DEVOPSdigest

From artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced malware to looming quantum computing threats, the cyber security forecast from Check Point Software Technologies highlights the trends that organizations must prepare for to stay secure in this evolving digital environment. Part 2 continues the predictions for 2025:

Increasing Evolution of CISO Role: Convergence with CIO

In 2025, the role of the CISO will continue to evolve as well to converge with the CIO in response to increased regulatory scrutiny and personal accountability. Assuming the role of risk orchestrators, CISOs must move beyond traditional cyber security to managing broader enterprise risks, including geopolitical threats, AI-driven misinformation and regulatory shifts. Modern CIOs will need to oversee all aspects of information technology, including information security, making the CISO role less distinct and creating a more unified leadership structure that eliminated the boundaries between the two roles. This convergence reflects a broader shift toward integrated risk management, where cyber security becomes a core responsibility of the IT leadership.

"The convergence of the CIO and CISO roles will define the next era of enterprise leadership. As organizations face increasingly complex cyber threats, the need for a unified approach to managing both IT and security becomes critical. By 2025, we'll see more CIOs taking ownership of cyber security, integrating it into the fabric of their digital transformation efforts. This holistic approach will not only streamline decision-making but also strengthen the organization's overall resilience," observes Brian Linder, Cyber security Evangelist at Check Point.

Cloud Security Evolution

Cloud security in 2025 will face growing challenges as AI and cloud platforms become more integrated into business operations. With attackers using AI to automate cloud-based breaches, organizations will need to move away from a remediation-focused approach to a more preventive strategy. The speed and sophistication of attacks will demand that businesses build proactive security architectures capable of detecting and stopping threats before they cause damage.

Cloud adoption will continue to rise, but so will regulatory scrutiny. Governments are expected to impose stricter compliance requirements, especially for industries that handle sensitive data. Cyber insurance will also grow in importance, as organizations seek protection against the financial impact of cloud breaches. AI, while crucial to cloud security defenses, will also be a target for attackers, making it essential for businesses to secure their AI-driven systems as part of their broader cloud strategy.

"In 2025, the key to cloud security will be prevention. As attacks grow more automated and complex, businesses will need to design cloud environments that anticipate threats rather than react to them," said Itai Greenberg, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Cloud Security Business.

Cloud Security Platforms

The ongoing tug-of-war between best-of-breed and best-of-suite cyber security solutions is shifting in favor of platforms. The platform effect, largely driven by AI-based integrations, will increase productivity in security operations for all but the most well-staffed enterprise cyber security teams. For example, tools like CNAPP, ASPM, and DSPM are converging to form comprehensive suites of security posture management (SPM) solutions.

As new SPM tools such as Application and Data SPM emerge, they will likely become part of an overarching Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP), with this space potentially evolving into what may be referred to as XSPM (Extended Security Posture Management). The convergence of Attack Surface Management with this new category exemplifies how platforms will provide more value than a stack of point solutions, fundamentally transforming how organizations manage vulnerabilities.

"Cloud-powered platforms are becoming the new backbone of cyber security, where AI-driven integration outperforms standalone tools. By unifying diverse security operations, these platforms simplify complexity and enable organizations to manage threats and vulnerabilities across the cloud more effectively and efficiently," said Brian McHenry, Head of Cloud Security Engineering.

Cloud and IoT Security Challenges

As more organizations migrate to the cloud and adopt Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the attack surface continues to expand. By 2025, over 90% of enterprises will operate in multi-cloud environments, and IoT devices are projected to exceed 32 billion globally. While cloud service providers offer robust security features, the complexity of securing multiple cloud platforms introduces vulnerabilities, especially when configurations are mismanaged or poorly monitored.

IoT security will be a major concern as attackers exploit the growing number of interconnected devices. Many IoT devices, from smart home systems to industrial sensors, lack adequate security measures, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals. The rise of IoT will inevitably drive the need for scalable, secure cloud storage, to efficiently manage massive data generation, real-time processing, centralized management, enhanced security, and cost-effective scalability.

Moreover, cloud misconfigurations and insecure APIs will continue to be exploited, as these remain among the top weaknesses in cloud environments. With the imminent integration of AI and ML into almost every technology we have, cloud computing will also see the same, which will enhance automation and decision-making.

"With the explosion of IoT and multi-cloud environments, we'll see a significant rise in vulnerabilities. Securing these interconnected systems will be one of the biggest challenges in 2025," says Antoinette Hodes, Global Solutions Architect – IoT at Check Point.

AI-Generated Malware and Multi-Agent Systems

Attackers will increasingly leverage advanced AI code generation tools, moving beyond code completion tools, like GitHub Copilot, to AI platforms capable of generating full code creation of malware from a single prompt. This shift will enable the rapid creation of sophisticated and highly targeted cyber threats, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry for malicious actors and making the world a far less safe place as these tools become more accessible, harder to detect, and capable of evolving faster than traditional security defenses can adapt.

Multi-agent AI systems will also emerge, where multiple AI models collaborate to solve complex problems. Attackers will use these systems to execute coordinated, distributed attacks, making them harder to detect and mitigate. At the same time, defenders will adopt similar systems for real-time threat detection and response across networks and devices.

Additionally, new AI governance platforms will emerge in 2025 to meet regulatory demands, ensuring transparency, trust, and fairness in AI models. These frameworks will become essential as AI regulations take effect in early 2025, pushing enterprises to maintain control over their AI tools and processes.

"By 2025, AI will power both attacks and defenses at an unprecedented scale, with multi-agent systems enabling more dynamic operations. Organizations that embrace governance frameworks early will lead the way in building trust and ensuring compliance," says Dan Karpati, VP of AI Technologies.

Cyber Criminals Poised to Exploit the Growing Cyber Security Talent Gap

By 2025, the worsening shortage of cyber security professionals will significantly impact organizations' ability to defend against increasingly complex cyber threats. Despite continued investment in a growing number of security products, the lack of skilled experts to manage and integrate these tools will create a fragmented, inefficient security posture. The reliance on too many vendors without adequate in-house expertise will leave organizations vulnerable to attack, as their defenses become harder to manage and less effective. Cyber criminals will exploit these gaps, targeting weaknesses created by the overcomplicated security environments, making businesses more susceptible to breaches and financial losses.

"The cybersecurity talent shortage is forcing organizations into a precarious situation. Despite investing in more tools, their defenses are being spread too thin, leaving critical gaps that attackers are all too eager to exploit. Streamlining security operations and focusing on upskilling staff will be key to maintaining resilience," says Eyal Manor, VP of Product Management.

Increasing Regulatory Demands and Stricter Cyber Insurance Policies

Organizations will face mounting pressure from a growing wave of cyber security regulations, including the EU IoT Regulations, SEC Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), and the NIS2 Directive. Each of these frameworks will require companies to invest significant time and resources into compliance projects, policy creation, and the deployment of new security products. While these regulations are intended to strengthen security postures, they also add layers of operational complexity, forcing businesses to dedicate more focus and effort to meeting these standards. Additionally, cyber insurance policies will become stricter, with insurers demanding more rigorous controls and compliance as prerequisites for coverage, further intensifying the regulatory burden.

"As new regulations come into effect and cyber insurance policies tighten, organizations must allocate substantial time and resources to meet these evolving requirements. The focus on compliance will enhance security, but it will also increase the operational load, making it essential for businesses to streamline efforts and prioritize regulatory readiness," says Eyal Manor, VP of Product Management.

Conclusion

As we approach 2025, the cyber security landscape will be shaped by the rise of AI-powered attacks, the looming threat of quantum computing, and the growing vulnerability of social media platforms. To stay ahead of these challenges, organizations need to invest in AI-driven defenses, transition to quantum-safe encryption, and adopt a Zero Trust approach to cloud and IoT security. Moreover, businesses must prepare for a stricter regulatory environment and the increasing necessity of cyber insurance. With cyber crime evolving at an unprecedented pace, companies that fail to adapt risk becoming the next victim. Now is the time to act, to safeguard digital assets, and to secure the future.