ISACA identifies five critical trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape in the year ahead
Bangalore, 21 February 2025 – 2025 is a critical year for the cybersecurity industry, marked by a rise in AI-powered threats, AI skills shortages, and an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. With major breaches and new regulations like the NIS2 Directive and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act reshaping the industry, organizations must be proactive in adapting to emerging challenges.
ISACA, a global professional association championing the digital trust workforce, has identified five key trends that will dominate cybersecurity in 2025:
- AI-Powered Threats: Attackers will leverage AI to craft highly sophisticated cyber threats, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish malicious activity from legitimate behavior. Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, will be vulnerable to AI-driven cyberattacks.
- Tight Job Market: ISACA’s recent State of Cybersecurity survey report found that cybersecurity hiring has slowed. This makes it even more imperative that cyber-related professionals take ownership of their career and pursue professional development opportunities that align with their goals – whether it be increasing their knowledge, gaining skills in areas such as AI or pursuing a new credential—like the new Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA).
- Increased Regulatory Requirements: As regulations like the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) take effect, organizations will face greater compliance pressures, especially in industries such as finance. The evolving regulatory environment will require companies stay informed, be agile, and not succumb to a checklist mentality.
- Complex Geopolitical Landscape—As adversaries leverage AI and misinformation, supply chain security concerns persist, and nation state attacks continue to rise, cybersecurity professionals are increasingly under pressure to deal with these external factors while facing internal constraints – notably increased regulatory requirements and fewer resources.
- Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The reliance on third-party vendors amplifies risk. Organizations must increase the resilience of supply chains and align with partners who adhere to strong security practices to minimize the likelihood of cascading cyber incidents.
“2025 will bring both significant challenges and transformative opportunities for cybersecurity professionals,” says Chris Dimitriadis, ISACA Chief Global Strategy Officer. “Organizations must embrace agility, make sound investments both in cybersecurity talent and solutions, and leverage emerging technologies towards innovating.”
To help cybersecurity professionals navigate the shifting landscape, ISACA offers expert insights in the latest ISACA Now blog posts from Niel Harper and Megan Hall, covering AI’s impact on cybersecurity and strategies for strengthening digital defenses. Additionally, the association offers AI training and globally recognized information security credentials, including the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and CCOA.
For additional cybersecurity resources, visit the ISACA Cybersecurity Hub.
