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"The recent analysis by ESET on the current state of technology evolution reveals a notable feature: the surge in devices and technologies presents greater challenges in maintaining data security, regardless of the implementation location. This leads to the conclusion that security must be seriously considered at every level of the spectrum".
Overview
Many experts in
the security industry are foreseeing not only more of the same, but new
tactics and better techniques that would take cyberattacks to the next level.
Jason Hart, CTO Data Protection, Gemalto, “is predicting that the integrity of
data breaches is set to bring shockwaves globally all the way through in 2025,
with no less than one omnipotent breach exposé of this nature to be expected
next year.”
Everything in
security changes is always synonymous with risk. Since change is constant,
awareness of the key changes that will somehow increase the risk is a critical
part of being proactive in cybersecurity.
But year after year, the fact still remains, the number of reported
vulnerabilities has not lessened, but has instead remained constant or has
even shown a small increasing trend. This emphasizes the need for developers
and manufacturers to further their commitment to securing the development of
data products and services. A simple risk equation thus follows as shown in
Figure 1.
New Vulnerabilities Enabling New Threats
Security teams,
in reality, control only half of the “Action” parameter. Organizations cannot
ascertain when threats are developed or launched, and vulnerabilities are always
driven by weaknesses in people and technology. Technology changes swiftly, but
people change very slowly, and the organization’s adoption of new technologies
always brings new vulnerabilities, enabling new threats. Substantial knowledge
and anticipation of business demand for emergent technologies are a vital
element in a successful security program. Additionally, the ever-increasing
incidence of attacks on large infrastructure and internet services puts the
debate of vital security infrastructure back on the table, a subject that has
its own distinguishing chapter in view of the sensitivity of the topic.
With every new
wave of technology, threats are likely to come in three forms, namely: DoS
(Denial-of-Service) attacks, cybercrime, and attacks by nation-states. In the
following three cases, the elemental vulnerabilities that are generally
exploited are not so different.
The Rising DDoS Attack
2025 is the
year we are expected to see more occurrences of ransomware, an increase
in DDoS attacks, and many more attacks against IoT (Internet of Things) devices
… sadly, on a much bigger scale. And worryingly, according to ESET Senior
Security Researcher Stephen Cobb, “there is greater potential for
cross-pollination as they evolve”. Especially worrying is the future growth of
the RoT (Ransomware of Things), through which cybercriminals take over a connected
device and then demand payment for its access to be restored to the user. The term
"Ransomware of Things" (RoT) refers to the extension of ransomware
attacks to include devices and systems within the Internet of Things
(IoT). As the number of connected devices grows, so does the potential
attack surface for ransomware, creating new vulnerabilities and challenges for
security.
There are
greater possibilities that these trends will continue in 2025. For example,
making use of infected IoT devices to squeeze commercial sites by
threatening a DDoS attack, or by locking up IoT devices in order to demand a
ransom.
Cyber Crime -
Cybercriminals
and the system of the network that supports them are refining attacks to focus
solely on approaches that can lead to revenue generation, most frequently by
stealing data that could be resold or supporting fraudulent accounts. Moreover,
cyber criminals are shunning far-reaching, spam-based attacks in favor of a
greater number of a much-précised spear phishing ransomware attacks often
targeting executives and individuals in positions of authority who are more to
be expected to pay to safeguard invaluable business or personal information.
Nation-state sponsored attacks -
Most attacks
carried out by nation-states take advantage of the exposed vulnerabilities and
the resulting technology developed in the earlier two stages to develop extremely
sophisticated and directed attacks against a particular target of national
value. For one, China is alleged of organizing the hack on a German steel
manufacturer ThyssenKrupp, filching some of its intellectual property in the
form of trade secrets, and Russia, for its part is alleged for its role of
heavily influencing the result of the 2016 US Presidential Election by hacking
into and publishing sensitive information.
Trending Threats
Three important
cybersecurity trends in the threat arena that would particularly be relevant
in 2025, to wit;
Familiar vulnerabilities would still dominate the landscape –
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| Verizon Data Breach Investigations |
Growing fourth-party attacks –
In one of the
most infamous cybersecurity breaches in retail history, hackers infiltrated
Target's network through a third-party vendor, Fazio Mechanical Services.
Exploiting a vulnerability, cybercriminals used stolen credentials to gain
unauthorized access to Target's systems, where they deployed sophisticated
malware across the company’s point-of-sale (POS) devices. This silent attack
enabled them to capture millions of customers' sensitive information, including
payment card details and personal data, without immediate detection.
Despite
security alerts, Target’s delayed response allowed the breach to persist for
weeks, putting countless consumers at risk of financial fraud. The operation,
financially motivated rather than politically driven, was traced back to
Eastern European hacking groups that later sold the stolen data on the black
market, demonstrating the lucrative nature of cybercrime.
The
consequences were severe. Target faced an estimated $162 million in immediate
financial losses, including legal fees and settlements. More damaging, however,
was the erosion of consumer trust, leading to weakened holiday sales and
long-term reputational harm. This breach became a wake-up call for the retail
industry, underscoring the critical need for proactive cybersecurity
strategies. Key measures such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
assessments, third-party risk management, continuous monitoring, and
comprehensive cybersecurity gap assessments proved essential in preventing such
large-scale attacks in the future.
Ensuring
that third- or fourth-party services are secured amply for business use
requires security teams to get involved in the sourcing selection process and
to have in place processing and controlling mechanisms to continuously monitor
any compromise and vulnerability status of the business partners and suppliers
Security breaches will not be the whole story -
Attacks have
matured over several years, going from just experimenters to anonymous
hacktivists, causing many types of DoS
attacks, with most wanted
cyber criminals looking to steal customer data and business information for
purposes of account fraud and other monetary crimes. Attacks by nation-states
followed, with inquiries verifying that Chinese, Russian, and the United States
intelligence agencies have perpetrated the attacks. This caused many
organizations to be extra vigilant in monitoring the databases and network systems for any signs of sizable amounts of data being withdrawn to avoid
or disrupt any breach attempts. The average quantity of records exposed per
breach is down to 82% as enterprises have become more vigilant in detecting mass
exfiltration of data.
But cyber
criminals do not remain inactive, as shown in the high growth of ransomware
attacks. Ransomware attacks are surging, with incidents and ransom payments
escalating. In 2024, active ransomware groups grew by 56%, while average ransom
payments skyrocketed 500% from $400,000 to $2 million. These attacks severely
disrupt healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure.
Ransomware as a denial-of-service (DoS) attack-
Ransomware is a
formidable cybersecurity threat that functions as a denial-of-service (DoS)attack by encrypting critical data or executables, effectively bringing
essential business operations to a standstill. These attacks often exploit the
same vulnerabilities used in breach attempts, but they also target weaknesses
in data backup protocols and network traffic monitoring.
Particularly concerning the evolution of ransomware, known as
"badness planting," is on the rise. Unlike traditional ransomware,
this method does not deploy malware to steal or encrypt data. Instead,
malicious actors surreptitiously plant compromising files, images, or videos
onto corporate PCs and servers. They then use the threat of exposure as
leverage, demanding ransoms or coercing victims into handing over sensitive
login credentials.
With the widespread use of social media and the increasing
reliance on cloud-based data centers, the execution of such attacks has become
alarmingly easy. A prime example is the recently exposed Cloudbleed
vulnerability by Cloudflare, which highlights the shifting landscape of digital
security risks.
As cybercriminal tactics continue to evolve, organizations
must prioritize robust security measures, including proactive threat detection,
stringent data backup procedures, and employee awareness programs to mitigate
the risks posed by these sophisticated attacks.
Business Technology Trends: Navigating the Security Landscape
As organizations evolve, so do the risks they face. While cyber threats
come and go, the pressure to adopt new technologies and services is relentless.
A single cyberattack may or may not hit your organization, but one thing is
certain: if security policies hinder business innovation, the impact is 100%
guaranteed.
Let’s explore some of the strongest technology trends shaping businesses
today—and how they’re transforming security.
The Internet of Things (IoT): A Double-Edged Sword
Remember the 2016 Mirai attacks? They served as a wake-up call, proving
that despite skepticism, IoT vulnerabilities were more than just
theoretical—they were causing real-world damage. IoT refers to anything
connected to the internet, and its rapid adoption has far surpassed previous
technological shifts.
From a security perspective, it's essential to understand the different
types of IoT devices, categorized by SANS:
- Enterprise
IT devices – Traditional machines like PCs, servers, routers, and switches
using wired connectivity.
- Operational
Technology (OT) – Devices such as SCADA systems, medical machinery, and
kiosks, often wired.
- Consumer
mobile devices – Smartphones and tablets that employees use, connecting
wirelessly.
- Single-purpose
devices – A fast-growing category of IoT tools embedded in infrastructure
(smart buildings, environmental monitors, smart cars) and consumer
gadgets.
As new IoT devices emerge, security gaps widen. Organizations must
implement new security frameworks, including IT/OT integration, mobile security
controls, network access protocols, and advanced vulnerability management
strategies.
In the coming years, the rise of single-purpose IoT devices will further
complicate security operations. These embedded technologies frequently go
unnoticed, creating blind spots in vulnerability assessments. Attackers can
exploit these gaps to launch sophisticated cyber threats.
The Shift to Mobile & Cloud: Innovation vs. Risk
Two critical trends—the explosive growth of mobile devices and cloud
adoption—have forced businesses to rethink how they operate. According to a
recent CareerBuilder survey, 88 percent of employees have smartphones,
and 77 percent of them keep their phones within reach at work. Workers admit to
using them throughout the day – 39 percent check their phone several times a
day.
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| Amplified Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine |
By 2024, the US mobile workforce is set to soar, making up nearly 60% of
the total workforce—a remarkable shift fueled by the rise of hybrid and remote
work models, along with an increasing number of deskless workers who rely on
mobility throughout their day. According to market research firm IDC, the
number of mobile workers is projected to grow from 78.5 million in 2020 to 93.5
million by 2024.
This transformation is driven by evolving workplace demands, as employees
embrace flexible work arrangements and businesses adapt to a world where
mobility is key. Cutting-edge technology—especially advancements in mobile
AI—has been instrumental in this movement, equipping workers with the tools
they need to boost efficiency and stay productive, no matter where their work
takes them. The future of work is on the move, and the momentum shows no signs
of slowing down.
But with great mobility comes great security challenges. The fragmentation
of mobile devices and external cloud services forces businesses to adapt
rapidly. To stay competitive, many organizations rely on Software-as-a-Service
(SaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) to minimize deployment time and
operational costs.
However, increased cloud adoption reduces IT’s control over traditional
security processes. SaaS acts like an independent software application, while
IaaS functions like an entirely new data center—except IT teams often lack
control over crucial elements such as code review, version updates, and
patching frequency.
Skyhigh Security's research indicates that enterprises utilize, on
average, over 1,154 cloud services, and only a small percentage meet enterprise
security and privacy standards. They have developed tools like the Cloud
Registry and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) to help organizations gain
visibility, govern usage, and manage the onboarding of new cloud services.
Although cloud service providers will consolidate over time, the sheer
volume of sensitive data flowing into cloud environments will continue to
expand.
The Future of Cloud Security
As cloud services grow, security strategies must evolve too. Businesses
must integrate cloud-based security mechanisms, leading to hybrid cloud
architectures that combine on-premises
security controls with cloud-enabled protection.
To mitigate
risks, IT teams must align security practices with cloud adoption, focusing on:
- Involving security teams in cloud
service selection – Security requirements should be prioritized in vendor
evaluations.
- Strengthening vulnerability
assessments – Risk mitigation strategies must be embedded into software
development and final QA processes.
- Continuous security monitoring – IT
processes need upgrades to keep pace with IaaS and hybrid cloud usage.
- Integrating monitoring data –
Unifying insights from on-premises infrastructure and cloud services
improves visibility and threat detection.
Concluding Opinions
Technology will continue to reshape business operations, presenting both opportunities
and challenges. Security leaders must stay ahead of the curve, ensuring that as
businesses embrace IoT, mobile, and cloud solutions, security controls remain robust,
adaptive, and proactive.
These days, keeping your data safe—whether for business or personal
use—is a must. Companies, big and small, need to step up their cybersecurity
game to protect themselves from ever-evolving threats.
Some things never change in cybersecurity. Basics like vulnerability
assessments, managing hardware and software, and having solid security policies
are still crucial. They’re the foundation that helps businesses stay secure
while embracing new tech.
Luckily, there are cybersecurity programs that strike the right balance
between business needs and security risks. The best strategies help companies
keep up with cybercriminals (or at least not fall behind) while also proving to
execs that security investments reduce risks and make it easier to adopt new
technologies, without putting customer safety on the line.
Of course, cyber threats aren’t going anywhere, and neither is new tech.
Hackers will keep finding ways to break in, and businesses will keep pushing
boundaries. Cloud services and IoT are perfect examples of how fast-changing
tech can challenge even the strongest security measures.
At the end of the day, one thing is clear: data runs the show, and
security has to be a priority. Without it, businesses will struggle to keep up
in today’s digital world.