How Cybersecurity Will Change for SAP Users in 2025

In 2024, SAPinsider research indicated that 29% of SAP users surveyed needed assistance about the security needed at different levels. This was up from 23% in 2023. Now, for 2025, SAP has homed in on some crucial areas that could impact how its users view cybersecurity and where they might need assistance. 

Cybercriminals will leverage advanced AI and machine learning techniques to enhance their attacks in 2025. This evolution means traditional security measures may become inadequate, as attackers could use AI to identify vulnerabilities and automate their exploitations. For CIOs, this underscores the necessity of investing in AI-driven cybersecurity tools that can adapt and respond in real-time to emerging threats. 

SAP also projects a shift towards a decentralized cybersecurity strategy. As businesses continue to adopt remote work and cloud-based solutions, a perimeter-based security model becomes less effective. Instead, organizations will need to implement a zero-trust architecture that verifies every access request, irrespective of the user’s location. This change requires CIOs to rethink their legacy security frameworks. 

On top of all these threats, regulatory pressure will intensify, making organizations adopt more stringent cybersecurity practices. With governments worldwide ramping up legislation related to data protection and cybersecurity, compliance will become a critical aspect of strategic planning. CIOs must stay ahead of these regulations by integrating compliance into their cybersecurity strategies and ensuring that their ERP systems can facilitate robust reporting and auditing processes. 

What this means for SAPinsiders 

• AI will make cybercriminals much smarter: SAP end users need to keep this mind and leverage AI even more effectively than the bad guys. Any cybersecurity strategy that isn’t looking at all the ways AI can raise risk will be subject to failure. 

• Decentralized cybersecurity will make zero trust architecture must-have: Zero trust is no longer optional for CIOs and business leaders. It’s now a mandatory part of any cybersecurity strategy. 

• Regulatory pressures will only grow: Effective cybersecurity must be integrated with both compliance and risk management strategies. CIOs must prioritize compliance within their cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring ERP systems are equipped to support robust reporting and auditing processes to meet these regulatory demands.