Check Point predicts AI will shape cyber threats by 2025

Check Point Software Technologies has issued its cyber security predictions for 2025, forecasting significant challenges for organisations as they encounter emerging technologies and sophisticated cyber criminal tactics.

The report highlights that AI-driven attacks will be a prominent concern next year. Cyber criminals are expected to leverage artificial intelligence to craft highly targeted phishing campaigns and adapt malware in real-time to evade traditional detection mechanisms. "In 2025, AI will drive both attacks and protections. Security teams will rely on AI-powered tools tailored to their unique environments, but adversaries will respond with increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven phishing and deepfake campaigns," stated Dr. Dorit Dor, Chief Technology Officer at Check Point.

A sharp increase in ransomware attacks targeting supply chains is also anticipated. With the integration of AI-enhanced phishing emails and deepfake impersonations, these assaults are expected to become more personalised and widespread, potentially affecting entire industries.

The misuse of AI is another predicted area of concern. The increasing incorporation of AI tools like ChatGPT into business operations may lead to inadvertent data breaches. Organisations are encouraged to implement governance frameworks to oversee AI usage meticulously, thereby safeguarding sensitive data against unintentional external exposure.

Quantum computing poses an imminent threat to current encryption methods. Although quantum attacks are not expected immediately, industries such as finance and healthcare are advised to consider adopting quantum-safe encryption techniques to remain ahead of potential future threats.

Social media will likely become a fertile ground for cybercriminal activity, as personal data is exploited for targeted scams and impersonations. The development of AI-powered deepfakes is set to exacerbate these issues, creating new challenges for financial transactions and corporate security. Such attacks will necessitate the implementation of real-time AI defences to detect and counteract them effectively.

AI-driven Security Operations Centres (SOCs) are expected to transform security management by enhancing data processing capabilities and threat prioritisation, thus streamlining response times and decreasing the occurrence of false alerts.

The convergence of the CIO and CISO roles is projected as AI adoption grows within enterprises. "Meanwhile, attackers will exploit overlooked vulnerabilities as well as service accounts and machine-to-machine access keys for lateral movement within networks, further complicating defences," Dr. Dor continued. The report suggests this convergence will align IT and security more closely as companies navigate towards integrated risk management.

The increasing reliance on cloud-based security platforms is another trend predicted for 2025. It is expected that firms will shift towards comprehensive cloud security solutions, which leverage AI to transition from reactive to proactive threat management.

With the expansion of IoT technology, anticipated to reach 32 billion devices by 2025, the corresponding attack surface will expand significantly. Cybercriminals could exploit the vulnerability of poorly secured IoT devices, thus breaching broader cloud network systems. In response, organisations may need to adopt Zero Trust architectures alongside AI-enhanced threat detection systems.

Check Point advises businesses to prepare for these and other cybersecurity challenges by adopting preventative strategies and swiftly adapting to emerging threat landscapes to protect their operations.