Cybersecurity 2024: What Has the Past Year Taught Us and How to Prepare for the Challenges of 2025?

The beginning of a new year naturally brings moments of reflection and analysis. It's a time when business leaders question past trends, compare predictions with reality, and evaluate what worked and what remained in the realm of theory. Looking back at the predictions for 2024, it is clear that some did not achieve the expected effect, while others, perhaps less prominent, showed their real weight. The key question for all of us now is: what have we learned from the past year and how can we improve our approaches to proactively respond to future threats?

New technologies, in particular artificial intelligence (AI), continue to be at the heart of global cybersecurity discussions. Nevertheless, while AI has significantly influenced the shaping of the cyber landscape, its performance in 2024 has remained below the most dramatic expectations. On a global level, huge changes were announced, including an increase in AI-generated attacks and manipulations, but the reality turned out to be more nuanced.

AI: Between Prediction and Reality

Artificial intelligence has played a significant role in the development of sophisticated phishing campaigns and deepfake scams, especially during the pre-election processes in a "super-election year" when almost half of the world's population went to the polls. The generation of fake news, manipulation through deepfake content and the growth of the activities of internet trolls have pointed to deep vulnerabilities in the political and information space. However, despite expectations of a massive shift in security dynamics, AI's role in the global security landscape has not been as disruptive as many had predicted.

Ransomware Attacks: Domination with Deeper Consequences

The year 2024 has been marked by a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks with double-blackmail tactics. The attackers threatened to publish sensitive data with ransom demands, thereby raising the level of pressure on the organizations. In this context, a key lesson for all administrations is the realization that investing in preventive measures is no longer a matter of additional costs, but an existential requirement. The implementation of the Zero Trust model, which spills over from 2024 to 2025, is becoming a necessary component of any serious security strategy.

Regulation and hyperregulation: Opportunity or threat?

In 2024, Europe was strongly affected by hyperregulation. The transposition of the NIS2 Directive into national laws, the entry into force of the Cyber Resilience Act, and the move towards the implementation of the EU AI Act posed enormous challenges. While regulations increase transparency and security, there is a risk of excessive bureaucratization that can slow down innovation and make adaptation more difficult, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs). Boards need to consider how to align their processes with regulations without losing agility.

Quantum threat: Reality or exaggerated predictions?

While quantum technology is still evolving, predictions for 2025 include an increased threat from traditional encryption methods. Post-quantum cryptography is becoming a priority for organizations looking to protect their data from future threats. Although experts warn of the urgency of preparations, the question remains: will quantum computers in 2025 really reach the level of threat predicted, or will the experience of exaggerated expectations like AI in 2024 be repeated?

Attacks on supply chains and critical infrastructure: Key targets in 2025

Attacks on supply chains, seen in 2024, will continue to evolve into more sophisticated threats. Criminals target suppliers with lower security standards to access critical sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and energy. Critical infrastructure, including the energy sector, transportation, and healthcare, remains the primary target of attacks, with a particular focus on a combination of ransomware attacks and social engineering.

Education and Involvement of Senior Management: The Need for a Paradigm Change

One of the most important lessons of 2024 is the need to raise awareness levels within organizations, especially among senior management. Educating employees about security risks must become a priority, and the role of management is not only to approve such initiatives but also to actively participate. Security must be part of strategic discussions at the highest level.

Conclusion: Ready for 2025?

The year 2025 promises to bring more complex challenges, but it is also an opportunity for organizations to demonstrate their resilience and strategic vision. Administrations that recognize the importance of investing in security, education, and regulatory adaptation will be in a position to not only overcome threats but also provide a long-term competitive advantage. The time to act is now – because there is no room for hesitation in the world of cybersecurity.