The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by advancements in technology, increased cyber threats, and stricter regulations. And with 2025 around the corner, the stakes are higher than ever. One report by Cybersecurity Ventures tells the story of a cybersecurity space entering into critical times, noting that cybercrime is expected to cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
With this in mind, it’s essential to know what the most compelling cybersecurity trends of 2025 will be and explore how businesses can prepare for the emerging challenges ahead. These ten trends draw from research and expert insights from leaders across several verticals in the cybersecurity world.
1. Increased adoption of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity
AI is reshaping cybersecurity, enabling faster, more accurate threat detection and response. According to MarketsandMarkets, the “AI in cybersecurity market, which was valued at $22.4 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $60.6 billion by 2028.” This surge in AI use is driven by the need for real-time data analysis and incident response capabilities that can identify anomalies before they escalate.
As cybersecurity analyst Funso Richards explains, “AI in cybersecurity has gone from nice-to-have to must-have. The level of threat sophistication outpaces human capacity; AI-driven threat detection and automation are critical.” He emphasizes that AI will play a central role in adaptive, predictive defenses.
AI isn’t without its challenges, however. “Adversarial AI— where cybercriminals use AI to evade detection— is a rising threat. This puts companies in an arms race, continuously adapting their AI systems to outsmart malicious actors using similar technology,” a previous article on Information Security Buzz notes.
2. The rise of SaaS security posture management (SSPM)
With SaaS platforms becoming an integral part of business operations, SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) is crucial for reducing risks associated with cloud-based applications. Gartner
According to Gartner, 85% of businesses will incorporate SaaS technologies into their daily operations by 2025, which could result in security flaws. This is driving a greater need for SaaS security with a strong push for SSPM, and experts predict the trend will grow even stronger in 2025.
For Gal Nakash, co-founder and CPO at identity-based SaaS security company Reco, the rise of SasS adoption is fueling the need for businesses to enforce stricter measures to protect their critical data assets— and this is where SSPM comes in. “SSPM offers insight into user permissions, data-sharing policies, and SaaS application settings. By making sure every SaaS platform complies with an organization’s security guidelines, it assists organizations in preventing data leaks and illegal access,” he adds.
3. More data privacy regulations
Data privacy laws are getting tighter globally, compelling companies to improve how they handle and protect personal data. India and Brazil have introduced comprehensive data privacy regulations, following the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has already led to over $1 billion in fines since 2018, according to Statista.
California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) is another data privacy framework with stricter compliance requirements for companies that handle Californian residents’ data. Non-compliance with these laws not only results in heavy fines but can also severely damage a company’s reputation.
The trends suggest that regulations will become even stiffer this year, especially as AI continues to gain widespread adoption and concerns on using the technology responsibly continue to grow. Hence, businesses are prioritizing regulatory compliance and investing in privacy-enhancing technologies like data masking and pseudonymization.
4. The zero trust architecture grows bigger
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) has emerged as a key cybersecurity model, especially for distributed workforces. ZTA, which follows the principle of “never trust, always verify,” requires strict identity verification for every individual and device accessing a network. In the 2024 Zero Trust Impact Report by Okta, 97% of organizations expressed plans to increase ZTA adoption to bolster security.
This shift towards Zero Trust is pivotal in combating insider threats and lateral movement within networks. As John Kindervag, creator of ZTA, notes “The hallmark of zero trust is simplicity. When every user, packet, network interface, and device is untrusted, protecting assets becomes simple. To reduce the complexity of cybersecurity environments, organizations can prioritize security technologies and tools that support simplicity by automating repetitive and manual tasks, integrating and managing multiple security tools and systems, and auto remediating known vulnerabilities.”
5. IoT security threats boom
While the Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed industries, it also exposes businesses to new cybersecurity risks. IoT devices, forecasted to exceed 25 billion globally by 2030 according to Statista, often lack adequate security features, making them prime targets for attackers. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 75% of IoT security spending will focus on device management and identity authentication.
In industries like healthcare, compromised IoT devices can have life-threatening consequences, as highlighted by Deloitte in their 2024 IoT Cybersecurity Report. Implementing strong authentication, regular firmware updates, and segmentation of IoT networks will be essential to reduce IoT vulnerabilities.
6. Proliferation of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) gangs and ransomware attacks
In 2024 alone, ransomware accounted for 23% of cyber insurance claims according to Information Security Buzz. Furthermore, experts from Cybersecurity Ventures predict that by 2031, ransomware will cost victims $265 billion annually, and it will attack a business, consumer, or device every 2 seconds; indicating that cybercriminals are more aggressive in their demands. Without a doubt RaaS gangs are launching ransomware attacks at scale and wreaking havoc across industries across the globe.
What this means is that CISOs and cybersecurity teams will be devoting more time than ever to protect against ransomware. According to Steve Morgan, Editor-in-Chief at Cybersecurity Ventures, “Ransomware will cost its victims around $265 billion (USD) annually by 2031, with a new attack (on a consumer or business) every 2 seconds as ransomware perpetrators progressively refine their malware payloads and related extortion activities.”
The implementation of powerful anti-ransomware solutions, the performance of frequent backups, and the development of contingency plans to recover from prospective attacks are all necessary for businesses to deal with this danger. So, it’s possible to reduce the likelihood of ransomware infestations by utilizing advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems in conjunction with high levels of staff awareness.
7. Cybersecurity challenges in remote work environments
Due to the pandemic, remote work increased globally and has continued to do so, posing several cybersecurity threats to businesses. Remote work increases risks for businesses due to security flaws caused by unprotected home networks and equipment. According to Cisco’s 2024 Hybrid Work Report, phishing attempts targeting remote workers have increased for 60% of businesses.
A report by Mondo shows that ”cybersecurity challenges in remote work include unsecured home networks, use of personal devices, and lack of employee training.” The report also suggests that regular, up-to-date training is essential to help employees avoid exposing their companies to malware and other cybersecurity threats.
To address these challenges, companies are implementing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), implementing Zero Trust concepts, and imposing stringent password requirements in order to overcome these issues. In order to reduce the hazards connected with working remotely, it is also essential that remote workers receive regular training on security procedures.
8. Increased cloud security enhancements and hybrid cloud protection
Organizations that use hybrid cloud models continue to place a high premium on cloud security. Flexera’s 2024 State of the Cloud Report shows that “94% of businesses use cloud services, making data protection in intricate cloud systems crucial.” Combining private and public cloud resources, hybrid clouds provide significant difficulties, particularly with regard to access control and data visibility.
To improve cloud security, businesses will continue to invest in data encryption, AI-driven monitoring systems, and cloud security posture management (CSPM) technologies. No matter where it’s stored, sensitive data is kept safe by integrating hybrid cloud protections.
9. Quantum computing and potential cybersecurity implications get real
Although it is still in its infancy, quantum computing could eventually threaten conventional encryption techniques. IBM’s Quantum Computing Research claims that RSA encryption, which is frequently used to protect data online, may be decrypted in a matter of seconds by quantum computers.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is creating quantum-resistant cryptography standards as a preventative measure, and these standards should be completed in the upcoming years. Companies should begin investigating quantum-safe encryption techniques to guard against potential dangers posed by advances in quantum computing.
Cybersecurity expert Pierluigi Paganini notes in an article on Quantum Insider that “the threat posed by quantum computers to current encryption methods is significant.” He warned that quantum advancements could render existing security protocols obsolete, underscoring the urgency for organizations to transition to quantum-resistant algorithms.
10. More cocus on employee training and cyber awareness programs
Even with advances in technology, the biggest cybersecurity threat is still human error. Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report found 85% of data breaches involve a human in the loop. IBM’s Cybersecurity Intelligence Index Report also notes that “human error was a major contributing cause in 95% of all breaches.” These stats highlight the importance of ongoing employee education for organizations across the globe.
Today, more companies are investing in interactive cyber awareness programs that educate employees on phishing, secure browsing, and data protection practices— but even more organizations need to do that. By improving cyber literacy across all levels, organizations can better prevent social engineering attacks and reduce the likelihood of breaches.
These cybersecurity developments highlight the necessity of a proactive, multi-layered strategy to protect against changing attacks as 2025 draws near. From adopting Zero Trust to getting ready for quantum computing, companies need to modify their security plans to stay up with the rapidly evolving environment.
