Information technology (IT) has changed significantly over the last decade, with cybersecurity representing one of the most dynamic disciplines. The nature of technology is ever-evolving, and the threats also keep changing. As we move forward into 2025, cybersecurity will remain at the forefront of both innovation and concern. If you are responsible for protecting your organization’s data and network, these are the specific areas we recommend focusing on.
- Internet of Things: The Internet of Things (IoT) has been expanding at lightning speed. The IoT refers to internet-connected devices other than personal devices, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart home appliances, voice assistants, and (RFID) tags. It is estimated that by the year 2030, the number of IoT devices in use globally will surpass 32 billion. With so much available “attack surface,” cybercriminals have a whole new avenue of attack. The expansion of IoT is likely to continue rapidly in 2025, so ways to protect each device from breach will become increasingly necessary.
- Ransomware: The increasing frequency of ransomware attacks (81% increase from 2023 to 2024) represents an ongoing headache for all IT professionals. Ransomware locks users out of individual computers — or even comprehensive networks — until the ransom is paid in full. Even after the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that data will be returned in its entirety and not compromised in other ways. In 2025, IT professionals expect to see more double extortion attacks. Double extortion is an advanced tactic where attackers combine data encryption with stolen data to maximize the pressure on victim businesses.
- Artificial Intelligence: The far-reaching implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) has represented a major shift since 2022. While it helped businesses elevate and enhance their efficiency, it also provided bad actors with new inroads and opportunities. For instance, generative AI and machine learning (ML) technologies can give even amateur cybercriminals the ability to develop sophisticated malware or scale their attacks to target more victims. Artificial intelligence can even create realistic fake videos or audio recordings to impersonate trusted individuals or spread bad information.
- Extended Reality: Extended reality (XR) technologies, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are becoming prolific in diverse applications. However, many do not have the inherent
cybersecurity protections of most IT resources. Many XR programs come from third-party developers, increasing the risk of unreliable content. VR and AR technologies collect biometric data from their users, including valuable data that hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your network. - Public Cloud: While most businesses have returned to in-office operations, many still have large numbers of remote workers. The proliferation of the remote workforce has led to businesses relying on public cloud data centers for services. While cloud service providers generally put extensive security measures in place to protect data from cyber threats, some risks remain challenging. These may include failing to correctly configure cloud settings to comply with industry regulations, or not comprehensively securing access via application programming interfaces (APIs). If APIs are not secured, bad actors can exploit them and successfully gain unauthorized access.
Dynamic Solutions for Evolving Cybersecurity
When approaching cybersecurity issues that affect IT, having an expert team on your side can help you make strategic decisions about security requirements. With decades of experience and valuable insight, Alliance IT will help small—to medium-sized businesses across various industries face the common security risks that they face daily.
The team at Alliance IT can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of how cybersecurity risks affect your company and provide quality resources to help you protect yourself. Call today to learn more about how we can help you and your team thrive in 2025.
