Cyber Crime
Expect Heightened Security Risks and AI Efficiency Gains in 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, I believe the cybersecurity landscape is about to undergo significant shifts, driven by a combination of geopolitical factors, technological advancements, and the ever-evolving regulatory environment.
As we look ahead to 2025, I believe the cybersecurity landscape is about to undergo significant shifts, driven by a combination of geopolitical factors, technological advancements, and the ever-evolving regulatory environment.
One of my biggest concerns is the potential shift in focus from Russian cyber actors. As the political landscape in the US evolves, I expect Russian hacktivists and cybercriminals to turn their attention more heavily toward Europe. This will put added pressure on EU businesses, especially those that may not yet be prepared for the NIS-2 Directive.
Without grace periods, many smaller companies will struggle to comply with these new requirements. I can see a significant rise in demand for consultants and managed service providers who can help businesses quickly adjust their processes to meet these compliance standards. It’s going to be a challenge, but also an opportunity for organisations to strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture.
On the technology front, I’m particularly excited about the role AI will play in cybersecurity. I see huge potential in Large Language Models (LLMs) to streamline operations and reduce costs. Tasks like threat hunting, which have traditionally been work-intensive, will benefit from AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. This will allow security teams to respond more efficiently to threats, especially those that require multilingual threat analysis.
But the real shift I’m anticipating will be in how security vendors approach their platforms. Many are expanding their offerings to integrate third-party products, creating more flexibility and cost-effective solutions. This will give organisations more options to adapt and defend against increasingly complex, evolving threats, which is exactly what we need as the cyber landscape becomes more intricate.
There will be a growing urgency to address vulnerabilities. In 2024, we could see around 38,000 to 40,000 vulnerabilities identified, with many presenting immediate threats. This is where AI can both be a help and a challenge. While AI can speed up the identification of these vulnerabilities, it can also accelerate their exploitation by attackers. That’s why I think modernising patch management will be one of the most critical tasks for organisations in 2025. A risk-based approach to patching, where security teams prioritise the vulnerabilities that pose the highest risk to their environment rather than the more general CVSS score, will help optimise resources and ensure that critical vulnerabilities are addressed first.
Looking ahead, the cybersecurity landscape of 2025 will be challenging but full of opportunities for those who are ready to adapt. By embracing AI, addressing vulnerabilities proactively, and meeting regulatory demands head-on, organisations can not only strengthen their defences but also position themselves for success in a more secure digital future.