AI & Emerging Technology: BlueVoyant Look to 2025 Landscape
In an era of unprecedented digital transformation, the threat landscape is growing increasingly dynamic, as technological innovation meets sophisticated criminal tactics.
The rapid evolution of AI and emerging technologies has fundamentally reshaped how organisations defend against cyber threats and how malicious actors exploit digital vulnerabilities.
Yet the exact extent of which they will be used on either side is still being implemented and experimented with. To understand these complex dynamics, we spoke with Robert Hannigan, Head of International Business Europe and Middle East at BlueVoyant, about the 2025 landscape of cybersecurity.
The AI revolution in cybercrime
AI is dramatically reshaping cybercriminal strategies. Robert explains that AI has enabled criminals to scale sophisticated targeting techniques that were previously labour-intensive.
"AI has allowed cyber criminals to scale up what would previously have been bespoke tailored attacks against small numbers of high net worth targets," he notes.
The long-term trajectory suggests an increasingly automated security landscape. "As time goes on, I expect the focus of AI to move from greater productivity to increasingly automated security operations: machines defending against machines," Robert predicts.
Emerging technological challenges
Beyond AI, other technological developments are reshaping the cybersecurity ecosystem. Quantum computing emerges as a potential disruptor, presenting significant encryption risks.
"The gamechanger for the industry is AI, but the emergence of quantum computing will also make a huge difference to encryption," Robert warns. While quantum-safe encryption standards exist, many companies have yet to implement comprehensive protective strategies.
The ransomware landscape continues to evolve, with law enforcement disruptions leading to more fragmented attack patterns.
- Sophos reported a 5X increase in ransom bills in the last 12 months
"The successful law enforcement disruption of ransomware groups, notably LockBit, has led to fragmentation of the ransomware landscape, with less predictable and more dispersed groups and individuals," he explains.
Notably, geopolitical motivations are increasingly driving cyber attacks. Robert observes that nation-state actors are targeting critical infrastructure to cause disruption beyond financial gain.
"The choice of target is no longer driven simply by profit: geopolitics is clearly motivating groups to attack critical national industries," he notes.
Regulatory frameworks like DORA and NIS2 are compelling businesses to adopt more comprehensive security approaches. "Companies are being told that they will be held responsible for the security of their suppliers," Robert emphasises, highlighting the growing importance of supply chain security.
This comes as the overwhelming majority of serious and successful cyber-attacks now come through the supply chain: vendors and third parties are weak links even for well-protected companies.
Preparing for 2025
As organisations navigate these complex challenges, the future of cybersecurity demands continuous adaptation, technological innovation, and a holistic understanding of emerging digital threats.
"As time goes on, I expect the focus of AI to move from greater productivity to increasingly automated security operations: machines defending against machines,"
The landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying ahead requires not just technological prowess, but strategic foresight and proactive risk management.
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