Top cybersecurity threats and predictions for 2025

This covert threat involves unauthorized access to computer systems and networks with the intent to gather sensitive information, potentially causing severe consequences. It can range from shattered corporate reputations or loss of competitive advantage to compromised national security. In this context, understanding common cyber espionage tactics is critical to implement effective countermeasures. 

Business email compromise 

Characterized by its deceptive simplicity, business email attacks involve impersonating a trusted individual or entity through email communication to manipulate employees, clients, or consumers into revealing sensitive information or executing fraudulent financial transactions. This can often result in substantial economic losses and reputational damage. 

Credential stuffing 

Threat actors use stolen usernames and passwords from one website or service to gain access to other accounts, exploiting individuals who use the same login credentials across multiple platforms. This tactic relies on reused passwords, making it an effective method to compromise accounts and access sensitive information.

Insider threat 

According to a recent Verizon report, the average external threat compromises about 200 million records, while incidents involving an inside threat actor have resulted in the exposure if 1 billion records or more.  This is a significant cyber threat tactic wherein individuals with authorized access to an organization’s systems and data exploit their position. These individuals can be employees, contractors, or business partners. 

Supply chain attacks 

In these attacks, actors seek to compromise third-party vendors or suppliers to access the target organization’s systems or data. They can then undermine the security of the entire supply chain, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromises, or other adverse consequences. Proactive risk mitigation is essential to counter this multi-layered and evolving threat.

This campaign involves deliberate acts to disrupt the digital infrastructure with the intent to compromise the integrity, confidentiality, or reputation of the target company for ideological, personal, or competitive reasons. It is crucial to understand what tactics to look for when developing effective defence strategies against cyber sabotage. Familiarize yourself with the following tactics: 

Ransomware 

The Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2023, indicated that organizations faced an increased rate of ransomware attacks from the previous year, the number of human-operated ransomware attacks went up more than 200%. Ransomware is characterized by the encryption, or at times, the modification of critical data to extort a ransom from targeted victims. Cybercriminals are increasingly collaborating, sharing tools and tactics, and casting a wider net to target organizations of all sizes. These factors have contributed to the escalating frequency and sophistication of ransomware incidents, posing a significant risk to businesses and critical infrastructure worldwide.

In October 2023, The Toronto Public Library, Canada’s biggest library network, fell victim to a ransomware attack. Cybercriminals encrypted the library’s computer systems and stole employee data, causing widespread disruption to services. In May 2024, Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., was hit by a ransomware attack that disrupted operations for weeks. And back in February, Hyundai Motor Europe suffered a Black Basta ransomware attack in which three terabytes of corporate data was stolen. These are just a few examples of incidents that have significantly impacted organizations and people around the world.

Denial of service 

Denial of service (DoS) attacks aim to disrupt the availability of online services or websites by overwhelming their servers with a flood of traffic, rendering them inaccessible to legitimate users. This typically involves using multiple compromised devices or a botnet to generate excessive requests or traffic. The main objective is not to steal data but to cause operational disruption to the targeted organization.

Process sabotage

These attacks focus on data-dependent processes essential for smooth operations. By either altering or deleting critical data, the attacks render operational protocols ineffective. For example, consider a fleet of vehicles operating under a strict maintenance schedule. If the maintenance records were manipulated or deleted, vehicle readiness could be compromised, disrupting the entire logistical chain.

A pervasive and ever-evolving threat, cyber fraud is a blanket term for a wide range of illicit activities aimed at financial gain or data compromise. The tactics involve using emails and social engineering techniques to exploit vulnerabilities in an organization, often leading to detrimental consequences. Countermeasures should include robust authentication protocols, employee awareness programs, and monitoring systems to detect unusual activities.

Credential exposure

Perhaps one of the most elementary forms of cyber fraud, credential exposure often manifests through phishing attempts via email, phone calls, or even text messages. Usually, the narrative involves an urgent requirement for account verification or a refund process. Awareness is the frontline defence in this case—knowing, for example, that legitimate financial institutions or governmental bodies will never solicit personal information via unsolicited communications.

Account takeover 

Account takeover (ATO) occurs when a malicious actor gains control of a legitimate account (bank, email, socials) without the owner’s permission. It is often possible by exploiting weaknesses in authentication or security measures. Human inertia around password changes plays into the hands of fraudsters. ATO can be especially damaging for organizations where customer profiles in external applications can be monetized, such as in loyalty programs.

Payment fraud

Often interconnected with business email compromise, payment fraud aims to initiate unauthorized financial transactions. It usually involves impersonating a trusted entity and requesting an accounts payable officer to alter banking details for a pending payment. The timing is often meticulously planned to coincide with periods when vigilance might be lowered—like the weekend onset or when senior management is out of the office.

A potent form of digital attack, this involves the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information with the intent to deceive, manipulate, or cause confusion—it’s a powerful tool used to manipulate public opinion and create unrest. These campaigns often use online channels like social media, email, and websites, underscoring the importance of media literacy, critical thinking, and fact-checking.

The impacts of misinformation are vast, ranging from the loss of public trust and credibility to actual financial or societal harm. Combating it requires a multi-faceted approach that involves individual vigilance and collective action. Using your organization’s digital risk protection capabilities like cyber threat intelligence, you can spot misinformation early and take it down to minimize its impact on the brand and the public. The main types of misinformation tactics are:

Brand Abuse

Cybercriminals or malicious actors can use misinformation to tarnish a brand's reputation. This can range from spreading false reviews and information, creating fake social media accounts that impersonate the brand, or setting up fraudulent websites like legitimate ones. Such tactics can confuse customers, harm the brand, and may even result in financial losses.

Election Fraud

Misinformation can also be weaponized to disrupt the democratic process. False narratives or doctored materials can be distributed to mislead voters, undermine candidates, or manipulate election outcomes.