Thales 2025 cybersecurity predictions and what it means for SAP systems

Another year has passed and if 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that AI-enhanced malware has galvanized many IT teams into seeking out the necessary protection against this seemingly looming threat. Electronic and aerospace defence specialist, Thales, condensed its collective security expertise to help predict what to expect in the cybersecurity world for 2025.

Let’s kick things off with a renewed focus on data privacy, with data privacy regulations predicted to take centre stage. Cloud providers need to comply with local data laws and organizations, by necessity, must embed privacy-by-design principles in new systems and apps. As such, any privacy-enhancing tech that can automate data compliance will be the leading technical measure.

The next big prediction from Thales is the overall shift of organizations to a more risk-focused approach regarding cybersecurity. Most cyberdefences focus on reactive measures to keep data secure which is, ultimately, unsustainable. With AI increasing the scale of cyberattacks, businesses will identify ways in which they can prioritize risk more effectively, so resources and efforts can be focused on exactly where the most impact will be had.

Attacks targeting critical infrastructure have only grown over the last few years. Critical infrastructure will always be a primary target for hackers because it’s through this attack vector that criminals can inflict the most damage. With an increasing disconnect between IT, OT and geopolitical issues creates an ideal environment for insider threats.

With these three major cybersecurity predictions for 2025 identified, it would be pertinent to approach cybersecurity with a proactive attitude, rather than a reactive one. One such security solution that can help combat these looming threats is Thales’ CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager for SAP. One of the most effective ways to enhance data privacy is by only allowing access via a digital encryption key manager. Via CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager, security teams can manage the key life cycle of the encryption securing an enterprises’ SAP apps.

Proactively securing all critical systems and data with an encrypted key management system makes it harder for hackers to gain a foothold into important infrastructure. Hackers heavily rely on taking advantage of human errors. By removing the risk of unapproved data access, security teams can focus protective measures on more effective areas. CipherTrust Cloud Key Manager for SAP can help reduce the inbound effort of demonstrating data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.