Top Cyber Threats to Prepare For In 2025

Top Cyber Threats to Prepare For In 2025

For cybercriminals, 2025 will be the year of threats using advanced technology, new tactics, and more sophisticated challenges. However, organizations can prepare accordingly and ensure their information stays safe. These top cyber threats include AI, quantum computing, and even insider attacks. As attackers continue to adapt to find new vulnerabilities, organizations can work to stay one step ahead.

Continue reading to discover the top cyber threats to expect in 2025 and how your business can proactively mitigate these risks.

6 Emerging cybersecurity threats

Though we will continue to see similar cyber threats that we have seen in the past, this new year will bring new challenges to be aware of. With evolving technology and advancements in hackers’ ability to detect weak points in a security system, organizations will need to take extra measures to ensure their safety. Let’s start by understanding what threats are emerging in 2025.

  1. Quantum computing advancements
  2. Cross-domain attacks 
  3. Geopolitical threats 
  4. AI-driven cyberattacks
  5. Insider attacks
  6. IoT vulnerability

1. Quantum computing advancements

Though quantum computing can solve complex issues, it can also be used to break encryption algorithms — making current cryptographic protocols obsolete. This could allow hackers to break through encryption quickly and manipulate the system under attack. 

Although this threat is in its early stages, hackers’ ability to use quantum computing has rapidly progressed. Organizations should prepare for a future cyber landscape in which quantum computing can break cryptography algorithms at increasing rates.

2. Cross-domain attacks

Increasingly popular, cross-domain attacks are advanced cyberattacks that use vulnerabilities found across multiple domains to access an organization’s network without being detected. Attackers find weak areas of an organization’s infrastructure among different platforms, like endpoints, cloud services, or on-premise systems, to gain entry. 

3. Geopolitical threats

With the adoption of hybrid work environments comes an increased demand for cloud and on-premise surfaces, which correlates to the increased opportunity for a hacker to exploit a network. Your security team now needs to ensure that areas between different systems are as secure as possible. To avoid cross-domain attacks, organizations should consider adding comprehensive security solutions that can detect, analyze, and respond to these types of attacks with speed and accuracy.

Geopolitical threats have altered cybersecurity plans for about 60% of organizations, even forcing some businesses to shut down entirely. Nation-state actors—government or state entities responsible for creating cyber attacks targeting other nations’ critical infrastructure—are increasingly attempting to breach businesses in the finance, energy, or technology sectors.

These types of attacks aim to sabotage business operations, gain access to intellectual property, or destabilize economies. Organizations can fight against these threats by investing in advanced threat intelligence.

4. AI-driven cyberattacks

As AI tools continue to advance, potential threats must be considered. Although AI can be useful in the workplace, it can also lead to vulnerabilities where hackers can create tailored attacks. Cybercriminals use AI to personalize attacks, such as phishing scams and false messaging, making it extremely difficult to decipher phishing emails from authentic emails.

Additionally, scammers are using audio and video messaging to create deepfake scams. A deepfake is a realistic image, video, or audio recording created using AI to portray someone the user trusts to obtain sensitive information. Unfortunately, this type of digital manipulation can quickly spread misinformation and be used for malicious purposes.

5. Insider attacks

Insider attacks are one of the “easier” ways a hacker can access an organization’s security system. The reason is that the employee is already on the network and can access information that outsiders would not.

People outside the organization would first have to learn its operations and obtain the correct credentials—all while risking encountering hidden security measures before they could access the information they were looking for. Meanwhile, insiders already know how the organization operates, can access login credentials, and may even know hidden security protocols within the system.

There are two types of insider attacks to be aware of: 

  1. Accidental: When an employee is not following best practices, like leaving their device unattended or emailing sensitive information, across unsecured networks. 
  2. Malicious: This may be an unhappy employee who hopes to profit from the business by causing harm or gaining information. 

Businesses would benefit from implementing identity and access management (IAM). This allows organizations to control what employees can and cannot access, restricting certain areas from being exploited or accessed by the wrong user. Additionally, privileged access management (PAM) allows businesses to restrict, monitor, and detect unauthorized privileges to critical information. 

6. IoT vulnerability

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a system of devices like appliances, sensors, or actuators that connect to the network. The expansion of IoT vulnerabilities provides attackers with more opportunities to grow their threats. We have found that IoT devices tend to lack extensive security measures, making them an easy target for botnets. A botnet is a network of computers that have already been compromised. These compromised computers are now being controlled by a single hacker known as a bot herder. 

This type of attack can lead to grand-scale DDoS attacks or provide openings into a secure network. A DDoS attack is a malicious cyberattack in which the cybercriminal overwhelms the network with a high volume of traffic to prevent real users from accessing the service, thus making it unavailable. Since IoT is integrated into daily operations, it’s critical to protect the technology in use. Similar to other technologies, protection should include compliance measures like SOC and an additional managed lifecycle to ensure its security.

Partner with IT service providers to avoid these risks

As we are well on our way into the new year, we can expect to see threats attached to technology, employee behavior, and regulation frameworks. Organizations that are proactive in preparing for and understanding these potential threats will position themselves to reduce the chance of an attack and mitigate any harm to their organization.

To prepare your organization for a safe 2025, you should prioritize the following measures:

  1. Education and awareness: Consistently hold training sessions or provide resources for employees to stay updated on the latest security threats and best practices for keeping their information safe. 
  2. Layered security measures: Implement different security protocols and procedures in a comprehensive, in-depth cybersecurity strategy. 
  3. AI for defense: New, advanced technology can be used to your advantage for threat detection or attack prevention. 

As new cyberattacks continue to develop, so must your cybersecurity strategies. Adapting to new technology and types of attacks will help organizations prepare for the worst and mitigate risks that may affect the network.

This year, we encourage organizations to take proactive measures to protect their data and sensitive information. If you have any questions about emerging threats, contact us today, and one of our experts will be ready to help. Let’s work together to create a safe and productive year.

AppliedTech

About Applied Tech

Applied Tech is a leading IT and cybersecurity services provider dedicated to helping businesses protect their digital assets. Our proactive and strategic services include cloud management, security, productivity, and IT growth strategy. With a team of experienced professionals, we provide unique solutions tailored to your IT needs.

Protect your business with Applied Tech’s fully managed IT services, co-managed support, and security assistance. With IT services focused on your business goals, keep your team productive and your data secure.

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