The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, including cybersecurity, where it offers both unprecedented opportunities and alarming challenges. As we head into 2025, experts weigh in on how AI will impact the sector—from enabling sophisticated cyberattacks to enhancing defenses.

The Dual Edge of AI: Risks and Opportunities

AI has had a transformative year, driving breakthroughs from protein-folding models in medicine to autonomous vehicles operating in major cities. However, this progress has also introduced significant risks. “AI-enhanced threats will take many forms, from phishing emails with flawless grammar and personal details to adaptive malware capable of evading detection systems,” warns Merium Khalid, director of SOC Offensive Security at Barracuda.

Pedram Amini, chief scientist at OPSWAT, predicts a surge in “ML-assisted scams”—frauds powered by machine learning that are increasingly convincing and difficult to detect. These risks emphasize the need for vigilance as AI tools grow more accessible to bad actors.

A New Wave of AI-Driven Threats

Khalid foresees an increase in AI-driven attacks that bypass traditional defenses, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. “Attackers may use legitimate applications like PowerShell to deploy ransomware, making detection harder,” she says.

Social engineering, bolstered by AI, poses another major threat. Michael Adjei, director of systems engineering at Illumio, highlights how attackers could exploit everyday applications and AI tools to manipulate users into inadvertently enabling exploits. “Ordinary users will become unwitting participants in mass attacks, with legitimate tools harboring malicious intent in the background,” Adjei explains.

AI in Education: Enhancing Learning, Escalating Risks

AI’s potential to transform education is immense. Suraj Mohandas, VP of strategy at Jamf, notes how technology has shifted from teaching basic skills to enhancing learning across subjects. Yet, he cautions that AI also introduces new vulnerabilities. “Attackers are leveraging AI to increase the speed and specificity of their attacks, often targeting student-specific data,” Mohandas says.

To counter these threats, educational institutions must adopt robust safety mechanisms, including AI-powered threat detection, improved encryption protocols, and enhanced data privacy controls. Balancing AI’s educational benefits with its risks will be crucial for safeguarding students.

Preparing Organizations for AI-Driven Threats

Max Vetter, VP of cyber at Immersive Labs, stresses that organizations must be proactive. “With greater adoption of AI comes increased cyberthreats. Security teams need to remain agile, confident, and well-informed,” he advises.

Mike Britton, CIO of Abnormal Security, highlights the need for businesses to identify manual workflows where AI can enhance efficiency. “Key to this will be defining what success looks like—whether it’s better efficiency or reduced cost,” he says.

Ori Bendet, VP of product management at Checkmarx, underscores the importance of prioritization. “Too much noise drowns out real threats. Organizations need to focus on fixing what matters most to their business,” he states.

Balancing Compliance and Strategic Cybersecurity

Pierre Samson, co-founder and CRO of Hackuity, warns that balancing compliance and strategic cybersecurity will be a key challenge in 2025. “While meeting regulatory requirements like NIS2 and DORA is critical, it shouldn’t distract security leaders from addressing security gaps that matter most to their organization,” Samson explains.

The Road Ahead: Resilience in the Face of AI’s Duality

AI’s rapid advancements bring golden opportunities to revolutionize industries and enhance efficiency. Yet, these same advancements expose new vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit. As we approach 2025, organizations must brace for increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threats by adopting proactive cybersecurity measures, prioritizing critical vulnerabilities, and leveraging AI as a defensive tool.

The future of AI is undeniably exciting, but vigilance and adaptability will be key to ensuring it remains a force for good in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

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