2025 Predictions from Sophos Experts

Ransomware

1. Ransomware Attacks Will Continue—especially Against the Healthcare and Education Sectors

A. Educational and healthcare institutions frequently operate on limited cybersecurity budgets and with legacy systems in place. Both sectors also handle significant amounts of sensitive personal data. Add to the fact that, in the case of healthcare, ransomware attacks disrupt essential, life-saving operations, and you have a perfect storm of pressure that helps attackers secure quick ransom payments. That means these sectors will continue to be two of the biggest targets of ransomware attacks. (Chester Wisniewski, director, global field CTO)

AI

1. The honeymoon ends and reality Sets in as AI becomes a target for vulnerabilities, malware and attacks

A. Every new internet technology has a honeymoon period that ultimately ends when reality sets in. That time is coming for the latest LLMs as vulnerabilities and malware emerge. Microsoft has been issuing patches for ...