Ransomware is expected to be the biggest cybersecurity threat of 2025 and artificial intelligence (AI) is set to make it even more dangerous.
According to Ivanti’s 2025 State of Cybersecurity Report, 38% of security professionals predict that AI will escalate ransomware attacks, making them more sophisticated, adaptive, and difficult to defend against.
Despite the growing threat, only 29% of cybersecurity professionals feel fully prepared to handle ransomware attacks. Many organisations struggle with outdated security frameworks, slow response times, and technical debt that leaves systems vulnerable.
Ivanti’s research reveals that 83% of companies have a documented risk framework, but more than half fail to follow it effectively, putting their cybersecurity at risk.
Legacy technology is another factor putting companies in danger. One in three security professionals cite technical debt as a critical concern, with 43% admitting that outdated systems expose them to security breaches. At the same time, data silos continue to slow down response times, with 62% of experts saying siloed operations weaken their organisation’s security posture.
One of the most effective solutions, exposure management, remains widely overlooked. Despite 49% of security professionals recognising its importance, only 22% of companies plan to increase investments in exposure management in 2025. Without a proactive security strategy, businesses could become targets as ransomware threats become more AI-driven and unpredictable.
“Business leaders now need to consider the impact that cyber risk has on broader business risk. Exposure management is a tool to help organisations evaluate vulnerabilities and risks across a range of objectives – including business goals – to deliberately balance security and operations,” said Daniel Spicer, Chief Security Officer at Ivanti.