Cybersecurity playbook: trends, threats, and strategies for 2025

Businesses, established enterprises and public sector organizations have at least one thing in common: they are all prime targets for cybercriminals. With that in mind, understanding and implementing a strong cybersecurity infrastructure is essential.

Though cybersecurity’s value is far-reaching, there is also a clear financial toll to poor cyber practices. IBM recently found that the global average cost of a data breach hit $4.4 million, with new attacks driven by AI-related security incidents.

Amid this shifting environment, boards and the organizations they lead must deepen their cybersecurity savvy, including:

• What cybersecurity is
• Why cybersecurity is important
• Types of cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity threats
• Cybersecurity regulations
• How key legislation is evolving
• Cybersecurity best practices
• Tips for small businesses
• Critical trends in cybersecurity

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity definition: Protecting systems, networks and data from digital attacks. These attacks aim to access, change or destroy sensitive information, interrupt business processes or extort money from users or organizations.

In other words, cybersecurity is like the door, motion-activated camera and alarm system to your digital house. It involves a wide range of technologies, processes and practices designed to defend against unwelcome guests, such as malware, phishing, ransomware and more.

Why is cybersecurity important?

Cybersecurity protects critical assets — proprietary data, customer information, financial records and infrastructure — from unauthorized access. A single breach can lead to economic losses, legal consequences, regulatory fines and long-term reputational damage, making the stakes high.

Organizations need to understand cybersecurity not only as an IT issue but also as a core business risk. Effective cybersecurity can maintain business continuity, detect and respond to threats in real time and build systems resilient to ever-evolving attacks.

The importance of cybersecurity is far-reaching and includes:

• Financial protection: Strong cybersecurity prevents costly data breaches, ransomware payments and operational downtime.
• Regulatory compliance: It also helps meet requirements like GDPR, HIPAA and PCI-DSS to avoid fines and penalties.
• Reputation management: Customers, investors and partners trust organizations that take safeguarding sensitive information seriously.
• Business continuity: Cybersecurity keeps systems operational in the face of attacks or disruptions.
• Data integrity and confidentiality: It also protects the accuracy and privacy of internal and customer data.
• Defense against evolving threats: Cybersecurity is the framework for the tools and processes to detect, respond to and recover from increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks

Types of cybersecurity

While cybersecurity seems straightforward, it’s a broad field of multiple domains; each domain focuses on protecting a specific part of an organization’s digital ecosystem. Understanding these types can help you build your organization's layered, resilient defense strategy.

Key types of cybersecurity include:

1. Network security: Protects internal networks from intrusions, whether malicious or accidental. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems and access controls.
2. Endpoint security: Secures end-user devices like laptops, desktops and mobile phones from threats. Endpoint protection platforms help detect and block malware and unauthorized access.
3. Application security: Focuses on keeping software and apps secure from development through deployment. This includes secure coding practices, vulnerability testing and patch management.
4. Cloud security: Protects cloud-based infrastructure, applications and data. It involves managing access, encryption and threat detection in environments like a board portal, AWS and Google Cloud.
5. Information security (InfoSec): Ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, whether it’s in storage, in transit or in use.
6. Identity and access management (IAM): Manages who has access to what within an organization. IAM tools enforce policies around user authentication and authorization.
7. Critical infrastructure security: Protects essential systems like energy grids, transportation networks, water systems and healthcare infrastructure from cyber threats.
8. AI and machine learning security: Focuses on securing AI models and the data they use, from poisoning attacks to model theft and manipulation.

Cybersecurity threats

Types of cybersecurity are only one side of the coin. The other is cyber threats: the evolving tactics bad actors use to target vulnerabilities across systems, networks and users. Organizations must stay vigilant and informed to defend against various attack types, each with its own tactics and impact.

Some of the most common and dangerous cybersecurity threats are:

• Malware: Malicious software such as viruses, worms and trojans that can damage systems, steal data or give attackers control over a device.
• Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts data and demands payment for its release, often disrupting business operations and risking permanent data loss.
• Phishing attacks: Deceptive emails or messages that trick users into revealing sensitive information, clicking malicious links or downloading malware.
• Credential theft and abuse: The unauthorized acquisition and use of usernames and passwords, often obtained through phishing, brute force or data breaches.
• Insider threats: Security risks posed by employees, contractors or trusted partners who may misuse access, either intentionally or accidentally.
• AI-powered attacks: Emerging threats that use artificial intelligence to create more convincing phishing, automate attacks or exploit machine learning systems.
• Cryptojacking: Unauthorized use of an organization’s or individual’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrency, often slowing performance and increasing operational costs.
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS): Attacks that overwhelm a network or service with traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.
• Social engineering: Manipulation tactics that exploit human behavior to access systems or data, such as impersonation or pretexting.
• Zero-trust exploitation: While Zero Trust is a security model, improper implementation or assumptions around trust can be exploited by attackers who find ways to bypass identity verification layers.

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Cybersecurity regulations

Organizations should protect their digital assets, respond to threats and take data privacy seriously to protect their own interests. However, cybersecurity regulations provide an additional legal framework to ensure they do. These laws vary by country and region, but all aim to reduce risk, promote accountability and safeguard critical information systems.

United States

• The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) encourages the voluntary sharing of cyber threat indicators between private companies and the federal government.
• The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems and is a key tool in prosecuting cybercrime.
• The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) requires financial institutions to explain their data-sharing practices to safeguard sensitive customer information.
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for protecting the privacy and security of health information.
• Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requires federal agencies to implement and maintain cybersecurity programs.

European Union

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law that outlines how organizations collect, store and process personal data across the EU.
• The NIS2 Directive strengthens cybersecurity requirements for operators of essential services and digital service providers across critical sectors.
• The ePrivacy Directive, soon to be replaced by the ePrivacy Regulation, governs privacy in electronic communications, including rules around cookies and direct marketing.

Canada

• The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) regulates how private-sector organizations collect, use and disclose personal information during commercial activities.
• The Digital Privacy Act of 2015 amended PIPEDA to include mandatory breach notification requirements.
• Several provinces, including Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, have their own data protection laws that may apply, in addition to federal law.

United Kingdom

• The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) closely mirrors the EU GDPR but is tailored to the UK’s legal context post-Brexit.
• The Data Protection Act 2018 supplements UK GDPR and includes national security and law enforcement processing provisions.
• The Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2019 impose cybersecurity and incident reporting requirements on critical infrastructure operators and digital service providers.

China

• The Cybersecurity Law (2017) requires network operators to store specific data in China and to implement security measures.
• The Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) sets comprehensive rules for processing personal data and gives individuals rights over their information.
• The Data Security Law (DSL) establishes a data classification system and imposes obligations based on data sensitivity and national security implications.

India

• The Information Technology Act (2000) and the IT Rules (2021) provide the foundational legal framework for cybersecurity and digital communication in India.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 governs the processing of personal data and introduces obligations for data fiduciaries and rights for data principals.

Australia

• The Privacy Act 1988 regulates the handling of personal information by Australian government agencies and specific private sector organizations.
• The Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 imposes risk management obligations on operators of essential services, including telecommunications, electricity and healthcare.

Sector-specific cybersecurity laws

In addition to regional considerations, specific industries face elevated cybersecurity risks due to the sensitivity of the data they manage and the potential consequences of breaches. As a result, many sectors are governed by specific cybersecurity laws and regulations tailored to their unique needs and risk profiles.

Here are key sectors and cybersecurity laws to know for each:

• Healthcare: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the flagship healthcare cybersecurity regulation in the U.S. It requires healthcare providers, insurers and their partners to protect patient health information (PHI) privacy and security. The HIPAA Security Rule mandates administrative, physical and technical safeguards for electronic PHI.
• Financial services: The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) requires financial institutions to implement security measures to protect consumers’ personal financial information and to disclose their data-sharing practices. It includes both the Safeguards Rule and the Privacy Rule.
• Global financial institutions: International banks are subject to Basel III and IV. These regulations include cyber risk as part of broader operational risk. Under these frameworks, financial institutions must assess and mitigate cyber threats to maintain stability and resilience.
• U.S. public companies: While primarily focused on financial reporting, the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act requires public companies to implement internal controls, which increasingly include cybersecurity measures to protect financial data and reporting systems from tampering or unauthorized access.
• Medical devices: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers of connected medical devices to address cybersecurity risks throughout the product lifecycle. Recent guidance emphasizes vulnerability management, software updates and coordinated disclosure of threats.

Evolving cybersecurity legislation

Cyber threats have grown in scale and complexity in recent years, pushing regulators to formulate more targeted, forward-looking legislation. These emerging rules enforce compliance and reshape how organizations design, govern and report on cybersecurity. Understanding these developments is critical for staying ahead of regulatory risk and threat actors.

• EU Cyber Resilience Act: The Cyber Resilience Act aims to establish standard cybersecurity requirements for hardware and software product manufacturers in the EU. It introduces mandatory security-by-design principles, vulnerability handling processes and post-market support obligations. Once enacted, it will be one of the most comprehensive regulations globally for digital product security, impacting everything from consumer IoT devices to enterprise software.
• SEC Cybersecurity Rules: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules in 2023 requiring publicly traded companies to disclose cybersecurity incidents within four business days and describe cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance in annual 10-K filings. These rules elevate cybersecurity to a board-level and investor-facing issue, signaling that digital risk is now core to corporate transparency and accountability.
• Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA): DORA establishes a uniform framework for managing information and communications technology (ICT) risk across the EU’s financial sector. It applies to banks, insurers, fintechs and even third-party providers like cloud services. Read more about the key criteria and requirements below.

Unpacking DORA requirements and compliance

As the EU’s landmark cybersecurity regulation, DORA marks a significant shift to proactive operational resilience. It became enforceable as of January 2025, influencing how financial institutions globally approach cybersecurity and supply chain risk. DORA applies to a wide range of financial institutions and related entities operating in the EU, including:

• Banks and credit institutions
• Insurance and reinsurance companies
• Investment firms and asset managers
• Crypto-asset service providers
• Payment institutions and e-money firms
• ICT third-party service providers, like cloud, software and data providers

Key requirements under DORA

DORA has five key requirements reshaping how financial institutions think about cybersecurity. Many have turned to IT risk management tools to keep up with the more robust criteria beyond passive compliance.

1. ICT risk management: Organizations must implement governance frameworks, conduct regular risk assessments and maintain robust controls over their digital infrastructure. Tools like Diligent IT Risk Management automate risk identification and assessment workflows, enabling organizations to catalogue assets, threats and vulnerabilities, then map those to controls — another core DORA requirement.
2. Ongoing monitoring and review: DORA requires entities to continuously monitor their ICT controls, regularly review effectiveness and ensure operational resilience through a structured process. This includes validating controls, reassessing risks and adapting to evolving threat landscapes — all needs Diligent is designed to meet. Diligent empowers frequent attestation, evidence tracking and automated reminders for control effectiveness testing, matching DORA’s emphasis on proactive and periodic assurance.
3. Incident management and mandatory reporting: Organizations must have robust ICT-related incident management processes and report major incidents to competent authorities in a timely, standardized way. Tools like Diligent facilitate the integrated workflows that this requirement depends on, including incident capture, triage and escalation. Diligent also produces audit trails and supports templates that simplify DORA compliance through a three-step incident notification format.
4. Advanced resilience testing: Critical systems must undergo advanced digital operational resilience testing, including threat-led penetration testing to validate preparedness against sophisticated attack vectors and systemic shocks. By managing test plans and issues that require remediation, Diligent helps meet DORA resilience test obligations and documents associated with board governance.
5. Third-party ICT supplier risk management: Entities must apply a risk-based approach to managing ICT third-party dependencies, including concentration risk assessments, contractual safeguards, oversight of critical providers and continuous monitoring. This includes designated frameworks for essential service providers, all of which Diligent can track.
6. Management body accountability and reporting: The management body (board/executive leadership) is responsible for DORA compliance. It must ensure transparent governance, receive regular, actionable reporting on ICT risk and resilience posture and integrate digital operational resilience into strategic decision-making. Diligent’s dashboards, automated reporting and executive-ready summaries make it easier to give the board real-time visibility into ICT risk posture, incident status and compliance.

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Build operational resilience

Discover how financial sector organizations can build a holistic approach to cybersecurity through DORA compliance.

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Cybersecurity best practices

Cybersecurity practices are relative. One organization’s “best” practices might not be best for another. Organization size, industry, size of the value chain and other factors can all impact the level of risk an organization faces and its resulting cybersecurity needs. However, the following best practices will help strengthen your cybersecurity program and keep you one step ahead of evolving threats.

1. Identify vulnerabilities

Simply knowing about threats will not protect your organization, and taking a shotgun approach to cybersecurity will not help you much, either. It is essential to identify your organization’s most valuable digital assets and determine where your current cybersecurity measures need to be improved to shield them from malicious activity.‌ 

One tool that can help with this is the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework, or NIST CSF. ‌ Developed initially to standardize infrastructure within a niche of organizations, it has expanded based on the IT community’s feedback. Today, the CSF includes guidance on self-assessment, planning guidelines and other updates in response to advancements in security threats. ‌

2. Practice cyber hygiene

All discussions of cybersecurity best practices center around helping your organization employ basic cyber hygiene. The following are among the most vital elements of this practice: ‌

• Recommendation one: Write explicit security policies — without written policies, conducting an audit or assessment is difficult and nearly impossible to implement consistent training. Having your policies written down makes your goals and procedures clear, reducing the risk that a misunderstanding of policy will put your organization at risk.
• Recommendation two: Train everyone — we’ve discussed technical aspects of cybersecurity best practices, but the reality is that much of the responsibility lies in the hands of your people. The human element represents the most significant risk to your networks and systems, so ensuring everyone knows how to do their part is crucial.
• Recommendation three: Phish everyone — remember phishing? It doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Keep your systems safe by testing everyone after they get properly trained. Yes, that includes upper management and even board members. Consider using the phishing awareness quiz as an interactive part of your training.
• ‌Recommendation four: Use multi-factor authentication — in many cases, a simple password — even one that’s hard to guess — is no longer enough. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) ensures that everyone is who they say they are when they attempt to log into a device or an application that touches your network.
• Recommendation five: No default passwords — default passwords for new user accounts are easy to guess, even for a human brain, let alone a computer capable of blitzing your system with countless strings of letters and numbers. Stay on the safe side and avoid using simple passwords, no matter how convenient they may seem.

3. Keep systems and software updated

There’s no doubt that your organization leverages several external applications to function. Sometimes the developers of those apps release updates with new features or user interface components, but more often, those regular updates contain security fixes. ‌

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and software companies update their products accordingly. You don’t want to be caught using the old version of a program with a known security vulnerability.

After all, a single vulnerability in one of your programs could be just the access point that cybercriminals need to force access into your network. ‌Your hardware also plays a role in cybersecurity. Most computers and mobile devices reach a point when they can no longer run the latest version of their respective apps and operating systems.

When this happens, it’s time to let them go. Remember that the investment in upgrading your devices is far lower than the cost of a data breach.

4. Strengthen IAM

Controlling access to systems and data is fundamental to reducing risk. Organizations should adopt the principle of least privilege, granting users only the access they need to perform their jobs. Implemented MFA across all critical systems, and privileged accounts should be subject to enhanced monitoring and regular reviews. IAM systems must also account for remote access, third-party vendors and temporary credentials.

5. Implement a common controls framework

Put simply, a common controls framework (CCF) reflects all the controls that different departments have in common. It considers overlapping industry standards and organizational needs to create a single, streamlined framework. Implementing a CCF can help you use a similar process across different instances, standardizing your cybersecurity practices.

A CCF is also an excellent foundation for improvement. Since you’ll have a central set of practices, it’s easier to analyze, assess and improve them as industry standards — and risks — evolve.

6. Deploy layered defenses with continuous monitoring

No single security control is enough. Organizations should implement a multi-layered defense strategy that includes firewalls, endpoint protection, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), data encryption, and secure backup solutions. These tools must be continuously monitored to detect anomalies and respond to threats in real time. Organizations should also implement tools like Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) to ensure secure configurations and policy enforcement when using cloud infrastructure.

7. Leverage AI to enhance threat detection and response

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the cybersecurity landscape. Tools that integrate AI in cybersecurity can rapidly analyze vast amounts of data to detect anomalies, identify zero-day threats and respond to incidents faster than human teams alone. While these technologies offer clear advantages, they must be deployed thoughtfully — with built-in guardrails, human oversight and clear policies to prevent unintended consequences, including the AI introducing cyber threats.

8. Maintain a comprehensive and tested incident response plan

Preparing for a cyber incident is just as important as trying to prevent one. Organizations need a documented incident response plan that outlines how to identify, contain, mitigate and recover from various types of attacks. This plan should be tested annually through tabletop exercises or simulated attacks to ensure every team — from IT to legal to communications — understands their role in a crisis. Lessons learned from past incidents or tests should be used to improve the plan continuously.

9. Conduct regular testing and stay current with threat intelligence

Cybersecurity is never static. Organizations must proactively seek out vulnerabilities by conducting regular penetration tests, vulnerability scans and red team exercises. At the same time, staying informed through threat intelligence feeds, industry alerts, and peer networks helps ensure that defenses evolve alongside emerging threats. Continuous improvement must be a built-in part of the security function, not a reactive afterthought.

Cybersecurity for small businesses

Small businesses often lack dedicated security teams or large IT budgets. Yet, they face serious cyber risks, from phishing emails to ransomware to supply chain attacks and insider threats. In fact, attackers often see small and midsize businesses (SMBs) as easier targets due to limited defenses.

That’s why cybersecurity must be treated as a shared responsibility across the organization. With clear roles, practical policies and the right tools, SMBs can build strong, resilient defenses even on a tight budget.

Role of the business owner/executive leadership

1. Set the tone at the top: Business leaders should make cybersecurity a visible priority by integrating it into their overall strategy, investing in secure infrastructure and ensuring time and budget are allocated for security initiatives.
2. Choose the right vendors and tools: Leaders should select trustworthy software platforms and cloud services that offer strong security features, and vet all IT vendors carefully, including managed security service providers when internal resources are limited.
3. Approve and regularly review the incident response plan: A lightweight response plan should clearly outline how to detect, contain and recover from an attack. Leadership should be familiar with this plan and ensure it’s tested and updated annually.

Operations/office manager

1. Maintain up-to-date systems and security basics: The operations lead should ensure that company devices have firewalls, antivirus software and automatic updates turned on and working correctly.
2. Manage data backups and continuity plans: Regular, encrypted backups — ideally stored off-site or in the cloud — should be part of a documented continuity strategy.
3. Document and track cybersecurity procedures: Keeping policies, vendor security contracts, onboarding/offboarding steps and access controls well-organized and accessible.

IT or external IT support provider

1. Implement MFA and strong password policies: All user accounts — especially for cloud services and admin systems — should have MFA enabled and follow strict password hygiene.
2. Limit access based on job roles: IT should apply the principle of least privilege, ensuring employees have access only to the tools and data they need to do their jobs.
3. Monitor systems and respond to alerts: Whether in-house or outsourced, IT should use tools to monitor for unusual activity and respond swiftly to any suspicious behavior or confirmed breach.
4. Apply regular updates and patches: Software and firmware must be kept current to address newly discovered vulnerabilities, which attackers frequently exploit.

All employees

1. Use secure passwords and MFA: Team members should create strong, unique passwords and use multi-factor authentication on all work accounts.
2. Complete basic cybersecurity awareness training: This training should help employees recognize phishing emails, avoid dangerous links and understand what to do if something seems off.
3. Report incidents immediately: Employees must feel empowered and know how to report suspicious emails, strange system behavior or lost devices without fear or blame.

Cybersecurity trends to watch in 2025

Cybersecurity strategies should evolve in lockstep with — or even ahead of — technological advances and cyber threats. In 2025, organizations are navigating a rapidly changing threat landscape shaped by geopolitical tensions, AI-powered attacks and tightening regulatory requirements.

Here are the key trends shaping cybersecurity in the year ahead.

1. AI-powered threats and defenses are escalating: Cybercriminals increasingly leverage generative AI to craft convincing phishing emails, deepfake scams and even automate malware development. In response, defenders deploy AI to detect anomalies, identify threats faster and streamline incident response. The result is an arms race between attacker and defender AI, making human oversight and ethical AI use more critical than ever.
2. Supply chain security is now a boardroom issue: Every third-party connection represents a potential vulnerability. High-profile breaches linked to compromised suppliers have made it clear that supply chain risk management is no longer just an IT concern. Boards and regulators are demanding transparency and tighter controls over vendor security practices.
3. Zero-trust architectures are going mainstream: The traditional “perimeter” cybersecurity model has proven inaccurate in a hybrid, cloud-based world. In 2025, more organizations are adopting zero trust architectures, where no user or device is trusted by default, even inside the network. This model requires continuous verification, granular access controls and strong identity management.
4. Data privacy and cybersecurity regulations are converging: Regulations like the EU’s DORA and the U.S. SEC cybersecurity rules reflect a growing push toward accountability, resilience and transparency. Organizations must now treat cybersecurity as a compliance issue, not just a technical one, with new expectations around incident disclosure, risk management and board oversight.
5. Cyber insurance markets are shifting: As claims increase and underwriting becomes stricter, insurers are raising premiums and requiring stronger security controls before offering coverage. Businesses are forced to demonstrate good cyber hygiene — including MFA, endpoint detection and regular testing — to secure or renew policies.
6. Employee education remains a critical defense layer: Despite technological advances, human error continues to drive the majority of breaches. In 2025, organizations are doubling down on security awareness training, phishing simulations, and building a culture of cyber responsibility across departments — from HR to finance to the C-suite.

Future-proof your cybersecurity strategy

Cyber threats evolve rapidly. Organizations today face new, AI-driven risks they couldn’t have anticipated just a few years ago. However, in cybersecurity, technology is also an opportunity. IBM found that organizations that used AI in security saved $1.9 million compared to organizations that didn’t use these solutions.

Diligent IT Risk Management, part of the Diligent One Platform, is built to simplify complex cybersecurity tasks through automation and AI:

• Automate risk identification, risk assessment and vulnerability management
• Map cyber risks to controls, conduct regular control effectiveness testing and maintain a single source of truth
• Real-time insights into cyber risks, including the status of controls, effectiveness of remediation and emerging threats
• Workflow automation for incident reporting, from capturing events to escalation, investigation and resolution

“Through Diligent, we’ve been able to identify areas of weakness where we need to shore up in risk management, and we’ve also been able to elevate information up to our boards,” said James Wade, CISO at MCS.

FAQs

How can generative AI be used in cybersecurity?

Generative AI can enhance cybersecurity by automating threat detection, generating realistic phishing simulations for employee training, and analyzing large datasets to identify attack patterns. However, attackers can also use it to craft convincing phishing emails and fake identities and automate malware development, making it a double-edged sword that requires ethical use and human oversight.

What is Big Tech’s role in cybersecurity?

Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Apple play a central role in global cybersecurity. They not only provide cloud infrastructure and security tools to organizations but also invest in threat intelligence, incident response and AI-driven defense mechanisms. Their policies, practices and vulnerabilities can influence the security of billions of users worldwide.

How do macros pose a cybersecurity risk?

Macros — scripts embedded in documents like Word or Excel files — can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious code when the document is opened. These attacks often bypass traditional security filters and rely on users enabling macros without realizing the danger, making them a common method for delivering ransomware or spyware.

Is cybersecurity oversaturated?

While the field has grown rapidly, cybersecurity is not oversaturated. In fact, there is a well-documented shortage of qualified professionals. What can feel like saturation is the increasing number of entry-level applicants without hands-on experience. Specialized skills, certifications and real-world problem-solving are still in high demand across industries.

What is the difference between active and passive reconnaissance in cybersecurity?

Active reconnaissance involves directly engaging with a system—such as pinging a server or scanning ports—to gather information, often triggering alerts. On the other hand, passive reconnaissance collects data without directly interacting with the target, using public sources like WHOIS, social media, or leaked credentials to avoid detection.

How does Big Tech handle cybersecurity threats?

Big Tech companies have dedicated security teams, 24/7 monitoring, and layered defense strategies to address cybersecurity threats. They regularly conduct penetration testing, invest in zero-trust architectures, and collaborate with government agencies and global partners to respond to and mitigate large-scale cyber incidents.

What is cybersecurity risk?

Cybersecurity risk is the potential for loss, damage, or disruption resulting from a cyberattack or system failure. It includes threats to data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and is influenced by both the likelihood of an attack and the impact it would have on business operations, customers, or regulatory compliance.

What are the key differences between a risk assessment and a vulnerability assessment?

A risk assessment identifies and evaluates potential threats to an organization’s assets, focusing on the likelihood and impact of those risks. A vulnerability assessment, in contrast, scans explicitly for known weaknesses in systems, applications or networks. Risk assessments are broader and strategic, while vulnerability assessments are more technical and focused.