AI, Burnout, And The CISO Carousel: Experts Address Key Cybersecurity Themes for 2025
85% of our cybersecurity experts still believe AI is a ‘net positive’ for the industry, despite many also citing AI-related risks as their top threat predictions for the year ahead.
74% of our cybersecurity experts say security organizations don’t have the right team to protect against evolving threats. ‘Lack of specialized skills’ and ‘Insufficient hands-on experience with advanced security tools’ were both tied as the most popular factors in their vote.
The cybersecurity industry is on the verge of a transformation—but perhaps not the one everyone expected. AI is reshaping cybersecurity, but as our expert respondents tell us, it’s not a magic solution. The real value comes when AI is paired with human expertise—this is the only way we can keep pace with the increasingly sophisticated threats we face.
The pace of change within the industry is proving too much for many cybersecurity teams to handle. As a result, many professionals are choosing to strike out on their own. So with positions hard to fill, and budgets bracing for uncertainty, where should you focus your attention for 2025? We asked a suite of trusted experts, from Global CISOs to VPs of Engineering, to weigh in.
Exploring Five Key Themes for 2025, and Beyond
AI won’t secure your business—but the right experts using AI will
AI can speed up threat detection and automate responses, but it’s not a standalone solution. Human expertise remains critical to managing its risks and unlocking AI's full potential.
Cybersecurity complexity requires teams of specialists
The growing complexity of IoT, hybrid cloud, and AI demands specialized teams, not generalists. Companies must access specialists who can address specific challenges.
Affordability of full-time specialists: a source of stress and burnout
Budget constraints mean most organizations can’t afford full-time specialists. This often leads to stress and burnout as teams stretch too thin. Our experts advocate for fractional expertise as a cost-effective solution.
The hybrid solution: combining AI and human expertise
AI will enhance cybersecurity capabilities, but human oversight is essential. Organizations need skilled professionals to guide AI-driven systems and ensure their effectiveness.
Future predictions: what will become obsolete, and what should never change
As we look to the next year and beyond, our experts share which practices they believe will soon be obsolete, and highlight the basic fundamentals that we should always come back to.
