In 2025, the offensive security landscape is set to evolve significantly, with cybercriminals leveraging advanced technologies to launch more sophisticated attacks. Here are some key trends to watch:
AI-Driven Threats
Attackers are increasingly using AI to automate and scale their operations. This includes creating near-flawless deepfakes, aggregating data across breaches, and launching highly targeted phishing campaigns. As AI tools become more accessible, the potential for financial fraud and social engineering attacks will grow exponentially.
Triple Extortion Models
Ransomware attacks will continue to rise, with attackers targeting not just organizations but their entire ecosystems, including suppliers and customers. This triple extortion model aims to maximize profits by squeezing every possible connection within a victim’s network.
Living Off the Land Attacks
Cybercriminals are expected to exploit legitimate tools and processes within an organization’s network to avoid detection. This technique, known as “living off the land,” allows attackers to spread across networks, establish multiple backdoors, and re-enter if initial access points are cut off.
Supply Chain Attacks
Supply chain vulnerabilities remain a significant concern, with attackers targeting third-party vendors to compromise multiple downstream organizations. The complexity and lack of visibility into suppliers’ security are major barriers to cyber resilience.
Cloud and Multi-Cloud Security
As businesses adopt multi-cloud environments, attackers will target cloud services and APIs as weak links in the security chain. Organizations must ensure robust cloud security solutions that offer consistent policies across multiple platforms.
