WHY CYBERSECURITY NEEDS TO BE YOUR FOCUS FOR 2025

As we enter 2025, cybersecurity has never been more critical. With the rapid evolution of technology, the proliferation of data, and the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, organisations across industries face unprecedented challenges. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue but a business imperative. This pack highlights key trends, statistics, and incidents emphasising why cybersecurity is vital for businesses and how market analysis, competitor intelligence and talent are essential to mitigating these risks.

The Cybersecurity Boom

Global Cybersecurity spending predictions

15%

Increase in 2025

Three key areas have driven this spending

The Cost of Cybercrime

Learning from High-Profile Cybersecurity Incidents

AAT&T Data Breach (January 2023)

• Hackers accessed sensitive customer data, including Social Security numbers and passcodes, through a third-party cloud vendor.
• The breach affected millions of customers, with stolen data appearing on the dark web.
• AT&T settled with the FCC for $13 million, underscoring the importance of third-party risk management.

CDK Global Ransomware Attack (June 2024)

• A ransomware attack disrupted operations at 15,000 car dealerships, costing over $1 billion in damages.
• The incident highlights the importance of robust ransomware defences and contingency planning.

Arup deepfake scam  (February 2024)

• Deepfake technology was used to impersonate a CFO and several staff on a video call
• An employee was under the impression that they were attending a video call with their work colleagues where they were persuaded to make 15 confidential bank transfers to five bank accounts.
• The scam was unveiled when the employee followed up with the groups headquarter, the scam cost Arup £20 million

1.  Invest in Security AI and Automation - These technologies can significantly reduce the cost and impact of breaches.

2.  Rigorous Security Software Testing and Monitoring

3.  Develop Comprehensive Incident Response Plans – This will help in minimising disruption and financial losses.

4.  Prioritise Third-Party Risk Management - Many breaches originate from vulnerabilities in third-party vendors.

5.  Adopt a Zero-Trust Security Model - This approach assumes that threats exist both inside and outside the network, requiring strict access controls.

6. Invest in Competitor Intelligence and Talent Research to enhance your cybersecurity capabilities

The Role of Competitor Intelligence & Talent Research in mitigating the cost of cyber attacks

To stay ahead of cyber threats, organisations must leverage competitive intelligence and talent research. These strategies enable businesses to:

• Attract Top Talent - Skilled cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Investing in talent acquisition and retention is critical to building a strong defence.
• Enhance Decision Making: market and competitor insights empower organisations to allocate resources effectively and prioritise cybersecurity initiatives while benchmarking their current activities against best practices. Understand what your competitors are doing to have robust cybersecurity processes and who are leading the way with their efforts.
• Identify Emerging Threats - By monitoring industry trends and threat actors, organisations can proactively address vulnerabilities.

CISO Pipeline and insight Report

• Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Intelligence

  Conducted in-depth competitor intelligence across 19 global organisations, assessing the evolution and maturity of their cybersecurity and data privacy functions.

• Talent Pipelining that helped develop a cybersecurity consulting practice

  Supported the growth of an organisation’s cybersecurity consulting practice arm by mapping and pipeline senior leadership and building the team. We also provided detailed insights into the team structures and leadership strategies of ten leading cybersecurity organisations.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses must adapt and invest in robust security measures to protect their assets, reputation, and customers. By focusing on cybersecurity, organisations can safeguard their future and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.