Cybersecurity: the 5 biggest threats in 2025 and how to counter them

Introduction

The year 2025 promises to bring increasing cybersecurity challenges. Cybercriminals are refining their techniques and taking advantage of technological developments to target businesses of all sizes. It is essential for organizations to know what the main threats will be in 2025, so that they can adopt appropriate protective measures. Here are the 5 biggest cybersecurity threats in 2025 and our advice on how to counter them.

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1. Next-generation ransomware

Ransomware attacks continue to wreak havoc in 2025. Cybercriminals are developing more sophisticated ransomware, capable of encrypting massive volumes of data and rendering critical systems inaccessible. These targeted attacks are often aimed at large companies willing to pay high ransoms to restore their operations.

How to protect yourself :
Make regular backups of your data (including copies stored offline), keep your software up to date to correct the vulnerabilities exploited by these malwares, and train your employees to spot suspicious e-mails and attachments to prevent initial infection.

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2. Software supply chain attacks

Supply chain attacks, already observed in recent years, will be among the major threats in 2025. Hackers no longer target the company directly, but one of its suppliers or software publishers to infiltrate a large number of victims at once. By compromising a software update or a third-party component used by the company, hackers can insert malicious code and gain privileged access to their targets’ systems.

How to protect yourself :
Rigorously assess the third-party risks associated with your suppliers (see our article on supplier risk management), impose high security standards on them, and monitor any abnormal activity during software updates. Implementing a third-party cybersecurity strategy is essential to avoid these insidious attacks.

💡 Tip: To automatically assess your suppliers and analyze their security practices, use Answer Writer to create and analyze your third-party risk management questionnaires.

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3. Advanced phishing and social engineering

Phishing is still a very common attack vector, but it’s getting more sophisticated. By 2025, phishing emails and other social engineering attempts will be even more convincing, using, for example, personalized information or even audio/video deepfakes to fool employees. President fraud scams (fake bank transfer orders) are becoming harder to detect because of these sophisticated techniques.

How to protect yourself:
Reinforce cybersecurity awareness training for all employees, implement multiple verification procedures for sensitive transactions (e.g. telephone confirmation for a bank transfer), and use advanced anti-spam/anti-phishing filters that analyze the language and origin of messages. A healthy culture of distrust in the face of unsolicited communications is your best asset.

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4. IoT vulnerabilities

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand the attack surface for businesses in 2025. Surveillance cameras, industrial sensors, connected medical equipment… these are all IoT devices which, if poorly secured, can become gateways for hackers. Vulnerabilities in these connected objects can lead to network intrusions, device hijacking (botnets) or theft of sensitive data.

How to protect yourself :
Keep the firmware of all connected devices up to date, segment your network (place IoT objects on a network separate from the core information system), and change the default passwords on these devices. Adopt connected object management solutions that monitor and control access to these devices. Finally, only integrate IoT devices into your environment that are certified or reputed for their security.

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5. AI-driven attacks and deepfakes

Artificial intelligence isn’t just for defenders: attackers are exploiting it too. By 2025, we expect to see automated AI-driven attacks, capable of scanning systems for vulnerabilities more quickly and launching coordinated offensives. At the same time, deepfakes (fake AI-generated content) can be used to impersonate executives or create false evidence to manipulate the company or its staff.

How to protect yourself :
Invest in AI-assisted cybersecurity solutions that can detect abnormal behavior or subtle intrusions. Implement strict identity verification processes, especially for large transactions (e.g. double authentication, confirmation video calls). Keep abreast of the latest fraud techniques so you can adjust your defenses accordingly.

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Conclusion

In the face of constantly evolving IT threats in 2025, companies need to be proactive and vigilant. Identifying the greatest cybersecurity threats enables you to focus your efforts where the risk is greatest. By applying the preventive measures described for each threat – from anti-ransomware safeguards to vendor monitoring to anti-phishing training – your company significantly strengthens its security posture.

Don’t forget that a global strategy is needed: it’s all about anticipating and protecting, as well as planning how to respond in the event of an incident.

To find out more, read our article on corporate cybersecurity strategy, to put in place a 360° defense against these cyber-risks.