Kiteworks analysts determine 12 key trends shaping 2025’s tumultuous cyber landscape

The cybersecurity industry is no stranger to the winds of change, but analysts predict that turbulent times are ahead. With AI joining the cyber arms race, regulatory standards tightening their grip globally, and an incoming U.S. presidential administration seeking to depower agencies like CISA, 2025 promises to be a year to prepare for.

Kiteworks, a data privacy and compliance company, recently released its annual Cybersecurity Forecast to determine what the near future might look like.

The 12 Trends Shaping 2025

Kiteworks identified twelve major cyber trends poised to shape the industry in 2025:

Global Data Privacy Evolution. The adoption of increasingly strict data management practices is expected to pick up in 2025, especially as regulations expand at the state level and privacy laws tighten globally. AI is the primary focus of data transparency and accountability standards.

Software Supply Chain Security. The heightened risk of supply chain cyberattacks will persist into the next year, with third-party software ecosystems remaining a susceptible link. Zero-trust security models will become more normalized to combat this. Despite efforts from entities like CISA to bolster national security, the incoming Trump administration and promised changes to the agency’s focus mean organizations should remain cautious, adaptable, and vigilant.

Multilayered Security Architecture. Integrated and multilayered security architectures are set to become the industry standard. Organizations will be encouraged to implement multiple technologies into a centralized ecosystem to prevent a single compromised layer from crippling the entire system.

Secure Content Collaboration. An increase in multilayered security architectures equals increasing collaboration with third parties. Whether through stakeholder communications or technology integrations, this exchange holds the inherent risk of data exposure. Adopting secure content collaboration platforms and zero-trust measures is expected to become more common.

Consolidated Communications Security. Email, file sharing, web forms, and other communication methods are necessary but can cause headaches for organizations. Lack of integration can hinder compliance efforts, create inconsistent security protocols, and increase the attack surface. Coming into next year, organizations will look to consolidate their communications and eliminate silos.

API Security and Automation of Secure Content Communications. APIs, for all of their usefulness in streamlining operations and automation, come with their own set of risks. Regular update checks and routine vulnerability scans must be prioritized to retain the efficiency APIs provide in the turbulent cyber landscape 2025 promises to deliver.

Regulatory Compliance Evolution. Regulations have been evolving alongside the industry’s newest and most disruptive technologies. Enforcement of the U.S. AI Act and implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, among other domestic and international security standards, will make proactive readiness assessments and a compliance-driven culture crucial to success in 2025.

Data Classification Strategies. Already sophisticated automated data classification tools are set to become even more robust next year. Regulatory pressure regarding data privacy laws and compliance will make data classification a vital area of focus. The evolution of metadata management is another encouraging factor for businesses to examine their data landscape fully moving forward.

Multidimensional Risk Assessment. As AI and analytics grow more powerful, real-time threat intelligence, attack patterns, and behavioral assessments will make predictive models and proactive decision-making attractive to organizations in 2025. Multidimensional risk assessments across cybersecurity, compliance, and other areas will be necessary for those navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Data Security Risks. Advances in AI's positive applications come part and parcel with its threat potential. With AI already lowering the barrier of entry for cybercriminals, attacks will likely become more frequent and sophisticated, with the potential for real-time malicious code generation causing concern among analysts. Threat detection tools explicitly designed to counteract AI will be popular, alongside automated auditing tools, adversarial testing, and AI governance frameworks.

Compliance-driven Security. Transparency and accountability surrounding AI and data security will drive businesses to center cybersecurity compliance and stay ahead of looming regulations. Dynamic risk management frameworks diversified for specific locations and industries are expected to increase adoption.

Quantum Computing Increases Risk Over Time. The rapid growth of quantum computing technology threatens modern encryption protocols despite its benefits for machine learning and other applications. The policy will evolve to address these threats. Still, businesses must take proactive steps to implement quantum-resilient strategies and adopt post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards to safeguard their assets.

Recommendations for Proactive Preparation

Considering these predictions, there are a few paths to preparation available. However, all lead to the same conclusion: proactive threat mitigation is key.

Unify your cyber approach. Prioritize investment in scalable technologies, like compliance monitoring and predictive threat intelligence, and unify your approach to risk management. When cooperating with third parties, stay on top of their vulnerabilities, assess risk often, and take stock of their security hygiene and best practices.

AI can bolster your cybersecurity posture, but be prepared for its challenges. AI is a powerful tool that can be leveraged for harmful purposes. Utilize AI to handle automation processes, predictive threat assessments, and real-time monitoring, but ensure that governance does not fall by the wayside. Neglecting to do so also puts your organization at risk and opens the door to selection bias and decision-making oversights.

The policy landscape is shifting, so find your footing. With a new U.S. presidential administration incoming and a global push for regulation enforcement, 2025 promises a radical shift in regulatory policy. Stay ahead of the curve by adopting and maintaining robust governance, adapting to new security frameworks, and integrating automated compliance risk monitoring. Focus efforts on data discovery and classification to identify sensitive assets to improve chances of regulatory compliance.

Organizations can weather the storm by investing in a proactive, adaptable, and continuously improving security culture.