale phishing and ransomware campaigns. After successfully stealing identities, hackers sell or share them with other criminals on the dark web.
Phishing messages increased by 2020% in the second half of 2024. In the same period, credential phishing attacks increased by 703%, according to SlashNext 2024 Phishing Intelligence Report.
Phishing attacks usually accompany ransomware attacks. Powered by automation and AI, hackers will exploit and extort victims at an alarming rate in 2025. Since many networks are still vulnerable to exploitation and firms continue to pay ransom, there will likely be more attacks of this kind.
Global data privacy regulation in 2025
Over the past several years, global data privacy regulations have undergone numerous changes. Gartner had predicted that by the end of 2024, 75% of the global population would be protected by data privacy laws.
As of March 2024, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) reported that data privacy coverage had already reached nearly 80%, surpassing Gartner’s forecast even before the year was halfway.
Data privacy regulation in the United States
Many states in the US, including Maine, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, Minnesota, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, passed data privacy regulations in 2024. This is a new high, as only six states passed privacy laws in 2023.
The privacy laws in Montana, Florida, Texas, and Oregon were enacted in 2024. Also, the laws in Iowa, Delaware, Maryland, Nebraska, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and New Hampshire will come into effect in 2025.
Since most US states still lack data privacy regulations, more laws will likely be passed. It will be intriguing to see if states like Washington, which has repeatedly struggled with privacy laws, advance further in this area.
The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), the newest federal legislation tackling data privacy in the US, was released in 2024. The legislation advanced by incorporating new provisions to address children’s data privacy (“COPPA 2.0”), obligations for data brokers, privacy by design, and other statutes. However, the legislation hasn’t been passed, and the change in government in January 2025 leaves APRA’s future in limbo.
Data privacy regulations in Europe
The European Union has robust data privacy regulations and consistently holds large tech companies to account. Here are two recent regulations that will continue to shape the tech environment for some time.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA)
After the Digital Markets Act came into effect, the six initial gatekeepers, including Amazon, Alphabet, ByteDance, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta, were required to comply by March 2024. Booking.com was given until November to comply.
Additional gatekeepers might be designated in 2025 and some current ones that have been hesitant will start to comply with DMA requirements. Moreover, the gatekeepers might introduce new policies and requirements for their customers in 2025 to ensure privacy compliance on their platform’s ecosystem.
The AI Act and its implementation
While the full AI Act won’t take effect until 2026, some provisions were implemented in 2024, so their impact will be felt soon. These include the rules for general-purpose AI systems and the ban on prohibited AI systems in EU countries.
As training large language models (LLMs) require an almost infinite supply of data, and organizations are reluctant to obtain consent, conflicts will persist between the technology’s needs and data privacy rights.
Data privacy worldwide
Data privacy was a major topic in the news throughout 2024, and the laws and lawsuits covered will continue to dominate headlines and influence privacy trends in 2025.
Emerging threats & vulnerabilities to prepare for in 2025
Here are some emerging threats and vulnerabilities organizations should be prepared for in 2025:
Zero-day exploits
The rise of zero-day exploits across the cybersecurity landscape is worrying. As protective measures have not been developed yet, attackers can exploit systems using these vulnerabilities undetected.
Supply chain attacks
Supply chain attacks continue to be a significant threat and are growing more dangerous because of their widespread impact on multiple parties, including customers, suppliers, and more. Attackers exploit a trusted resource to access not only one organization but multiple entities. This is quite concerning as organizations rely more on outsourcing services.
Remote work infrastructure exploits
Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, organizations have increasingly embraced remote and hybrid work, increasing the risks of cybersecurity threats. Attackers target vulnerabilities in tools that facilitate remote work, such as VPNs, remote desktop protocols (RDPs), and phishing attacks through platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Exploitation of AI and machine learning systems
The rise of AI and its widespread adoption by the public increase attackers’ risks of exploitation. Some of the emerging threats to AI and machine learning include adversarial attacks, model inversion attacks, and data poisoning.
5G Network vulnerabilities
As 5G networks are rapidly being rolled out, threat actors are increasingly exploiting their vulnerabilities. Attackers are targeting 5G infrastructure with ease, opening doors even for bigger threats like DDoS attacks, unauthorized access, and disruption of critical services.
How to stay ahead of cyber threats
Be proactive, not reactive
Organizations should adopt tools that detect, prevent, and mitigate threats before they occur, ensuring systems remain resilient against attacks. These tools can include Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Endpoint Detection and Response EDR), and Web Application Firewalls (WAF).
Educate employees
Your employees should be your first line of defense. Even the most tech-savvy individuals can tricked by social engineering tactics, phishing emails, and malware. So, give your employees comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training to help them detect and evade such threats.
Adopt zero-trust security principles
Zero-trust security undertakes that threats originate from both outside and inside the network. Implementing zero trust involves authenticating every access request to minimize the risk of internal and external threats.
