DEVOPSdigest

As we move into 2025, the cyber security landscape will become more complex, with new challenges emerging as rapidly as the technologies that drive them. From artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced malware to looming quantum computing threats, the forecast from Check Point Software Technologies highlights the trends that organizations must prepare for to stay secure in this evolving digital environment.

The Future of Ransomware

Ransomware is poised to become even more sophisticated by 2025, with cyber criminals using AI and automation to increase the speed and precision of their attacks. These enhanced techniques will allow ransomware to spread rapidly across networks, making early detection more critical than ever. The rise of ransomware targeting supply chains is particularly concerning, as attacks on critical vendors or partners can have a cascading effect on entire industries. The industry is expected to witness two or three large-scale ransomware incidents targeting supply chains in the coming years, further amplifying the need for organizations to secure their extended networks.

In response, businesses are expected to turn more to cyber insurance to mitigate the financial impact of such attacks, while governments will enforce stricter regulatory standards. Compliance and reporting will become non-negotiable as ransomware continues to be a top threat. Meanwhile, phishing remains the gateway for most ransomware, with AI-generated emails and deepfake impersonations becoming more convincing. Preventing these attacks will require robust training and phishing detection systems to stay ahead of evolving tactics.

"In 2025, we can expect to see 2 to 3 massive supply chain attacks. Organizations will need to prepare for faster, more targeted attacks and increase their focus on compliance, cyber insurance, and prevention," said Itai Greenberg, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Cloud Security Business.

AI-Powered Attacks Will Surge

The integration of AI in cyber attacks is one of the most critical developments predicted for 2025. AI has already made cyber criminal activities more scalable and sophisticated, with its impact expected to intensify in 2025. These AI-enhanced threats take many forms, from phishing emails generated with flawless grammar and personal details to highly adaptive malware that can learn and evade detection systems. This next generation of phishing attacks will leverage AI's ability to learn from real-time data, adapting in response to evolving security measures, thus making detection even more challenging.

Generative AI will also enable much larger scale operations. For example, cyber criminals can deploy AI to launch thousands of targeted phishing attacks simultaneously, customizing each one for maximum effect. This allows even smaller criminal groups to run large-scale operations without requiring advanced technical expertise leading to a democratization of cyber crime.

"AI's growing role in cyber crime is undeniable. By 2025, AI will not only enhance the scale of attacks but also their sophistication. Phishing attacks will be harder to detect, with AI continuously learning and adapting," says Jeremy Fuchs, Cyber Security Evangelist at Check Point Software Technologies.

Rampant AI Misuse leading to Increased Data Breaches

As AI becomes more ubiquitous in both personal and professional settings, there is growing concern over the improper use of AI tools. One of the biggest risks in 2025 will be data breaches caused by employees unintentionally sharing sensitive information with AI platforms like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. AI systems can process massive amounts of data, and when this data is fed into external AI tools, the risk of exposure increases dramatically.

For example, employees might input sensitive financial data into an AI tool to generate a report or analysis without realizing that this data could be stored and potentially accessed by unauthorized users. In 2025, organizations will need to establish stricter controls over how AI tools are used within their networks, balancing the benefits of AI-driven productivity with the need for stringent data privacy protections.

"As AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini become deeply integrated into business operations, the risk of accidental data exposure skyrockets with new data privacy challenges. In 2025, organizations must move swiftly to implement strict controls and governance over AI usage, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies don't come at the cost of data privacy and security," adds Jeremy Fuchs, Cyber Security Evangelist at Check Point Software Technologies.

AI-Driven SOC Co-Pilots

By 2025, the proliferation of AI-driven SOC "co-pilots" will be a game-changer in how security operations centers (SOCs) function. These AI assistants will help teams manage the overwhelming amount of data from firewalls, system logs, vulnerability reports, and threat intelligence. With AI co-pilots, SOCs can sift through this vast data more effectively, prioritizing threats and offering prescriptive remediation.

With more AI-powered tools integrated into SOC dashboards, security professionals can automate critical threat-hunting tasks, reduce false positives, and respond to incidents more efficiently. The ability to turn raw data into actionable insights will be key to protecting organizations against increasingly sophisticated attacks.

"AI-driven SOC co-pilots will make a significant impact in 2025, helping security teams prioritize threats and turn overwhelming amounts of data into actionable intelligence. It's a game-changer for SOC efficiency," notes Brian Linder, Cyber security Evangelist at Check Point.

Quantum Computing: A Looming Threat

Quantum computing, though still in its early stages, represents a significant risk to traditional encryption methods. As quantum technology advances, it has the potential to crack encryption standards that are currently considered secure. According to Check Point's predictions, quantum-resistant cryptography will start gaining traction in 2025 as organizations realize the threat quantum computing poses to data security.

The risk is especially concerning for industries that rely on encryption to protect sensitive data, such as finance and healthcare. Traditional encryption methods like RSA and DES are vulnerable to quantum-based decryption, which can break encryption keys exponentially faster than classical computers. While practical quantum attacks are still years away, the time to prepare is now. Experts recommend that organizations begin transitioning to post-quantum cryptography, which is designed to withstand quantum decryption.

"By 2025, we'll see the first tangible signs of quantum computing's impact on cyber security. Organizations must proactively start transitioning to quantum-safe encryption methods to safeguard their sensitive data before it's too late," warns Paal Aaserudseter, Sales Engineer at Check Point.

Social Media as a Cyber Crime Playground

With billions of users worldwide, social media platforms have become a primary target for cyber criminals. In 2025, the combination of social media and generative AI (GenAI) will enable even more sophisticated and dangerous attacks, leveraging personal data and AI-generated content to craft highly targeted scams, impersonations, and fraud. The real concern lies not just in social media or GenAI individually but in how these two forces are converging, amplifying the risks. Criminals will use AI to mimic the behavior, appearance, and voice of individuals, making it harder to distinguish between real interactions and artificial ones.

Criminals will exploit social media platforms not just to steal personal information but also to manipulate users into compromising corporate security. This threat is especially alarming on professional networks like LinkedIn, where the expectation of seeing business-related content and legitimate connections makes it easy for bad actors to infiltrate. Impersonation on LinkedIn is particularly dangerous, as cyber criminals can craft convincing personas to interact with employees, executives, or partners, blurring the lines between legitimate communication and fraud.

The use of social engineering tactics will rise sharply, with AI playing a crucial role in crafting highly convincing impersonations. In fact, AI-driven bots and deepfakes—which generate fake videos, audio, and chats—are already being used to impersonate high-profile individuals, such as heads of state. Soon, it won't be far-fetched to find yourself in a Zoom call, thinking you're speaking with a colleague or superior, only to realize later that it was an AI-generated forgery. These bots will enable cyber criminals to interact with and deceive multiple victims simultaneously, launching large-scale social engineering campaigns with an unprecedented level of reach and sophistication.

"By 2025, we expect a sharp rise in cyber criminals exploiting social media, particularly using AI to launch targeted impersonation attacks. Deepfake already intervenes with political processes and will expand to the business environment. Hackers won't just steal your data or your access credentials, they'll disrupt financial transactions, corporate decisions, and brand reputation. To stay ahead, vendors and organizations must adapt the security tools in their defense stack as well as train their employees to a new world of 'zero trust' / 'suspect everything' environment," says Gil Friedrich, VP of Email Security at Check Point.

The Era of an AI-Driven CISO

By 2025, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) will face growing challenges driven by rapid AI adoption, hybrid-cloud environments, and increasing regulatory pressure. As businesses push for AI to gain a competitive edge, CISOs will be tasked with balancing the speed of innovation against the need for secure-by-design implementations. This tension may lead to a rise in AI-related data breaches, as security is often sacrificed for delivery speed.

CISOs will also be expected to articulate the risks of AI and emerging technologies to boards with this shift requiring them to master complex technologies while translating those risks into business terms for leadership. At the same time, hybrid-cloud infrastructures will become more prevalent, requiring CISOs to extend their DevOps capabilities to manage security across both public and private cloud environments.

The need for Corporate Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance will be essential as their accountability grows. Additionally, incidents such as the recent CrowdStrike software upgrade issue will drive higher demand for cyber insurance, especially for business interruption caused by third-party outages. As the cyber vendor market becomes saturated, CISOs will increasingly rely on cyber advisory services to guide board decisions and security investments.

"In 2025, CISOs will need to balance rapid AI adoption with security, while navigating complex hybrid-cloud environments and rising regulatory pressure. The challenge will be to lead with innovation, without compromising protection," said Deryck Mitchelson, Head of Worldwide Executive Engagement and CISO Programs.

Check back tomorrow for: 2025 Cyber Security Predictions: The Rise of AI-Driven Attacks, Quantum Threats, and Social Media Exploitation - Part 2