GitLab & Illumio reveal AI & cybersecurity trends for 2025

GitLab and Illumio have shared their predictions for the cyber and software development landscape in 2025.

GitLab's Ashley Kramer, CMSO and interim CRO, forecasts a transformative impact from AI-powered vulnerability remediation within software development. "The integration of AI-powered vulnerability remediation tools will revolutionise the software development landscape," Kramer stated, highlighting the potential for organisations to better quantify the return on investment from AI-based tools. This shift marks a departure from the current challenges faced by businesses in assessing AI's impact across various functions due to misaligned focus.

Ashley Kramer also noted a trend for companies to adopt customised on-premise AI models, facilitated by the improving performance and reduced cost of open-source AI models in comparison to commercial versions. "We will see more companies run their own customised AI models on-prem," Kramer added, suggesting that organisations will find it more efficient to self-manage their AI systems.

Sabrina Farmer, CTO at GitLab, emphasised a forthcoming shift in risk management practices due to growing awareness of AI risks and regulatory changes. "In 2025, lawsuits will mount against LLM providers if they are unable to certify that copyrighted data was not used to train models," Farmer explained. This legal landscape will push companies to select solution providers who offer transparency and guarantees for data protection.

Developers, according to Farmer, will benefit from AI by turning their attention to strategic tasks while AI handles routine coding processes. "Developers will leave code testing to AI and focus on higher-value projects," Farmer stated, pointing to AI's potential to automate testing and provide comprehensive insights into solution effectiveness.

Emilio Salvador, VP of Strategy and Developer Relations at GitLab, anticipates a future dominated by intelligent AI agents within applications. Salvador stated, "The future of applications is shifting toward intelligent, adaptable AI agents that surpass the limitations of traditional software." This vision involves AI that evolves beyond fixed workflows to offer a more conversational and responsive user experience.

Salvador also commented on the growing prevalence of on-premise AI deployments. "More companies will run customised AI models on-premise," he noted, identifying economic advantages and the ability to tailor AI for specific organisational needs.

In the identity management domain, Josh Lemos, Chief Information Security Officer at GitLab, outlined the increasing demand for adaptive identity management in cloud-native workloads. He noted the transition towards a more flexible framework "reflecting the agility required for modern digital interactions," as AI-driven applications necessitate robust identity and permissions management.

Raghu Nandakumara, Head of Industry Solutions at Illumio, shared insights on cybersecurity investment trends anticipated in 2025. "Security budgets will continue to rise in 2025," he observed, predicting a shift from fashionable technologies towards those that minimise attack impacts on critical assets.

Nandakumara also remarked on the evolving leadership roles in cybersecurity. "The nuanced and specialised role of the CISO will be phased out to make way for Chief Security Officers (CSOs) in 2025," he stated, highlighting the need for unified security oversight in light of increasing IT and OT system interconnectivity.

Trevor Dearing, Director of Critical Infrastructure at Illumio, warned of potential cyberattacks on critical infrastructure anticipated in the coming year. He suggested that such an event may "force a much-needed rethink by government and industry in cyber resilience," potentially leading to innovative protective frameworks.

Dearing also pointed to the rapid adoption of Zero Trust and NIST Cybersecurity Frameworks as organisations seek more resilient security strategies to protect increasingly interconnected operational technology environments.

As organisations prepare for 2025, GitLab and Illumio offer valuable perspectives on the integration and adaptation of AI within the realms of software development and cybersecurity, while underscoring the importance of strategic planning and investment in these areas.