Top 7 security risks for 2025

The exponential growth of new technologies, such as generative AI, in conjunction with the rapid adoption of cloud technologies and the boom of IoT devices, has created an abundance of data that needs to travel across diverse ecosystems. This proliferation of technology brings many benefits to organisations but simultaneously creates more vulnerabilities and security challenges to manage. Let’s dive into the top security risks you should be aware of this year, and what you can do to protect your data.

1. Supply chain attacks: The weakest link in your security

Today, organisations rely on multiple suppliers, vendors, and service providers, where supply chain attacks have become a major threat. Attackers exploit vulnerabilities in these third-party relationships to infiltrate systems and compromise data.

The main problem? Vulnerable code, compromised models, and a lack of visibility into who has your data and that they are doing with it. As cloud adoption grows, these weak links are increasingly exploited.

2. Data breaches: The cost of mismanagement

Data breaches remain one of the most pervasive and damaging security risks. They occur when sensitive, confidential or protected information leaves your company infrastructure without permission or awareness. Misconfigurations, weak runtime protections, and human error continue to expose sensitive information such as customer contact details, payment data, and intellectual property.

With the average cost of a data breach reaching $4.4 million, organisations need to have greater visibility over their data so that malicious actors can’t exploit every opportunity, whether that’s accidental exposure or a more sophisticated cyberattack.

3. Insecure APIs: A doorway for threat actors

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) enable services and applications to connect seamlessly, streamlining operations and reducing manual effort. However, this convenience may come with risks when third party services and applications are plugged into your own infrastructure using their own security processes. When APIs are inadequately secured, they can become entry points for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities, potentially leading to breaches of sensitive information such as financial details, passwords, and health records.

To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial to perform thorough due diligence and review APIs before integration.

4. Compliance challenges: Meeting regulatory requirements

As global regulatory pressures intensify, organisations must adhere to stricter regulations, including data residency and cyber risk assessments. In Europe, the updated Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) will reshape cybersecurity practices across sectors, requiring businesses to adopt more proactive security measures and report incidents promptly.

Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about demonstrating accountability and ensuring data resiliency. Failure to comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS can result in financial penalties and reputational damage.

5. IoT and edge devices: A growing attack surface

The surge in IoT and edge devices has expanded the attack surface, providing more entry points for cyber actors to exploit. Many IoT devices lack robust built-in security, with risks heightened by misconfigurations, unpatched systems, and weak passwords.  

Devices handling sensitive and mission-critical data are especially vulnerable, often being accessible via the public internet. This exposure increases the risk of significant threats, including espionage, disruption, and financial gain.  

6. Ransomware: The ever-evolving threat

Typically, ransomware attacks block access to a device and encrypt its data, but they have now reached new levels of sophistication, fuelled by automation and AI. These attacks don’t just encrypt data; they often involve data theft and multifaceted extortion. The Healthcare sector has been particularly impacted, from disrupted patient care to compromised prescriptions.

The rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), a cybercrime model where developers sell ransomware code to affiliates who launch attacks, has made it easier for even low-skill attackers to strike. In 2025, expect this trend to continue with more automated, AI-driven ransomware operations.

7. AI and Machine Learning: Risks to and from AI

On the topic of AI, this year we will further see its impact on cybersecurity as it equips attackers with advanced capabilities. Malicious actors are leveraging AI to automate attacks, generate convincing phishing schemes, and to create highly realistic deepfakes. In 2025, expect to see a surge in AI-driven scams, including impersonations and sophisticated social engineering techniques like "pig butchering" (long-term fraud schemes which are designed to exploit trust over time and are harder to detect).

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. AI is also being used defensively to combat attacks. AI-powered security operations centres (SOCs) and automated threat detection tools are enabling organisations to counter these advanced threats in real-time. Predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and continuous monitoring are reshaping defence strategies.

Building resilience in 2025

With more data being transported across a larger and more complex digital ecosystem, security risks are growing exponentially. From supply chain attacks to AI-driven threats, organisations need to stay vigilant and proactive.

To mitigate risk, businesses must understand where their data resides and ensure it moves securely. Solutions like Console Connect provide private network connectivity between clouds, data centres, apps and devices ensuring your data is securely routed and can be monitored via our on-demand platform.

Learn more about how Console Connect provides seamless and secure data movement to keep your business protected in 2025.