Wrapping Up 2024: What It Means for Cyber Security in 2025

The stats? Let’s just say they paint a grim picture. Microsoft flagged a jaw-dropping 591% surge in password attacks per second, skyrocketing from 579 to 4,000. Cyber crime’s price tag is expected to balloon to a mind-bending $10.5 trillion by 2025. And the root causes? The usual suspects: skills shortages, human error, and an overwhelming 80+ security tools per organisation struggling to play nicely together.

Oh, and the average cost of a data breach? A record-breaking $4.88 million this year. If that doesn’t make you double-check your company’s incident response plan, what will?

So, what’s really happening, and what should businesses brace for in 2025? Let’s break it down.

The Bleak State of Cyber Security

• Ransomware’s relentless march continues. It’s everywhere, growing more costly and frequent.
• Phishing remains king as the go-to method for breaking into systems.
• Email still rules as the #1 way to deliver malware.
• Meanwhile, human error is the culprit in 88% of breaches—yes, people are still clicking on sketchy links.

Yikes. If there’s one takeaway, it’s that there’s no room for complacency in cyber security.

Getting Ahead: Your 2025 Game Plan

Ready to take charge? Here’s what your business needs to focus on:

1. Step Up Authentication
   If you’re still relying on basic multi-factor authentication (MFA), you’re behind. Threat actors are already finding ways to bypass it. The future is conditional access policies and layered defences—think of it as upgrading from a padlock to a fortress.
   
2. Invest in Mature Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
   Skimping on EDR? That’s like leaving your front door wide open and hoping no one walks in. EDR is your line of defence to detect and squash breaches before they spiral. Without it, you’re playing a very risky game.
   
3. Don’t Just Install—Monitor
   Unmonitored protection systems are practically useless. Imagine having a fire extinguisher no one knows how to operate—great in theory, but a disaster when you actually need it.
   
4. Practice Good Data Hygiene
   GDPR and DPA rules aren’t new, yet companies are still fumbling data protection basics. The result? Hefty fines and an open invitation for bad actors. Keep your data clean, secure, and compliant.
   
5. Test Your Incident Response Plan
   Having an incident response plan is great—testing it is crucial. The worst time to discover your plan has gaps is during a real crisis. Can’t afford a dedicated team? No problem. Plenty of third-party options exist to help you prepare.

The Bottom Line

2024 was a wake-up call. Cyber threats and the necessary security measures are evolving fast, and while AI is pushing boundaries, old threats like phishing and ransomware aren’t going anywhere. Staying ahead requires a proactive, multi-layered approach.

As we roll into 2025, businesses must prioritise cyber security like never before. The key? Embrace innovation, foster collaboration, and stay vigilant. With the right strategies in place, you can protect your assets and reputation from whatever comes next.

Cyber security isn’t just a necessity; it’s your competitive edge in a digital-first world. Here’s to staying one step ahead in 2025!

Written By: Chris Taylor, Principal Incident Response (IR) Analyst at NormCyber

Chris is the Principal Incident Response (IR) Analyst at NormCyber. His team have worked with businesses across a diverse array of verticals to efficiently remediate cyber security incidents. They are dedicated to identifying and eradicating threats within compromised digital ecosystems and have a wide variety of skills and capabilities to provide the best possible IR function for our clients.  

_{Sources:
Future of security with AI: Microsoft Ignite | Microsoft Security Blog
157 Cybersecurity Statistics and Trends [updated 2024] | varonis.com}