As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies evolve, cyber threats have become increasingly complex.
Mimecast has unveiled its top cybersecurity predictions for 2025, identifying three critical areas of focus – Human Risk, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Governance & Compliance – to help organisations navigate the challenges of an ever-changing threat landscape.
“2025 will be a pivotal year for cybersecurity, with organisations needing to anticipate threats, address human vulnerabilities, and adapt to tightening regulatory expectations,” says Brian Pinnock, EMEA vice-president of sales engineering at Mimecast.
“By adopting proactive strategies and leveraging advanced technologies, businesses can strengthen their defences, meet compliance standards, and remain resilient in the face of disruption.”
Human Risk: The Persistent Vulnerability
Despite advances in cybersecurity technology, human factors remain one of the most significant vulnerabilities in 2025. Research from Elevate Security, a Mimecast business, found that 8% of employees are responsible for 80% of security incidents, underscoring the need for targeted training and behaviour-focused solutions. The days of one-size fits all cyber security training for employees are over.
Hybrid work environments, rapid adoption of collaboration tools, and new technologies (AI) have introduced new risks, including malicious QR codes, phishing campaigns powered by deepfake technology, and third-party bot exploitation. These trends highlight the importance of embedding real-time cybersecurity training into workflows, empowering employees with immediate feedback to reduce errors and mitigate risks.
“This year will see human risk management become a mainstream priority,” says Pinnock. “By addressing these vulnerabilities and fostering a culture of awareness, organisations can significantly reduce their exposure to attacks.”
Artificial Intelligence: A Double-Edged Sword
AI will emerge as both a critical tool for defence and a powerful weapon for attackers.
In addition to advanced AI-based phishing attacks, domain impersonation and sophisticated malware attacks, Mimecast predicts a surge in zero-day threats, particularly targeting software supply chains. These threats exploit vulnerabilities that are unknown prior to an attack, leaving organisations defenceless.
In South Africa, supply chain attacks have increased by 78% in the past year, highlighting the growing vulnerability of third-party ecosystems. Despite this, many organisations fail to regularly assess their third-party vendors, leaving critical gaps in their defences.
AI will enter its second phase of maturity, moving beyond the hype to deliver measurable results. By automating repetitive tasks, streamlining investigations, and enabling ‘just-in-time’ access to sensitive information, AI will reduce the strain on defenders while ensuring security processes remain robust.
“AI is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a necessity,” notes Pinnock. “Organisations must embrace AI-driven tools to anticipate risks, prioritise threats, and combat attackers with precision and speed.”
Governance & Compliance: Striking a Balance Between Regulation and Innovation
As we advance the discourse on AI governance and compliance, it is crucial to acknowledge the existing disparities between the Global North and Africa and the challenges posed by the rapid advancements of 4IR. With AI maturing rapidly, threats to intellectual property and regulatory compliance grow, requiring real-time monitoring and oversight of user interactions and data sharing.
At the same time, cybersecurity providers will need to navigate the complexity of a VUCHA world—volatile, uncertain, complex, hyperconnected, and ambiguous. Deploying untested controls or assuming existing solutions will remain effective is no longer viable. Instead, organisations will increasingly rely on strategic partnerships to bridge skills gaps and accelerate innovation.
“Regulation will continue to lag behind the speed of technological change,” said Pinnock. “Organisations must adopt forward-looking compliance strategies and embrace partnerships to remain agile and innovative.”
Forward-looking
Mimecast’s 2025 predictions emphasise the need for organisations to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity.
By addressing human vulnerabilities, leveraging AI-driven solutions, and aligning with regulatory requirements, businesses can strengthen their defences, foster innovation, and succeed in an increasingly volatile and complex world.