Cybersecurity predictions for Asia Pacific in 2025

Palo Alto Networks has announced its key cybersecurity predictions for the Asia Pacific region in 2025, highlighting anticipated trends and challenges.

The outlook suggests that cyber infrastructure in 2025 will be centred around a unified data security platform. Organisations are expected to streamline their cybersecurity tools into a single, cohesive platform, improving control and visibility while addressing the ongoing cyber skills shortage. This shift aims to optimise resources and build resilient defences against sophisticated cyber threats.

Deepfakes are projected to become mainstream in the Asia Pacific by 2025. Such technologies have already been misused for political misinformation and financial fraud, as demonstrated by a recent incident involving a Hong Kong firm. The anticipated increase in deepfake usage could lead to more frequent attacks employing both video and audio deepfakes, creating credible deceptions as technology advances.

The discourse around quantum security continues as quantum computing projects gain momentum across the region. While current encryption methods remain secure, nation-state threat actors are expected to exploit "harvest now, decrypt later" strategies. This poses a significant risk to high-security data, potentially endangering civilian and military communications. Organisations are encouraged to adopt quantum-resistant protocols and technologies to counter these threats.

Transparency is deemed essential for maintaining customer trust in the AI-defining era. Regulatory bodies in the Asia Pacific are increasing their focus on ethics, data protection, and transparency regarding AI technologies. As AI becomes a central component of cybersecurity strategies, it is vital for organisations to ensure transparent operations and safeguard data integrity to build and retain consumer trust.

The focus on product integrity and supply chain security is expected to intensify in 2025. Enhanced risk assessments and accountability measures will become integral as organisations seek to mitigate the complexities inherent in cloud environments. Improved real-time visibility and monitoring systems will be crucial in managing potential risks effectively.

Simon Green, President, Asia Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, commented, "In 2025, our region will face a perfect storm of AI-driven cyber threats, escalating in scale, sophistication, and impact. The days of fragmented security approaches are over - organisations must pivot to unified platforms powered by transparent and trustworthy AI to stay ahead. As quantum attacks loom and deepfakes become mainstream tools of deception, businesses will either innovate or risk being outpaced by adversaries. The stakes have never been higher, and trust will be the ultimate currency in this new era of cybersecurity. Those who fail to adapt risk not just breaches but irreparable damage to their reputation and resilience."

Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President for ASEAN at Palo Alto Networks, added, "Attacks using Generative AI, in particular deepfakes, are proving to be a major challenge for ASEAN organisations. This, combined with the increased speed, scale and sophistication of threats, will force ASEAN organisations to modernise their cybersecurity postures with a centralised, AI-driven, scalable, cloud-based approach, in 2025."

As 2025 approaches, these forecasts offer organisations in Asia Pacific a valuable roadmap for navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape, ensuring the strategic integration of AI and the enhancement of security measures to address impending threats.