Last updated at Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:50:07 GMT
It’s that time of year again — one year is ending and another is set to begin.. And what a year it’s been for the security community! The sheer scale of incidents has left SecOps teams breathless, so thinking about what could be in store next year can be overwhelming.
But there’s no need to panic; despite the disruption, the community has rallied together and risen to the challenge, demonstrating adaptability, collaboration, and resilience. And, most of all, why this industry isn’t for the faint of heart!
Over the last few years, we’ve seen significant interest in our annual Security Predictions webinar. Security teams use the session to take stock of the current year and use the predictions to get a head start on planning for the next.
This year, the webinar was shot in person from Rapid7’s office in Belfast, a city that has emerged as a modern tech innovation hub. From its origins as the shipyards that birthed the Titanic, Belfast’s history is a testament to both ambition and resilience, so it is fitting that this city served as the stage for Rapid7’s annual Security Predictions webinar.
Hosted by industry heavy hitter Brian Honan, CEO of BH Consulting, the webinar brought together Rapid7 security and policy experts Raj Samani, Chief Scientist, and Sabeen Malik, VP of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy.
Looking Back: 2024’s Predictions in Review
Before diving into the future, the panel revisited their predictions for 2024, which focused on three core areas:
1. Increasing risks and regulations will intensify pressure on businesses to navigate evolving demands across a complex global landscape.
Sabeen Malik highlighted that the forecasted rise in cyber regulations materialized, with frameworks like NIS2 and the SEC’s cybersecurity mandates intensifying global compliance demands.
2. Expect a surge in the growth of real-time information sharing within global public-private cyber partnerships.
While strides were made, Raj Samani noted that much of the shared data lacks actionable context, calling for enriched, actionable intelligence that organizations can immediately act upon.
3. The continued use of zero-day vulnerabilities exploited by ransomware groups will compel SOCs to focus on exposure management and validation strategies.
As predicted, ransomware groups continued to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, a trend exacerbated by their increasing sophistication and access to novel attack vectors.
“2024 was pretty much on the button,” said Brian Honan. “The predictions were accurate, but the challenges they highlighted are far from over.”
2025 could be Iceberg Alley/Visibility as a Life Preserver
Prediction 1: Greater visibility will act as a life preserver for security teams treading water across an increasingly complex attack surface.
Visibility isn’t just a cybersecurity buzzword—it’s the foundation of effective defense. Raj Samani summarized this challenge succinctly: “You can’t protect what you don’t know about.”
In today’s environment, where assets span on-premise systems, cloud services, and third-party integrations, organizations often need help to map their full attack surface. Raj explained how conflicting data from multiple tools complicates this task: “Your endpoint provider says one thing, your VPN provider says another — how do you normalize this information?”
After further discussion, the panellists provided a short, medium and long-term action plan to help defenders strengthen their visibility.
Prediction 2: To thrive in a world where regulatory change is an ongoing concern, SecOps should prepare for both the predictable and the unpredictable.
In cybersecurity, the only constant is change. The panel emphasized the need for agile Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to respond effectively to both expected and unexpected threats.
“This is about moving beyond checkbox exercises,” said Sabeen. “SOC teams must adopt continuous processes and infrastructure to manage a rapidly changing landscape.” She pointed to regulatory frameworks like DORA and NIS2, which mandate real-time monitoring and frequent vulnerability assessments, as drivers of this shift.
The panelists also provided an action plan that prioritizes incident response, real-time threat detection, and continuous vulnerability management to meet evolving compliance and security needs.
Prediction 3: Cybercriminals will increasingly exploit zero-day vulnerabilities, expanding potential entry points and bypassing traditional security measures to deliver more ransomware attacks.
Ransomware remains a dominant threat, evolving as attackers adopt zero-day vulnerabilities to bypass traditional defenses. Raj explained how this shift is lowering the technical barriers for cybercriminals: “Access to zero-days allows even unsophisticated actors to execute devastating attacks.”
The professionalization of ransomware groups further exacerbates the threat. As Sabeen noted, “This is no longer a scattered effort. It’s a highly organized, professional ecosystem, and it’s growing at an unsustainable rate.”
The team outlined an action plan to combat ransomware, including the critical action step of engaging organizational leadership to prioritize cybersecurity investments and ensure board-level awareness of the risks.
“Use this as an opportunity to have meaningful discussions with your board,” Raj advised. “Ransomware is a top concern, and preparation is key.”
Final Thoughts: Staying Resilient in Choppy Waters
While the challenges of 2025 may seem daunting, the panel concluded on a hopeful note. Raj highlighted Rapid7’s commitment to empowering the industry through open-source tools and resources like AttackerKB, Metasploit, and Velociraptor.
“Don’t be overwhelmed,” Raj said. “We’re all in this together, and Rapid7 is here to help with actionable insights and tools that protect what matters most.”
As Brian wrapped up, he reflected on Belfast’s legacy and the lessons it offers. “The Titanic reminds us of both the heights of ambition and the importance of preparation. In cybersecurity, as in life, visibility, adaptability, and resilience are the keys to navigating choppy waters.”
To get a full understanding of what 2025 could bring, watch the Top Cybersecurity Predictions webinar on-demand.
