Key cybersecurity predictions for 2025

Posted:
01/21/2025
| By:
Bryson Medlock

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, so do the threats and vulnerabilities that accompany it. As we start a new year, it is important to examine recent developments and trends in order to stay ahead of cybercriminals and anticipate future challenges, enabling us to develop proactive strategies.

The ConnectWise Cyber Research Unit™ (CRU) continuously analyzes the cybersecurity landscape and has compiled a list of cybersecurity predictions for the upcoming year.  

Reviewing our 2024 cybersecurity predictions

Before we dive in, let’s look at our track record for creating cybersecurity predictions. These are the predictions we put forward last year for 2024.

  1. AI will be a double-edged sword

We predicted AI would catalyze new social engineering attacks while also improving defensive security. This largely played out, with deepfakes not reaching the extremes once feared in the US elections. AI continues to lower barriers to entry for cybercrime, necessitating controls to prevent misuse, especially when it comes to tricking people into clicking links in phishing emails.

  1. Shift in threat tactics focused on IoT and LOLBins

Our prediction of increased attacks leveraging living off the land binaries (LOLBins) was accurate. However, the expected focus on IoT did not fully materialize. Instead, VPNs and firewalls saw heavy targeting. Nonetheless, securing often-overlooked IoT devices remains critical.

  1. Talent shortage will drive tool consolidation

As predicted, the cybersecurity skills gap continued widening, fueling vendor consolidation and AI augmentation of security tools to reduce complexity. Integrated platforms have become key for improving visibility, automating workflows, and increasing productivity.

  1. M&A will remake the vendor landscape

While economic uncertainty depressed mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the MSP market, continued vendor consolidation transformed the cybersecurity supplier arena as forecasted. Integrated suites changed how security tools are bought and deployed.

  1. CMMC 2.0 will force conversations

Uncertainty around CMMC 2.0 compliance certainly sparked many discussions this year. Ultimately, some requirements applying to MSPs were reduced but cybersecurity maturity remains critical for government work.

Overall, our 2024 predictions were fairly accurate, demonstrating the importance of tracking both existing and emerging cybersecurity trends to stay ahead of threats.

Key cybersecurity predictions for 2025

Based on current trajectories, here are five key predictions for how the cybersecurity landscape will evolve in 2025.

  1. Increase in nation-state and hacktivist attacks

Geopolitical tensions, domestic instability, and cybercapability improvements among nation-states point to more government-sponsored attacks. Hacktivist collectives will also leverage cyberattacks to further political agendas.

  1. AI’s growing role in cybersecurity

As AI underpins more business functions, threat actors will develop more advanced techniques to exploit and manipulate AI systems. Security teams must view AI as a new attack surface and secure access appropriately. On the flip side, AI will continue to play a significant role in defensive strategies.

  1. Workforce mental health will be prioritized

Burnout and work-from-home stresses have hurt cybersecurity practitioner productivity and retention. Leaders will invest more in mental health support and flexible work policies to strengthen the workforce.

  1. Cyber insurance costs will rise

Insurers faced major ransomware losses in 2024. Premiums will rise as policies see reduced coverage and increased requirements around cybersecurity controls and response planning.

  1. Core cybersecurity hygiene will determine success

For all the new attack techniques, most incidents still stem from basic security failures. Organizations focused on nailing down cybersecurity hygiene will gain an advantage. Core tenets include patching, MFA, and password security.

Conclusion

The cybersecurity landscape is marked by rapid advancements and evolving threats, necessitating a proactive approach to defense. To navigate this complex terrain, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in the cybersecurity landscape.

Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter to get regular updates from the ConnectWise CRU. However, knowledge alone can only take you so far. Take action and leverage comprehensive Cybersecurity and Data Protection solutions from ConnectWise to empower your teams on the front lines of cybersecurity defense.

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