6 Security Trends Every CISO Should Know 

Cybersecurity trends continue to shape the threat landscape. Security leaders face increasing challenges as technology advances, threat vectors expand, and regulations tighten. Whether it’s keeping up with the rapid development of AI, mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities, or navigating complex cyber insurance requirements, today’s CISOs have their hands full. 

These are the top security trends I’ve seen shape this year. From AI governance to insider threats, I’ll break down what’s top of mind for security leaders and share opportunities to tackle these trends effectively.  

If you’re interested in security trends, save the date for my talk at LogicOn on October 14, ThreatScape 2025: What Every Leader Needs to Know Now. Register here.  

1. AI Security and Governance: The Double-Edged Sword 

AI has revolutionized the tech landscape, but it’s also created new challenges for security leaders. Discussions around AI security and governance dominate the space, as organizations struggle to balance AI’s benefits with its risks. 

The Opportunity

AI is rapidly evolving, and many organizations don’t fully understand how to secure their AI systems or the data they process. This lack of awareness can lead to vulnerabilities in AI models, data leakage, or even breaches caused by poorly implemented AI systems. 

Actionable Insights

• Audit & Monitor Usage: It is critical you know what is being used, by whom and for what purpose; this creates accountability, ensures compliance with legal and ethical standards, and enables early detection of misuse or vulnerabilities. 

• Develop AI Governance Frameworks: Define clear policies around the use and protection of AI tools, ensuring data integrity and compliance with emerging regulations. 

• Implement Data Classification: Data classification ensures that sensitive information is properly identified and protected, reducing the risk of unauthorized access, model poisoning, or data leakage. 

• Train Teams: Security teams need ongoing training to stay ahead of AI-centered threats. 

• Conduct Regular Testing: Leverage external testing services or internal teams to evaluate your organization’s AI systems for vulnerabilities. 

Why It Matters 

AI security remains a moving target, evolving faster than many organizations can adapt. Mitigating risks now will prevent costly setbacks in the future. 

2. The Resurgence of Zero Trust Architecture 

Zero Trust, once dismissed by some as a buzzword, is back with renewed importance, largely due to concerns over AI and identity management. The principle? Trust nothing and verify everything. 

The Challenge

Many teams either falsely believe they’ve implemented Zero Trust or have done so inconsistently. This creates gaps that attackers can exploit. 

Actionable Insights

• Audit Your Current Practices: Evaluate whether your Zero Trust architecture is working as intended by reviewing access control policies and monitoring access points. 

• Prioritize Protection: Address your most critical assets. Failure to do so will dilute the effectiveness of the strategy and overwhelm teams.  

• Implement Granular Permissions: Ensure employees only have access to resources strictly necessary for their roles. 

• Deploy Verification Tools: Advanced threat detection tools can help by continuously verifying permissions and detecting anomalies in real time. 

• AI Agent Coverage: Ensure you are including AI agents as part of your strategy to prevent them from acting outside of their intended boundaries.  

Why It Matters 

Zero Trust isn’t just a theory. It’s a practical framework that, when implemented correctly, minimizes security risk across internal and external systems. 

3. Cyber Insurance Becomes a Business Imperative 

Skyrocketing premiums and stricter requirements make cyber insurance a hot topic in 2025. Insurers now demand proof of robust security controls before offering coverage, pushing companies to improve their proactive security measures. 

The Opportunity 

Companies can significantly reduce their insurance costs by demonstrating compliance with security standards and showcasing strong defenses. 

Actionable Insights

• Adopt Industry Standards: Compliance with frameworks like NIST or ISO 27001 can bolster your case. 

• Leverage Security Tools: Use tools like External Attack Surface Management (EASM), and Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management (CAASM), Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) as a Service, or cyber hygiene assessments to prove your organization’s defenses are effective. 

• Engage with Insurers Early: Work proactively with insurers, providing detailed reports that validate your readiness. 

Why It Matters 

Demonstrating security measures can lower premiums and free up budget for other priorities, creating a virtuous cycle of improved security and reduced costs. 

4. Supply Chain Risks Loom Large 

The interconnected nature of modern businesses leaves companies vulnerable to risks in their supply chains. APIs, vendors, and third-party software often serve as the weakest links in a company’s security. 

The Challenge 

Organizations frequently rely on third-party systems while having limited visibility into their security practices, creating significant blind spots. 

Actionable Insights

• Map Your Supply Chain: Identify every vendor, API, and system that interacts with your network. 

• Conduct Due Diligence: Regularly audit the security practices of vendors and partners. 

• Invest in Visibility Tools: Tools that provide insights into network dependencies can help uncover hidden risks. 

• Define and Implement Procurement Process: This prevents the introduction of unverified vendors, counterfeit components, or compromised software that could undermine enterprise security.  

Why It Matters 

Supply chain vulnerabilities can lead to devastating breaches. Maintaining control over this aspect of your environment is critical to staying secure. 

5. Identity and Access Management (IAM) as the First Line of Defense 

The focus has shifted from securing the perimeter to securing identities. Threat actors increasingly target both human and non-human accounts, exploiting weaknesses in IAM systems. 

The Challenge 

Many organizations are unaware of all the identities within their systems, making it impossible to secure them completely. 

Actionable Insights

• Inventory All Identities: Use tools like internal and external attack surface management to identify all accounts actively connected to your systems. 

• Strengthen Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and ensure compliance across your user base. 

• Monitor for Anomalies: Set up real-time monitoring to detect unauthorized access or suspicious behavior. 

• Perform Regular Access Reviews: Ensure that only authorized individuals retain access to critical systems and data, reducing the risk of privilege creep, insider threats, and compliance violations. 

Why It Matters 

The integrity of employee and service identities is critical to stopping attacks from reaching deeper into your organization’s infrastructure. 

6. Insider Threats and Emerging Risks 

One emerging concern is the rise in insider threats, particularly from external actors gaining internal access. Notably, instances of North Korean workers using deepfakes to secure IT jobs have raised alarms. 

The Challenge 

Traditional background checks may not be enough to detect these sophisticated methods of infiltration. 

Actionable Insights

• Enhance Screening Practices: Work with experts to spot red flags such as deepfaked credentials or suspicious virtual interviews. 

• Monitor Employee Behavior: Employ behavioral analytics to identify irregularities in employee activity. 

• Educate Your Workforce: Training employees to recognize manipulation attempts fosters a stronger internal defense. 

• Offer Employee Assistance: Mental health management is a critical component of insider threat defense. 

Why It Matters 

Insider threats remain one of the hardest vulnerabilities to defend against, making proactive measures essential. 

Putting It All Together 

Addressing these trends requires more than just adding new security tools. It demands a mindset shift among all stakeholders. From preparation to execution, today’s security leaders must adapt their strategies and lean into available resources. 

Key Takeaways

1. Stay ahead of the curve by building governance frameworks for new technology like AI. 
2. Move past surface-level implementations of Zero Trust and ensure rigorous application. 
3. Leverage existing tools to meet cyber insurance requirements and reduce costs. 
4. Gain visibility into third-party risks to protect your supply chain. 
5. Secure identities with robust IAM solutions and real-time monitoring. 
6. Proactively mitigate insider threats with advanced screenings and behavioral analytics. 

By implementing these measures thoughtfully and strategically, organizations can build a proactive security strategy that stays ahead of today’s evolving threats and ensures long-term resilience in the security landscape. 

I’ll be sharing more about these trends and others at LogicON on Tuesday, Oct.14 during my talk, ThreatScape 2025: What Every Leader Needs to Know Now. Register today.