Cyber Security 2025 Predictions: Trends and Challenges to Watch

When it comes to cyber security predictions for 2025, AI versus AI will be at the top of many analysts' and security professionals' minds.

According to Fintech Global’s 2025 Cyber Security Trends Report, UK organisations are preparing to invest heavily in cyber security, with budgets expected to rise by an average of 31% in 2025. This increase reflects growing concerns over data security and the need for stronger security measures to protect businesses from potential attacks.

UK government predicts that the cyber security market in the UK is set to generate approximately £11.9 billion in the most recent financial year. Also, cyber security services are expected to see the biggest growth, showing that UK businesses are prioritising strong cyber security measures.

In this blog post, we'll explore Aztech’s key predictions for cyber security in 2025. We’ll touch on emerging threats, advancements in security solutions, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of cyber defence.

Top 10 Cyber Security Predictions for 2025

Here are ten key cybersecurity predictions for 2025 that you should watch out for:

1. Growing Demand for MSPs and MSSPs

With organisations facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the demand for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) is set to soar. MSPs and MSSPs provide outsourced IT and security services, enabling companies to protect their digital assets without investing heavily in in-house security teams.

According to Beaming, UK businesses faced an average of over 753,341 malicious attempts each to breach their online and IT systems, underscoring the escalating cyber threat landscape in 2024. This surge has led to a heightened demand for MSPs and MSSPs, as organisations seek specialised expertise to manage and secure their digital infrastructures.

Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), lacking the resources to establish robust internal data security, turn to MSPs for 24/7 monitoring, incident response, and advanced threat detection.

Sean Houghton, Commercial & Operations Director of Aztech IT Solutions predicted “There will be an increased focus on Zero Trust models as a cyber trend, requiring continuous verification regardless of user location. Businesses should consider implementing Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA), especially for hybrid work environments and be prepared for potential infrastructure overhauls to support this model”.

In 2025, the demand for cybersecurity professionals within MSPs and MSSPs is expected to surge. With businesses adopting multi-cloud environments, network access and vulnerability scanning become critical security layers requiring expert oversight.

As organisations grapple with significant risks posed by insider threats and exploitable vulnerabilities, MSPs and MSSPs will play a pivotal role in ensuring compliance with security protocols and reducing the threat landscape.

2. Expansion of vCISO Consultancy Services

Cyber security expertise is harder to come by in 2025, and not every organisation can afford a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or CSO. Virtual CISO, sometimes referred to as vCISO, is a cost-effective alternative offering high-level security leadership on demand.

The UK's cyber security sector demonstrated significant resilience and growth over the past year, with a 13% increase in sector revenue and the creation of 2,700 new jobs.

This growth reflects the expanding need for strategic security leadership. Many organisations are turning to vCISOs and vCSO consultancy services to access high-level security expertise without the overhead of full-time executives.

In 2025, vCISOs are expected to become a standard solution for businesses of all sizes. These professionals provide strategic guidance, risk assessments, and incident management remotely, bridging the talent gap in the cyber security workforce.

3. Escalation of Ransomware Attacks Targeting Businesses

Ransomware remains a predominant threat in the UK, with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) managing 430 incidents in 2024, many involving ransomware attacks.

Ransomware attacks are predicted to become even more devastating by 2025, with threat actors employing more sophisticated techniques to bypass defences.

Sean predicts "ransomware will remain a major threat, evolving to include "double extortion" tactics. Businesses should implement rigorous backup, incident response, and recovery plans and adopt proactive strategies to detect and prevent ransomware attacks".

Double extortion involves both data encryption and the threat to leak stolen information unless a ransom is paid. Ransomware as a Service (RaaS), on the other hand, provides criminals with ready-made ransomware kits, lowering the technical barriers for those who want to carry out these attacks. In many cases, attackers may use RaaS platforms to apply double extortion methods, making both approaches equally concerning.

The ransomware as a service (RaaS) model will continue to dominate the cyber threat landscape in 2025. Threat actors will target both businesses and individuals, exploiting vulnerabilities in critical systems and connected devices. With adaptive malware and AI-powered tools, these attacks are becoming more sophisticated.

Businesses must adopt zero-trust architectures and enhance cloud security to mitigate such attacks. Proactive measures, including vulnerability assessments, security training, and phishing-resistant authentication methods, will be critical to protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity.

Chris Houghton, Client Service Director at Aztech IT Solutions stated “Organisations should have a vulnerability management program to have visibility of all the vulnerabilities on their estate, aim to patch critical and high CVEs in 14 days. Understand your risk - invest in vulnerability monitoring and management to see where the weaknesses are in your estate. AND - user awareness, cheap to implement and can prevent a lot of simple compromises”.

Organisations must prioritise robust backup strategies, endpoint detection tools, and employee training to combat this growing menace. Governments, meanwhile, are expected to implement stricter regulations requiring businesses to report ransomware incidents promptly. 

4. Evolution of Identity Theft Tactics to Bypass Traditional Safeguards

The rise of AI has facilitated the creation of hyper-personalised phishing scams targeting corporate executives, making it more challenging to detect fraudulent activities.

Identity theft is nothing new, but cyber-criminals are refining their tactics to bypass conventional safeguards. AI-powered tools can generate realistic fake identities, bypass security checks, and even impersonate real people online.

Here are some of the key ways criminals are exploiting AI for identity fraud:

• Deepfake Technology: AI-generated deepfakes can create highly realistic images, videos, and voice recordings. Cybercriminals use these to impersonate individuals during video calls, trick biometric security systems, or forge identity documents.
• AI-Generated Fake IDs: Tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney can produce convincing fake ID images, making it easier to bypass traditional identity verification processes, such as eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) checks.
• Credential Stuffing and Phishing: AI can automate large-scale credential stuffing attacks, where stolen usernames and passwords are tested across multiple websites. AI-powered chatbots can also create highly convincing phishing emails or messages to trick victims into handing over sensitive information.
• Synthetic Identity Fraud: Criminals use AI to piece together stolen personal details from different sources to create entirely new, synthetic identities. These identities can be used to apply for loans and credit cards, or even gain access to restricted services.
• Voice Cloning: AI voice synthesis tools can mimic someone's speech patterns and tone. Threat actors use this to impersonate business executives, family members, or customer support agents, convincing victims to transfer money or share confidential information.

Also, AI technologies such as Stable Diffusion, can generate realistic images, presenting a significant challenge to eKYC verification by potentially overcoming security measures.

Cyber security providers will need to innovate rapidly to counter these threats, likely focusing on multi-factor authentication (MFA), passwordless authentication and behavioural analytics to identify anomalies.

5. Supply Chain Risks & Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM)

Supply chain attacks—where threat actors infiltrate an organisation by targeting its vendors or partners—are expected to become more frequent and damaging by 2025. The interconnected nature of global software supply chains makes them an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit weak links.

Prominent examples, such as the SolarWinds breach, highlight the need for proactive measures. Businesses must work closely with their supply chain partners to enforce stringent security protocols, conduct regular audits, and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Sean believes "Threat actors are increasingly targeting third-party vendors to infiltrate businesses indirectly. To mitigate the supply chain risks, businesses should regularly evaluate third-party suppliers' cyber security measures and implement robust vendor risk assessment processes".

Third-party risk management (TPRM) helps protect businesses from supply chain attacks, where hackers target weak links in external vendors to gain access to larger organisations.

Businesses can minimise their risk by checking supplier security, keeping an eye out for threats, enforcing strict security measures, and having a clear plan in case of a breach. TPRM also helps companies to stay compliant with laws like GDPR and ISO 27001, avoiding fines and legal trouble.

6. Increased Targeting of Critical Infrastructure by Cyber Adversaries

According to Reuters, the UK has witnessed a 16% increase in hostile cyber activities in 2024 compared to 2023, with critical infrastructure sectors being prime targets.

Critical infrastructure—such as power grids, water supplies, and healthcare systems—will remain a top target for cyber adversaries in 2025. These attacks often aim to disrupt essential services, causing widespread panic and financial loss.

State-sponsored groups and independent malicious actors alike are likely to exploit vulnerabilities in legacy systems or IoT devices integrated into the infrastructure. Attacks on hospitals, for instance, could jeopardise patient care, while breaches of energy systems may lead to prolonged blackouts.

The evolving cyber security landscape demands robust strategies to protect critical systems and mitigate risks to critical layers of infrastructure.

Governments and organisations must collaborate to enhance threat detection, improve security protocols, and deploy generative AI-powered solutions to safeguard these vital systems.

The use of IoT devices in this infrastructure requires proactive security measures to address the risks posed by Internet of Things (IoT) vulnerabilities.

7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plays a Dual Role in Both Cyber-attacks and Defence Strategies

In this year's prediction, AI usage in cyber security will continue to evolve, presenting both opportunities and threats to businesses. While AI-powered tools can enhance threat detection and automate vulnerability assessments, they also enable threat actors to develop complex attacks and automate sophisticated exploits such as AI-powered social engineering attacks with ransomware and data exfiltration.

Sean believes that "Threat actors will increasingly leverage AI to launch more sophisticated and evasive attacks which will include AI-generated phishing emails and social engineering attacks that are highly convincing, adaptive malware (polymorphic malware) that can bypass traditional security measures, automated intrusion attempts and deepfake fraud for identity theft and security bypass.

Businesses should prepare to implement AI-driven threat detection tools for real-time anomaly identification, continuously train AI defensive models on evolving attack patterns and adopt a hybrid AI/human approach to cyber security".

Organisations must invest in gen AI-powered cyber security solutions and adaptive malware detection to stay ahead of adversaries. Also, security professionals will need to monitor AI systems closely to prevent their misuse and develop innovative solutions to counteract AI-driven cyber-attacks effectively. 

In the cyber security predictions for 2025, bad actors will likely use Large Language Models (LLMs) and machine learning to develop smarter malware that avoids detection, launch automated phishing campaigns, and exploit vulnerabilities faster than ever. On the flip side, security teams will use gen AI-driven solutions to anticipate threats, identify patterns, and respond in real-time.

8. Greater Disruption of Organised Cybercriminal Networks

The global effort to combat organised cyber-crime is expected to yield significant breakthroughs by 2025. The rise of AI tools and quantum computing presents an opportunity to disrupt organised cybercriminal networks. 

Efforts to disrupt organised threat actors have intensified, with the NCSC and UK law enforcement working with international partners to counter the threat of cybercrime.

Sean predicts that "new deployment of 5G networks will introduce a broader attack surface and new vulnerabilities, potentially enabling large-scale DDoS attacks and unauthorised data access. Businesses should stay informed about 5G-specific security risks and implement additional security measures for connected devices relying on 5G infrastructure".

Disruptive operations, including the seizure of dark web marketplaces and cryptocurrency laundering platforms, will reduce the profitability of cyber-crime. However, as these networks become more decentralised, they may adapt by adopting new communication tools and strategies. 

Despite these challenges, sustained efforts in intelligence sharing, legal reforms, data privacy and cyber-crime prevention education will play a pivotal role in curbing organised cyber threats.

9. Adoption of Phishing-Resistant Authentication Methods Gaining Momentum

Phishing remains one of the most effective methods for cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access to systems. By 2025, organisations will increasingly adopt phishing-resistant authentication methods to safeguard their digital ecosystems.

Passkeys, a passwordless authentication method using cryptographic keys, are gaining traction as a more secure alternative to traditional passwords. Similarly, advancements in biometric authentication, token-based systems, and single sign-on (SSO) platforms will minimise the risk of credential theft.

End-user awareness campaigns and phishing simulations will also continue to play a critical role in strengthening organisational defences against phishing attacks.

10. Rising Attacks on Open-Source Software and a Corresponding Increase in Legislative Oversight

Open-source software plays a critical role in modern technology, but its popularity has made it a prime target for cyber-criminals. In 2025, attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in open-source components will rise, threatening the stability of applications and systems worldwide.

In response, developers and organisations will need to prioritise regular code reviews, vulnerability patching, and dependency management. Governments are also likely to introduce stricter regulations to hold companies accountable for securing their software supply chains.

Initiatives such as the Open-Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) are expected to gain traction, promoting collaboration between developers, security professionals, and policymakers to address these challenges.

How can Aztech help?

The first step to keeping your business safe is a cybersecurity risk assessment. Our cyber threat intelligence team thoroughly checks your digital systems to spot weaknesses and potential threats. 

We use advanced tools to assess key areas like staff awareness, email security, ransomware risks, cloud security, IT policies, backups, and more. We also review both physical and remote security to identify vulnerabilities and predict future risks. 

After the assessment, we provide a detailed report with clear recommendations to strengthen your security, follow best practices, and reduce the chance of cyberattacks. 

Our Cybersecurity Risk Assessment Services give you practical insights and tailored advice to protect your business from ever-evolving cyber threats, no matter its size.

Final Thoughts

The cyber security landscape in 2025 will be defined by rapid advancements in technology, evolving threats, and the growing sophistication of threat actors. From the expansion of managed security service providers to the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication methods, organisations should be prepared to address complex cybersecurity challenges.

To sum up, our cyber security predictions for 2025 include AI-powered threats, ransomware with more complex extortion tactics, supply chain attacks, vulnerabilities in IoT and 5G networks, the rise of zero trust security and a growing need for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and virtual CISOs (vCISOs).