The 2025 edition of the Global Cybersecurity Outlook from the World Economic Forum, along with findings from Check Point Research, reveals an increasingly complex and dangerous cybersecurityCybersecurity solutions are essential in the AI era… landscape driven by geopolitical tensions, technological advancements, and sophisticated threats. As organizations face rising risks, these trends underscore the need for proactive and collaborative strategies to ensure digital resilience.
1. Geopolitical Tensions Intensify Cyber Risks
According to the Forum’s report, 60% of organizations state that geopolitical tensions are influencing their cybersecurity strategies. These tensions have resulted in an increase of state-sponsored cyberattacks that use advanced tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) for misinformation campaigns, espionage, and sabotage of critical infrastructure. In the words of a senior cybersecurity executive interviewed by the Forum, “attacks not only target governments; they also aim to destabilize economies and essential services.”
2. Supply Chain: The Weak Link in Cybersecurity
54% of large organizations identify supply chain risks as a critical barrier to achieving cybersecurity resilience. The complexity of global supply chains and lack of visibility into suppliers’ security levels have created vulnerabilities that attackers increasingly exploit. The Forum emphasizes that standards like the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act are designed to mitigate these risks, but their implementation still faces challenges.
3. AI: A Tool for Both Defense and Attack
66% of surveyed organizations believe that AI will have a significant impact on cybersecurity by 2025, but only 37% have processes in place to assess the security of AI tools before implementing them. Furthermore, generative AI is enhancing cybercriminals’ capabilities, enabling them to conduct more sophisticated attacks, such as using deepfakes for fraud and customizing social engineering attacks.
A recent case cited in the report illustrates how attackers used deepfakes to impersonate high-level executives, tricking employees into transferring millions of euros. This type of threat underscores the importance of combining technology with ongoing employee training.
4. Regulatory Fragmentation: A Growing Challenge
As cybersecurity regulations increase, companies face difficulties keeping up with fragmented requirements across different jurisdictions. 76% of cybersecurity leaders state that the proliferation of regulations affects their ability to comply. However, these regulations are essential for establishing minimum security standards, as demonstrated by the NIS2 Directive in the EU and the CIRCIA Act in the United States.
5. Skills Gap: A Critical Obstacle
The lack of cybersecurity professionals remains a critical challenge. The report highlights that only 14% of organizations feel confident they have the necessary skills to address cyber risks, a deficit that particularly affects the public sector and small businesses. Initiatives such as specialized training programs and adopting automation technologies can help close this gap.
Conclusion: Adapting to Complexity and Fostering Resilience
In an increasingly interconnected and complex cyber environment, organizations must adopt comprehensive approaches that include:
- Public-Private Collaboration: Cooperation between sectors is essential to address global threats.
- Strategic Investments: Integrate cybersecurity into enterprise risk management and prioritize resources toward advanced technology.
- Cybersecurity Culture: Educate employees and foster a collective awareness of risks.
As cyberattacks evolve, organizations that take a preventive approach and adapt to the changing landscape will not only be able to protect their operations but also contribute to the resilience of the global digital ecosystem.
via: World Economic Forum