SavoirBe4Cybersecurity forecasts for 2025 highlight the rapid evolution of cyber threats in 2024, largely driven by the growing popularity and number of AI tools around the world.
These tools help cybercriminals refine and make their attack tactics more sophisticated and harder to detect, while helping cybersecurity professionals defend against attacks more effectively.
Also read: Online scams in Africa: KnowBe4 report exposes cybercriminal tactics
AI-powered tools for cyber defense and attacks will continue to improve
As AI technology advances, both defenders and attackers are taking advantage of its capabilities. On the cybersecurity side, sophisticated AI-based tools that detect and respond to threats more effectively are being developed. Capabilities such as AI, which can analyze large amounts of data, identify anomalies and improve the accuracy of threat detection, will be of great help to cybersecurity teams in the future .
However, cybercriminals are also adopting AI to create more advanced attack methods. For example, AI-powered social engineering campaigns that manipulate emotions and more effectively target specific vulnerabilities will make it difficult to distinguish between real and fake content. As AI capabilities evolve on both sides, the clash between defenders and attackers intensifies, making constant innovation and adaptation crucial.
Ransomware attacks will remain a problem
Ransomware attacks will continue to pose a massive threat due to collaboration between ransomware gangs and initial access brokers. To combat this, AI will become a popular tool for monitoring networks and individual devices for anomalies such as unusual encryption processes. This will significantly reduce the impact of attempted ransomware attacks.
The human factor in cybersecurity will become more of a priority
Organizations will continue to recognize the importance of frequent security awareness training and simulated phishing testing to manage the inherent human risk that exists within them. At the same time, cybercriminals will continue to perfect their social engineering techniques, making attacks more personalized and effective.
The challenge going forward will be to keep employees vigilant without causing phishing fatigue. To avoid this, it is important that organizations work to make training more adaptive and relevant to employees to create better protections and commitment to a positive safety culture.
Improving deepfake detection technologies
By 2025, AI deepfake detection technologies will improve, become more accessible, and more effectively address the growing concern around identifying deepfakes. On the other hand, cybercriminals are also expected to exploit disinformation and fake news in their attacks, using them to accelerate extortion, hide other attacks, or damage the organization’s reputation.
Read: Dangers of deepfakes
Adopting a Zero Trust Mindset and Cyber Awareness
There will be a wider adoption of a zero trust mindset and cyber awareness, representing a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Organizations that embrace these principles encourage a vigilant attitude among their employees, treating every user and device as a potential threat. Training employees to maintain a healthy level of skepticism encourages them to apply their critical thinking skills, and this mindset shift will be another crucial step in mitigating internal risks.
Exploitation and overlap of cybersecurity and human trafficking in Africa
The region has seen an increase in cybercriminals targeting its youth with fake job opportunities, often resulting in human trafficking. The concern is that the overlap of cybercrime and human trafficking will continue to intensify in 2025.
Targeted attacks such as romance and business scams will increase as cybercriminals become more adept at exploiting economic hardship and limited digital literacy.
“The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly and the dynamics between defenders and attackers have never been more complex,” said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO, KnowBe4. “As we move into 2025, we must harness the potential of AI to strengthen our defenses and protect organizations globally. At KnowBe4, we are committed to staying at the forefront of this evolution, providing human risk management tools and tactics to protect organizations against sophisticated threats. It’s a continuous journey of innovation and adaptation.
It is more important than ever to focus on the human element in organizations to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. One of the best forms of defense is cultivating a strong safety culture.