What Cybersecurity Means in 2025: A Complete Overview of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the main defense to protect computer and network systems against intrusion and theft.

Most organizations rely on different security frameworks to help defend their networks, systems, data, and information. These frameworks define best practices, including specific security subdomains and practices, security auditing, security policy development, important tools, and methods for monitoring security conditions over time.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything that you must know to improve your cybersecurity posture.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity combines three key things — people, processes, and technology — to protect systems and data from being stolen or misused. People set the processes to make sure systems run smoothly, and technology is the tools we use to defend against threats.

It all started in 1970 when Bob Thomas created Creeper, the first computer virus, which moved between computers, leaving a message:

I'M THE CREEPER : CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

To remove the virus, Ray Tomlinson wrote the first antivirus program and named it Reaper.

Since then, security challenges have only gotten bigger. The cybersecurity field has formalized to stand up to these challenges. In 2024, 67% of healthcare organizations faced ransomware attacks — the highest rate we've seen since 2021. 

Today, of course, technology is everywhere. From our phones and laptops to the systems that run hospitals and critical infrastructure like power grids and water supplies. While this makes life easier, it also creates more entry points for cyberattacks. 

How cyber threats are evolving

Attackers now use AI and deepfake technology to trick people. In 2019, a scammer used a voice deepfake to trap a UK energy firm’s CEO into transferring €220,000, thinking he was following orders from his German boss. This shows how hackers are using emerging technologies to bypass security measures.

On top of that, the shift to remote work during the global COVID-19 pandemic created new risks. Employees started using personal messaging apps, which are not 100% secure. By 2022, companies that failed to keep proper records of these conversations ended up paying over $1 billion in fines.

Current and expected spending in the sector 

Organizations are spending more on cybersecurity due to growing cyber threats. Let’s look at recent data: 

• By 2025, Gartner estimates global end-user spending on information security will rise to $212 billion, a 15.1% increase from 2024.  
• More companies are training employees to stay safe online. That’s why the security awareness training market is expected to grow to over $10 billion by 2027.

But is it all enough? Businesses spent $213 billion on cybersecurity in 2024 — nowhere near enough to deal with the $10 trillion in damages that cybercrime is expected to cause in 2025. Instead, McKinsey recommends that companies should actually be spending $2 trillion a year on cybersecurity. 

Role of threat actors

Threat actors are the people or groups who carry out cyberattacks. They look for weak points in systems to steal information and cause disruptions — often resulting in financial or reputational damage.

Not all threat actors are the same, however. We can categorize these groups differently, depending on what they want and how they work. For example:

• Cybercriminals use malware and phishing emails to trick people or lock up systems until they get paid.
• Hacktivists target organizations or governments they don’t agree with to damage their reputation or make a larger statement.
• Nation-state actors are highly skilled and well-funded by their government. They target other countries to gather intelligence or interfere with operations for political reasons. In 2024, 24% of their attacks targeted the IT sector. 
• Insiders are within an organization, like employees or contractors, who misuse their access. Sometimes, an insider breach is accidental. In the worst cases, these insiders are frustrated or have personal grudges and choose to take it out on their company.

Is our data safe?  

Think about how much data we share and store online — bank details, passwords, business files, medical records, contracts. And we also store the names, personal data, and contact details for many other people.

Without proper protection, all this data is at high risk for exploitation from cybercriminals.

The consequences of a cyberattack can be severe. Companies lose money and take a hit to their reputation. In February 2024, more than half of businesses worldwide disclosed that cyberattacks caused them to lose at least $300,000 each. 

As technology progresses, so do the tricks of hackers. They constantly find ways to exploit weaknesses in software, networks, or even human behavior.

One key example is phishing scams — and it’s important to know that not all phishing scams take place solely via email. In 2022, some cybercriminals used Google Docs to deceive victims. They embedded harmful links in document comments and tagged users with an "@" mention. This made it look legitimate to convince the victim to click the link.

This shows how even minor oversights can pull us into hackers’ traps. 

Top cyber threats today

We've seen a surge in cybersecurity threats that exploit both human behavior and technological vulnerabilities. So, let’s look at some modern threats that are evolving currently: 

Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is when attackers hijack your system to mine cryptocurrency without you knowing. Because cryptocurrency is valuable, they can make a lot of money using other people’s systems.

Nearly 140 million cryptojacking cases were reported in 2022 alone, but again, in 2023, this increased by 43% from the previous year.

AI-based attacks

Attackers also use AI to create more advanced threats. In Indonesia, they carried out over 1,100 deepfake fraud attempts to bypass a bank's biometric security. By altering victims' IDs, they tricked the system and combined this data with fake accounts and devices to commit fraud.

Speedy innovations in AI coupled with threat actors’ ingenuity is why Gartner predicts that 17% of all cyberattacks will be AI-backed by 2027. That means almost 1 in 5 attacks will use AI in some or all of its phases.

Insider threats

Insider threats come from within an organization. This could be an employee accidentally leaking sensitive data or, worse, someone intentionally causing harm. These threats are hard to spot because they involve trusted individuals with legitimate access to systems — they are not breaking in. 

In June 2024, former Disney employee Michael Scheuer used his inside knowledge to disrupt the company's menu system. Scheuer altered allergen information and redirected QR codes to a malicious site.

Areas and types of cybersecurity

As you can see, cybersecurity is a massive, never-ending endeavor. Cybersecurity itself is broken into several areas or domains to protect against specific threats. Here’s a brief overview of common cybersecurity domains and how they work.

• Network security protects the infrastructure that connects devices and systems within an organization. You can use tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and virtual private networks (VPNs) to safeguard your networks.
• Application security prevents vulnerabilities, often right in code, that attackers could exploit by implementing encryption, authentication, and patch management.
• IoT security addresses vulnerabilities in connected devices, such as smart appliances and industrial sensors. It secures communications and protects devices using TLS/SSL.
• Endpoint security uses device management systems and threat detection tools to secure endpoints against malware and unauthorized access.
• Cloud security protects data and applications hosted in cloud environments. 

Cybersecurity frameworks can help you build repeatable practices for these areas, and security technologies like SIEM and SOAR can help with detection and prevention. Still, cybersecurity can never be fully automated.

One example is threat hunting, a growing area of cyber that harnesses a combination of manual and machine-assisted processes driven by human curiosity and pattern recognition. The ultimate goal of threat hunting is not to find more security incidents — it’s to drive continuous improvement across your entire security program

(Explore PEAK, an award-winning threat hunting framework.)

Common challenges in cybersecurity 

Cybersecurity is a necessity, but that doesn’t make it easy. Let’s look at some of the most common challenges to robust cybersecurity environments.

People make mistakes: Despite all the technology and awareness, we humans can make mistakes — more often than we realize. We can open phishing links without recognizing it is a threat. This, in return, can open the door to attacks. 

Third-party risks: Sometimes, the weakest link is the companies and other services you use and work with. A vendor or partner with poor security can create vulnerabilities in your system, even if you’re doing everything right.

Increasing sophistication of threats: Hackers are getting smarter. They now use AI to make their attacks harder to spot and stop. This means they can sneak into systems more easily, even ones we think are secure.

Lack of resources: Small and medium-sized businesses often don’t have enough money and the right experts to put strong protections in place. This makes them easy targets.

(Learn more about Splunk Enterprise Security, the market-leading SIEM that delivers comprehensive visibility, accurate detection, and operational efficiency.)

Strategies and best practices to overcome challenges

Now that you know the most common challenges, let’s talk about some simple ways to overcome them:

• Spread awareness: Train your employees to spot phishing emails and encourage them to follow basic security rules. People who know what to look for are less likely to make mistakes.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): Add a second layer of verification, like a text message code or fingerprint scan. This makes it much harder for hackers to get in, even if they know your password.
• Use endpoint protection tools: Endpoints, such as employee laptops and smartphones, are common entry points for attackers. To prevent attacks from spreading across the network, deploy endpoint protection software.
• Keep your systems updated: Outdated software is an open invitation to attackers. Make it a habit to update your systems regularly. This will close security gaps and keep your organization safe from potential threats.

Debunking cybersecurity myths

Apart from challenges and benefits, you may have heard things about cybersecurity that are not true. So, let’s see what they are and why they’re not true: 

Myth: Threat actors only go after big companies

Many small business owners believe hackers only go after big companies. It’s not true.

In reality, small businesses account for 43% of cyberattacks annually. Small businesses tend to invest in security less than larger orgs, making them more vulnerable.

Myth: Cybersecurity is the IT department’s job

Most of us think only the IT team needs to handle cybersecurity: they can install some background software, and you can continue your work without worry. That’s wrong.

In reality, most hacks happen because someone who does not understand or consider cybersecurity clicks on the wrong link or opens a bad attachment. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to do our part, like using strong passwords and being careful with emails.

Myth: Hackers don’t care about my data

It’s easy to think, “Why would anyone want my information? I don't have anything important.”

In reality, everyone’s data is valuable to hackers. They can use it for identity theft or sell it on the dark web, regardless of your profile or profession. Once your data hits the dark web, there’s no way to trace it.

Myth: A strong password is all I need

A strong password is great, but it’s not enough.

In reality, hackers can still get in using tricks like phishing emails or malware. That’s why you must add two-factor authentication (2FA) to make it harder for them to access your accounts, even when they know your password.

And let’s be clear: one strong password is never enough. Indeed, you should use a unique password for every single online account you have — and that could easily be in the hundreds! That’s why cyber experts constantly recommend password manager solutions.

Secure your future

We must protect our personal data and systems because cyberattacks are becoming more frequent. Luckily, we can reduce the risks by raising awareness and using strong security measures. But it’s a team effort — it takes people, processes, and technology. We all have to work together to stay ahead of cybercriminals and build a more resilient future.