Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2025. Read them in this 17th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
By Kyle Kurdziolek, VP of Security at
BigID
The cybersecurity battleground is heating up,
and 2025 is shaping up to be a game-changer. As threats become more
sophisticated and organizations scramble to stay ahead, here are five
predictions in the world of cybersecurity for the upcoming year and they mean
for businesses worldwide.
1. DSPM
Adoption Will Soar to Combat Data Sprawl
By mid-2025, nearly 80% of organizations will
integrate Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions to address the
growing challenges of data sprawl across on-premises, SaaS, and cloud
environments.
This surge in adoption will be driven by a
perfect storm of rising regulatory pressures and an uptick in high-profile data
breaches. Industries like finance and healthcare, already under intense
scrutiny, will prioritize DSPM to gain visibility into their data ecosystems,
improve compliance, and mitigate risk. Businesses that delay adopting
comprehensive data management strategies risk falling behind competitors and
leaving critical vulnerabilities exposed.
2.
Technology Supply Chain Security Will Take Center Stage
The fallout from incidents like SolarWinds
continues to reverberate, highlighting the vulnerabilities in technology supply
chains. In 2025, enterprises will double down on securing these critical links,
with 65% of organizations citing supply chain risks as a top concern.
This shift will result in enhanced vendor
collaboration, stricter due diligence processes, and the widespread adoption of
advanced monitoring tools. These measures will aim to identify and address
risks before they escalate, particularly during high-stakes periods like
quarterly fiscal closeouts, when attacks historically spike.
3.
Cybercriminals Will Weaponize AI And So Must Defenders
As AI technologies become more sophisticated,
cybercriminals are already beginning to exploit them to scale their operations.
This will only exponentially increase next year. From automating malware
development to corrupting AI models within enterprises, attackers will leverage
AI to create highly targeted and convincing threats, including spear-phishing
campaigns that evade traditional detection methods.
Generative AI has already proven its ability
to produce realistic phishing emails, and this trend will only grow more
dangerous. To stay ahead, organizations must invest in AI-driven cybersecurity
solutions that can detect and neutralize these emerging threats in real time.
4. The
Rise of Autonomous Security Operations Centers (SOCs)
By 2025, the vision of fully autonomous
Security Operations Centers (SOCs) will begin to materialize. Emerging startups
and established players alike are leveraging AI to drive proactive threat
detection and response, shifting the paradigm from reactive to predictive
security.
Autonomous SOCs will revolutionize security
team workflows by automating repetitive tasks, reducing alert fatigue, and
enabling near-instant responses to advanced threats. For organizations facing
resource constraints, these AI-powered solutions offer an opportunity to scale
their security operations without expanding their teams.
5.
Geopolitical Tensions Will Elevate Targeted Cyber Threats
Finally, the rising tide of geopolitical
tensions is expected to increase cyber threats targeting critical sectors like
energy, finance, and defense. In 2025, businesses in these industries must
brace for an uptick in sophisticated, region-specific attacks.
To stay resilient, organizations will need to
adopt contextual threat intelligence platforms that provide actionable insights
tailored to their risk profiles. Additionally, building region-specific
incident response plans will be essential for mitigating potential fallout and
maintaining operational continuity.
What
should organizations do for 2025
The challenges of 2025 demand bold strategies,
innovative tools, and a relentless focus on staying one step ahead. From taming
data chaos with DSPM to fending off AI-powered cybercriminals, the stakes are
higher than ever.
But here's the silver lining: the
opportunities are just as immense. With the right approach, businesses can
transform these challenges into a competitive edge, safeguarding their assets,
earning customer trust, and thriving in a world where digital resilience is the
ultimate currency.
2025 is going to be a game changer for
cybersecurity and we need to be prepared for it.
##
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kyle is an accomplished cybersecurity
leader with over a decade of experience spanning cloud security, incident
response, and cyber operations. Currently serving as the VP of Security at
BigID, Kyle oversees strategic security initiatives, leveraging his expertise
to strengthen the company's defenses and align with industry best practices.
Before assuming his current role, Kyle held
various leadership positions at BigID, including Director of Security and
Senior Manager of Cloud Security, where he spearheaded innovations in cloud and
data protection. Kyle's career trajectory includes pivotal roles at Relativity,
where he served as Interim Head of Cyber Security and led efforts in security
incident response and cyber operations.