Leading research and advisory company, Gartner, recently identified the six top cybersecurity trends in 2025. AI, which has dominated the online sector, is the top trend.

These trends each have a broad impact on the worldwide cybersecurity landscape and affect just about every aspect of the field.

The six trends that Gartner outlined are:

  • Generative AI leading data security programs: In the past, most companies focused on protecting structured data like databases. With the development of generative AI, many companies have begun to expand their security to unstructured data, like text and videos. This leads to a safer work environment but also requires extensive retraining, understanding, and communication from leadership to understand how to properly use LLM models.
  • Tactical use of AI: Organizations around the world are currently learning how to tactically use AI to improve their security.
  • Cybersecurity optimization: According to a Gartner survey, companies use an average of 45 cybersecurity tools each. They recommend consolidating core security controls and emphasizing data portability to optimize their protection.
  • Extending the cultural programs and security behaviors. Many leaders have recognized the benefits of extended cultural programs and recognition of good and bad behavior. Gartner also points out that adopting generative AI tools could cut back on cybersecurity personnel-driven incidents by as much as 40%.
  • Managing machine identities: The adoption of cloud services, automation, and more has left companies more reliant on machine identities. If these aren’t properly protected, it can easily spell disaster for that business and its partners. Gartner also points out that leadership has a lot of pressure to implement robust security practices, but machine identities are often forgotten about.
  • Address widespread cybersecurity personnel burnout: Currently, the cybersecurity industry faces widespread employee burnout due to relentless demands and a constantly shifting work environment. If companies cannot manage these issues, a longer-term shortage is likely to follow.

“Security and risk management (SRM) leaders face a mix of challenges and opportunities this year, with a goal to enable transformation and embed resilience,” Alex Michaels, Senior principal analyst at Gartner said during a speech. “Their efforts in achieving both are crucial to support their organization’s aspirations to not only innovate but ensure their innovations are secure and sustainable in a fast-changing digital world.”