Predictions for 2025: What Matters for Your Human Risk Strategy

We love predictions. They’re equal parts art and science, a kaleidoscope of insight, pattern recognition, and a touch of bold speculation. As we dive into 2025, we’re reminded of one iron law of cybersecurity: everything gets bigger, badder, and faster year after year.

In 2024, we saw seismic shifts in cyber threats and defenses—AI-powered attacks scaling unprecedented heights, phishing evolving into hyper-targeted social engineering, and a stronger focus on integrating human factors into cybersecurity frameworks. But where does this leave us for 2025? Enter the HUMAN OS™ (our term for the human operating system). While technology races ahead, the human OS—our habits, instincts, and cognitive capacities—remains largely unchanged, honed over hundreds of thousands of years. The result? A widening gap between how we process risk and the digital world’s pace.

So, pour yourself a cup of tea, take a moment to sit and think. Let us do the heavy lifting as we unpack five key predictions for 2025 and explore how they could shape your human risk strategy:

What’s your program doing this year? 

Have you considered the innovative ways to turn these trends into opportunities?

Prediction 1: Generative AI Attacks Will Dominate the Threat Landscape

The Trend

Generative AI is no longer just a game-changer for creative industries—it’s rapidly becoming a weapon of choice for cybercriminals. In 2025, we expect AI-driven phishing, deepfake impersonations, and automated social engineering campaigns to reach new levels of sophistication. The sheer volume of AI-generated attacks will challenge even the most prepared organizations.

Our Take

The arms race between AI and cybersecurity tools is fascinating, but the overlooked piece of the puzzle is how humans interact with these evolving threats. The key to countering AI-driven attacks isn’t just better tools—it’s adaptive people. By fostering a culture of curiosity and skepticism, organizations can equip employees to spot and report unusual patterns AI might exploit.

Key Tip: Run simulations featuring AI-generated phishing emails and deepfakes to expose your team to these threats in a controlled environment. Focus on building reflexive behaviors—like pausing before clicking—to counteract instinctive responses.

Prediction 2: Cyber-Physical Systems Will Be the New Battleground

The Trend

With the rise of IoT devices and smart infrastructure, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are becoming a critical target. From supply chain attacks to smart building vulnerabilities, the convergence of digital and physical risk will demand heightened awareness and readiness.

Our Take

While CPS attacks are often framed as highly technical issues, their success frequently hinges on human error. Phishing emails targeting facility staff or poorly communicated security protocols often open the door. Integrating human risk management into CPS security is essential.

Key Tip: Incorporate CPS-specific scenarios into your HRM program. Educate staff on how their roles intersect with CPS risks and ensure incident response plans include human-centric contingencies.

Prediction 3: Regulatory Pressure Will Reshape Cybersecurity Priorities

The Trend

The wave of new regulations around data privacy, AI ethics, and critical infrastructure protection shows no sign of slowing. In 2025, organizations will face increased scrutiny, with compliance becoming a significant driver of cybersecurity initiatives.

Our Take

Compliance is necessary but insufficient. Treating regulatory requirements as the floor rather than the ceiling can create a more resilient organization. Human risk management plays a pivotal role in achieving this by embedding security as part of the organizational culture, rather than treating it as a tick-box exercise.

Key Tip: Use regulatory audits as an opportunity to level up your HRM strategy. Map compliance requirements to behavior-based metrics, ensuring your program addresses both regulatory and real-world risks.

Prediction 4: Employee Fatigue Will Undermine Security Efforts

The Trend

As cyber threats grow, so do the demands on employees to stay vigilant. In 2025, burnout and disengagement will become significant risks, with fatigued employees more likely to make mistakes or ignore security protocols.

Our Take

The answer isn’t piling on more training; it’s designing interventions that fit seamlessly into employees’ workflows. By understanding and addressing the root causes of fatigue—such as cognitive overload or poorly timed communications—organizations can keep security efforts effective without adding to the burden.

Key Tip: Conduct an audit of your current HRM interventions. Are they overwhelming or poorly timed? Focus on microlearning, personalized nudges, and low-effort security actions to keep engagement high.

Prediction 5: Boards Will Demand Better Metrics for Human Risk

The Trend

Cyber risk is no longer just a technical issue; it’s a board-level priority. In 2025, executives will demand clearer, more actionable metrics for human risk to guide strategic decisions and justify investments.

Our Take

This shift presents an opportunity to redefine how human risk is measured and communicated. Go beyond simple click rates or training completions to showcase the impact of your HRM program on organizational resilience. Use storytelling to make the data relatable and compelling.

Key Tip: Develop a dashboard that connects human risk metrics to business outcomes. Highlight trends like reduced phishing susceptibility alongside productivity gains or improved engagement to paint a holistic picture for the board.

The Road Ahead

Cybersecurity predictions are a fascinating blend of challenge and opportunity. While the threats for 2025 may feel daunting, they also open doors for innovation, resilience, and transformation. By aligning your human risk strategy with these emerging trends, you can stay ahead of the curve and turn potential vulnerabilities into strengths.

What’s your program doing this year? Have you considered how these predictions will impact your HRM strategy? If you’re ready to explore these topics further, let’s talk.

Together, we can build a human risk strategy designed not just for today but for the future.