Here are four key thrusts behind this recurrent and urgent prediction for the near and consequent future

As 2025 approaches, organizations will need to prioritize data security in the cloud amid the rapid rise of AI adoption.

To guide their security planning, knowing some forecasts based on key 2024 cyber trends can be a useful resource.

Here are some cyber trend predictions from Tenable.

  • Heightened scrutiny for responsible AI security management

    In 2025 and beyond, widespread adoption of AI into infrastructure and products will lead to data being distributed across a more complex landscape of locations, accounts, and applications, creating new security and infrastructure challenges. In response, CISOs will need to prioritize the development of AI-specific policies and security measures tailored to these evolving needs. Expect heightened scrutiny over vendor practices, with a focus on responsible and secure AI usage that aligns with organizational security standards.

  • Concomitant abuse of AI by cybercriminals

    As data volumes grow and become more distributed across multi-cloud environments, the risk of data breaches will rise significantly. With AI tools relying on vast amounts of customer data, cybercriminals will have more opportunities to target these systems, making data exfiltration and unauthorized access easier. Organizations will face an escalating risk as attackers exploit these expanding data environments to achieve malicious goals.

  • AI-powered attacks will outpace traditional security measures

    Despite the best efforts of Big Tech firms to implement robust security protocols, cybercriminals now have powerful tools at their disposal, including AI-driven virtual assistants that can streamline and amplify their attacks. As data volumes continue to surge and become more accessible, the appeal and ease of targeting sensitive information will grow. This convergence of advanced attack tools and abundant data will make it increasingly difficult for organizations to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

  • Data is business fuel, but secure AI adoption is critical

    The above predictions should not deter organizations from embracing AI. Instead, the warnings underscore the importance of developing robust strategies for secure and responsible AI adoption. Organizations must focus on integrating AI into their systems securely rather than view it as a risky proposition.

According to the firm’s VP of Product Management and Cloud Security Research, Liat Hayun, organizations need to understand that data is the fuel driving their business, but “as AI adoption skyrockets and data storage demands grow, safeguarding distributed data has never been more critical. As we head into 2025, business leaders and security teams must strike a careful balance between innovation and security, ensuring that AI initiatives do not inadvertently open new doors for cyberattackers.”