As we move into 2025, cybersecurity continues to evolve in response to increasingly sophisticated threats. From businesses to universities, colleges and schools, no sector is immune. Cybercriminals are innovating as fast as—or faster than—security teams and the stakes have never been higher.
Here’s our take on what to expect in 2025 and how you can prepare.
1. AI-Powered Cyberattacks
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just transforming legitimate industries—it’s also arming cybercriminals. Expect to see AI used to create highly targeted phishing campaigns, automate attacks and even bypass traditional security systems. For businesses and universities handling sensitive financial or research data, the risks are significant.
What to do:
- Invest in AI-based cybersecurity tools that can adapt and learn in real-time.
- Invest in software that regularly trains staff and students to recognise phishing attempts.
2. The Rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
Ransomware is no longer the domain of lone hackers. Cybercriminals are selling ransomware kits to other bad actors, turning this threat into a lucrative “business” model. All sectors are particularly vulnerable, given their reliance on operational continuity.
What to do:
- Back up critical data regularly and test your recovery plan.
- Use endpoint detection tools that can identify and neutralise ransomware before it spreads.
3. Cloud Security Under Fire
As businesses and educational institutions migrate more operations to the cloud, cybercriminals are following suit. Misconfigured settings and unsecured APIs are common entry points for attackers. Universities with extensive research data stored in the cloud could face serious consequences.
What to do:
- Conduct regular audits of cloud security settings.
- Partner with cloud providers that offer robust built-in security features.
4. Hybrid and Remote Work Vulnerabilities
Hybrid and remote work environments are here to stay but they bring unique security challenges. For businesses with remote teams and schools with virtual learning programmes, unsecured home networks and devices are easy targets.
What to do:
- Implement secure remote access tools like VPNs and zero-trust network access (check out our zero-trust blog here)
- Provide cybersecurity training tailored to remote work scenarios (read our blog about this here)
5. Cybersecurity Talent Shortages
The cybersecurity skills gap continues to grow, leaving organisations understaffed and vulnerable. By 2025, the demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals is expected to outpace supply significantly. Educational institutions have an opportunity to help bridge this gap.
What to do:
- Businesses should consider outsourcing some security operations to managed service providers (like Academia).
- Colleges and universities can offer specialised cybersecurity courses and certifications to attract new talent.
- As a minimum ensure you have Cyber Essentials certification (Academia can help get you there).
6. From Cybersecurity to Cyber Resilience
The conversation is shifting from prevention to resilience. It’s no longer just about stopping attacks but also ensuring you can recover quickly with minimal impact. Schools, often working with tighter budgets, will find this shift particularly important.
What to do:
- Create and regularly update incident response plans.
- Focus on tools and strategies that minimise downtime, such as failover systems and robust backups.
Recommendations for Every Sector
Businesses:
- Perform regular Penetration tests or Maturity Assessments to review your security posture.
- Ensure compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and ensure you have Cyber Essentials as a minimum certification (see here).
- If you have a large mobile or device estate, implement cyber training for your staff and ensure you have an endpoint and identity management strategy in place.
Universities:
- Protect intellectual property with advanced encryption.
- Monitor for unusual network activity 24/7.
- Ensure you have Cyber Essentials as a minimum certification (see here)
- Train your staff and students on identifying cyber attacks and bad actor emails.
- Review your device management, control and security practice.
Colleges and Schools:
- Adopt multi-factor authentication for all staff and student accounts.
- Prioritise cybersecurity in annual budgets, even if resources are tight.
- Ensure you have Cyber Essentials as a minimum certification (see here)
- Train your staff and students on identifying cyber attacks and bad actor emails
- Review your device management, control and security practice.
Conclusion
Cyber threats are not slowing down, and 2025 is shaping up to be another challenging year but the key to staying secure lies in proactive planning and continuous adaptation.
By focusing on emerging trends and building resilience into your strategy, you can stay ahead of the curve. After all, in cybersecurity, preparation isn’t just a precaution—it’s a necessity.
Academia’s Cyber Security experts can help you keep the bad guys away from performing Penetrating tests to device management and security all the way through to ensuring you have Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus.
