Chuck Brooks, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University speaks about the innovations and technologies impacting security the most.

The human factor

Supply chain cyber-attacks will continue to be a challenge in 2025.

Attackers will always look for the weakest point of entry and third-party risk in the supply chain is often the means they use to exploit it.

Supply chain cyber-attacks can be perpetrated by nation-state adversaries, espionage operators, criminals or hacktivists.

Their goals are to breach contractors, systems, companies and suppliers via the weakest links in the chain.

Tactically, the human factor has been the easiest point of exploitation, mostly with socially engineered phishing attacks.

Convergence

IT, operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) are converging, increasing attack surfaces and exposing vulnerabilities.

They are top targets for hackers, who often seek out unsecured ports and systems on industrial systems connected to the internet.

IT/OT/ICS supply chains in continuous integration (CI) are particularly vulnerable as they offer attackers many points of entry and legacy OT systems were not designed to protect against cyber-attacks.

The 2025 cyber-threat landscape will include AI and quantum computing.

AI is going to be a significant catalyst for cybersecurity.

This was the 2024 cybersecurity theme and it will continue into 2025.

When it comes to adjusting to complex digital environments, AI and machine learning (ML) will become increasingly crucial instruments or creative chess pieces in a strategic cybersecurity game.

AI and machine learning will enable real-time threat detection and analysis.

Companies will need to be able to monitor what is in their system and identify any anomalies.

They can use AI and machine learning to automate tasks like setting up security policies, monitoring compliance and responding to threats and vulnerabilities.

Because the attack surface is growing and there is a severe shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, this is extremely important.

It is also envisioned that quantum computing will accelerate the innovation landscape of AI and data analytics.

Quantum computing power and speed will help us solve some of the biggest and most complex challenges we face as humans.

From a cybersecurity perspective, it will also allow for the encryption and decryption of data almost instantaneously.

In 2025, quantum discoveries will continue to be made. It is undeniable, though, that a new quantum era is approaching.

Despite being in its early stages, quantum computing might happen sooner rather than later.

We are in the Fourth Industrial Era, a disruptive period of rapid technological advancement.

It entails the blending of the digital and physical realms and is distinguished by the rapid advancement of technical and human connectivity.

Operating changes are being brought about by new cybersecurity requirements that are influenced by evolving technologies.

The integration of AI with quantum computing will revolutionize current computer paradigms, making for an exciting future.

Chuck Brooks

Chuck currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University in the Cyber Risk Management Program, where he teaches graduate courses on risk management, homeland security and cybersecurity.

He also has his own consulting firm, Brooks Consulting International.

Chuck is also a contributor to Forbes, The Washington Post, Dark Reading, Homeland Security Today, Skytop Media, GovCon, Barrons, Reader’s Digest and The Hill, on cybersecurity and emerging technology topics.

He has authored a book “Inside Cyber” that is now available on Amazon.

In his career, Chuck has received presidential appointments for executive service by two US Presidents and served as the first Director of Legislative Affairs at the DHS Science & Technology Directorate.

This article was originally published in the special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.