The future of cybersecurity is notoriously difficult to predict, as it’s one of the most rapidly evolving and valuable areas of technology. It requires a constant collaboration between humans and AI, which brings both advantages and challenges. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the tools designed to combat them must keep up – or risk falling behind.
The future of Cybersecurity – AI’s role and key compliance strategies for 2025
Cybersecurity tools over the years
Early 2000s: Antivirus Software and Firewalls
In the early 2000s, basic antivirus software and firewalls were the primary lines of defence for most organisations. Tools like Sophos (founded in the UK) and Norton helped businesses and individuals detect and remove malware, while hardware and software firewalls kept networks safe from external threats.
2010s: Endpoint Security and Encryption
As the internet became central to business operations, endpoint security became critical. Devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets were now accessing corporate networks remotely, creating new vulnerabilities. Encryption also gained importance as businesses needed to protect sensitive data in an increasingly mobile world.
Late 2010s to Early 2020s: AI, Threat Intelligence, and Cloud Security
With the rise of AI and machine learning, the late 2010s saw the introduction of more advanced cybersecurity solutions that could learn and adapt to new threats. The increasing adoption of cloud computing also created a demand for robust cloud security tools.
2020s and Beyond: Zero Trust and AI-Augmented Security
As cyber threats became more sophisticated, the concept of Zero Trust gained momentum. Organisations moved towards multi-factor authentication (MFA), continuous monitoring, and zero-trust architecture to better secure their networks. AI tools have become more refined, allowing businesses to automate threat detection and response.
Negatives of AI within Cybersecurity
Hackers: As with all technology, AI can be weaponised. Just as cybersecurity benefits from AI, so do hackers. Cybercriminals already use AI to develop more complex malware, launch automated cyberattacks and evade traditional defence techniques.
False Positives: AI systems are not infallible, false positives can overwhelm security teams, and placing too much trust in AI without human intervention can lead to vulnerabilities being overlooked.
Data Privacy Concerns: Ai-driven cybersecurity solutions often require lots of data to learn, improve and implement. This opens up concerns about how that data is stored, processed and protected.
Positives of AI within Cybersecurity
24/7 monitoring: AI never sleeps. It continuously monitors systems for anomalies and potential breaches, providing real-time alerts that humans might miss during manual reviews. Threats can be monitored and highlighted 24/7 7 days a week.
Faster than humans: Ai can identify patterns in attacks much faster than traditional methods, enabling rapid responses to zero-day threats and reducing the time between detection and mitigation.
Machine learning: AI systems evolve by learning from previous attacks, meaning they get better over time at identifying what is considered a potential threat before they become harmful to your business.
Preventative Measures You Need to Be Making at the End of 2024
Organisations need to prioritise their cybersecurity strategies before the end of 2024 to stay ahead of emerging threats. The adoption of artificial intelligence will significantly impact businesses that fail to adapt. We suggest implementing these three proactive safety measures before year-end. By taking these essential steps now, organisations can enhance their security posture and better equip themselves for the challenges of the coming year.
Stay informed on new and updated regulations: Keep up with changing regulations that could impact your cyber security practices. We’ve included some of the most important regulations at the end of this blog.
Identify your vulnerabilities: Conduct a cybersecurity review to pinpoint your weak areas and prepare for necessary improvements. Ignoring these vulnerabilities can expose you to cyberattacks that are both challenging and expensive to resolve.
Training courses: Ensure all employees are educated on how to mitigate threats, such as avoiding links from unauthorised contacts and refraining from sharing personal or confidential information.
What to Prepare for in 2025
Your organisation must take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. We often hear the saying, “Don’t fix it if it’s not broken,” but this mindset can lead to severe consequences. If a cybersecurity breach occurs and your systems aren’t adequately prepared to handle it, recovery becomes significantly more challenging. In fact, the global average cost of a data breach in 2024 has reached USD 4.88 million (or £3.7 million)—a 10% increase from last year and the highest total recorded. It’s crucial to invest in cybersecurity measures before an incident strikes, as the costs can be crippling.
Our suggested steps to prepare you in 2025 are as follows:
- Use zero trust security – A model that requires multiple layers of verification for access to sensitive data. This includes identity checks, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and strict access controls.
- Use AI – AI can help identify threats, analyse data, and respond to attacks. Use a certified partner who can protect your business from threats.
- Protect your cloud systems – As more people work remotely, cloud security is more important than ever.
- Comply with data privacy laws – Data privacy laws are changing, and businesses must protect their customers’ and employees’ information while staying compliant with the law.
- Improve cyber hygiene – Human error is a major cybersecurity vulnerability, so companies should focus on employee training and awareness programs. This includes routine updates to cybersecurity policies, better password management, and simulated phishing tests.
- Protect your social media accounts – Social media users should regularly review and update their account security settings. This includes auditing their login credentials, privacy settings, and connected applications.
- Learn about cybercrime trends – Learn how to gather intelligence to combat cyber threats, and how to detect and respond to sophisticated attacks.
- Conduct a free Microsoft Cyber Security assessment, funded by us and Microsoft.
You must prepare for more sophisticated, AI-driven cyberattacks. Invest in technologies that can counteract machine-learning-based threats.
Legal changes
Governments and industries are expected to implement stricter regulations regarding the use of AI in cybersecurity, particularly concerning data protection and privacy, as seen with frameworks like NIS2 and GDPR. The most effective security strategies will combine human intelligence with AI-driven insights, creating a balanced approach to defence.
UK laws and regulations will evolve to ensure that businesses and organisations enhance their cybersecurity posture and IT infrastructure to safeguard data security and privacy. Businesses need to comply with the latest cybersecurity laws and regulations in the UK.
Below is a list of key cybersecurity laws and regulations that play a vital role in maintaining the security and resilience of the UK’s digital and critical infrastructure:
- UK-GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
- NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive)
- EU Cybersecurity Act
- EU Cyber Resilience Act
- DPA (Data Protection Act 2018)
- DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act)
- PCER (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations)
- UK Operational Resilience Framework
- Computer Misuse Act 1990
- EU Artificial Intelligence Act
- Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021
Additionally, global cybersecurity regulations and frameworks such as PCI-DSS, NIST, SOX, and HIPAA are also followed by many UK businesses and organisations, though compliance with these is not mandated by UK law.
At String, we understand the complexities of cybersecurity and are committed to helping your organisation stay compliant and secure. To further support you, we invite you to our exclusive compliance event with Microsoft on 28th November in Manchester. This event will provide valuable insights into the latest regulations and effective strategies for strengthening your cybersecurity posture. Alternatively, If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to get in touch sooner—we’re here to help you navigate cybersecurity with confidence!