The start of 2025 is a good time to pause and reflect on 2024’s cybersecurity journey. It has been a year of significant challenges, hard-won lessons, and remarkable innovations. From escalating ransomware attacks to the growing adoption of Zero Trust security models, 2024 underscored the critical role cybersecurity plays in protecting businesses and individuals alike.
At SDG, we’ve been deeply involved in understanding and addressing these evolving threats. Through our monthly cybersecurity advisories, built on extensive research and real-world data, we’ve helped organizations navigate the risks of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. This blog captures some of the key cybersecurity trends we saw in 2024, alongside insights we’ve gathered, and a glimpse into what we anticipate for 2025.
Ransomware is Still a Major Concern
Ransomware dominated the threat landscape again this year, with attackers becoming bolder and more sophisticated.
What Stood Out
Instead of simply encrypting data and demanding payment, attackers increasingly adopted tactics like double extortion (stealing sensitive information and threatening to leak it) and even triple extortion (pressuring customers or partners of the victimized organization).
The healthcare sector, for instance, faced some of the highest numbers of ransomware attacks. With its critical data and need for uninterrupted operations, healthcare organizations were prime targets, accounting for 25% of all incidents globally.
And then there’s AI. Attackers began using artificial intelligence to generate hyper-realistic phishing emails and malware that evaded traditional defenses. It’s clear that this isn’t the ransomware of a decade ago – it’s far more advanced.
The Impact
The financial damage was staggering. The ransomware-related loss hit $30 billion globally in 2024 – a 20% jump from last year. And the Cisco breach highlighted the ripple effects of these attacks. Beyond operational disruptions, organizations grappled with reputational harm, legal implications, and strained relationships with their customers and partners.
What We’ve Learned
From our research at SDG, it’s clear that proactive preparation makes a big difference. Organizations that regularly tested their backups, trained employees to spot phishing attempts, and invested in advanced threat detection tools were better positioned to recover quickly and minimize damage.
AI in Cybersecurity – Both a Hero and a Villain
Artificial intelligence continued to make waves this year—sometimes for good and sometimes not.
What Stood Out
On the positive side, AI empowered defenders. Machine learning helped organizations sift through mountains of data to spot patterns and detect threats that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Many businesses saw their incident response times improve by as much as 30% by integrating AI into their workflows.
But it’s not all good news. Attackers, too, have been harnessing AI. From automating reconnaissance to creating adaptive malware that can morph to evade detection, cybercriminals are using the same tools that defenders rely on, making the fight even more complex.
The Impact
The dual role of AI – both as a defense mechanism and a weapon – has created a challenging dynamic. Many organizations are now playing catch-up, trying to strengthen their defenses before attackers outpace them. A survey we referenced in one of our advisories showed that 40% of security leaders worry about AI being used against their systems.
What We’ve Learned
AI isn’t a silver bullet, and it isn’t infallible. The human element – security experts analyzing, interpreting, and responding to threats – remains critical. At SDG, we are practicing and advising organizations to use AI as an augmentation tool, not as a replacement for human judgment.
Data Privacy – The Regulatory Pressure is On
With data breaches becoming more common and consumers growing more aware of their rights, data privacy laws tightened globally in 2024.
What Stood Out
This year saw record-breaking GDPR fines, exceeding €2.5 billion in total. One tech giant alone was fined €300 million for mishandling user data. Meanwhile, emerging markets like India and Brazil introduced robust privacy regulations, increasing the compliance burden on multinational companies.
The Impact
For many businesses, these stricter regulations served as a wake-up call. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building trust. Organizations that failed to meet these requirements faced not only financial penalties but also reputational damage and customer attrition.
What We’ve Learned
One of our key recommendations this year was for businesses to adopt compliance as a continuous process, not a one-time project. Investing in tools that provide real-time visibility into data usage and potential breaches can save organizations a lot of trouble in the long run.
Supply Chain Security – A Weak Link for Many
Cybercriminals increasingly exploited third-party vulnerabilities to infiltrate larger organizations, making supply chain security a hot topic in 2024.
What Stood Out
Attackers leveraged weaknesses in third-party software to access critical systems, underscoring the interconnected risks that come with partnerships. Businesses also started paying more attention to Zero Trust models, which enforce strict access controls and continuous monitoring across the supply chain.
The Impact
Supply chain attacks didn’t just affect individual organizations—they had a domino effect. For instance, when a logistics company suffered an attack, it led to weeks of delays that disrupted global trade routes.
What We’ve Learned
Vendor security assessments and strong internal controls can significantly reduce risk. SDG’s research showed that businesses implementing micro-segmentation to isolate potential threats within their networks saw fewer cascading effects from supply chain breaches.
Cloud Security – The Price of Convenience
With cloud adoption continuing to grow, organizations faced new challenges in managing their cloud environments securely.
What Stood Out
Misconfigurations and insider threats accounted for the majority of cloud-related incidents. Many companies struggled to secure their multi-cloud environments due to inconsistent controls and a lack of visibility across platforms.
The Impact
A staggering 82% of organizations experienced at least one cloud-related security incident in 2024. For many, these incidents highlighted how easy it is for a simple misstep – like a misconfigured storage bucket – to snowball into a significant breach.
What We’ve Learned
The path forward lies in automation and education. SDG consistently recommended tools that automate cloud security monitoring and training programs to ensure teams know how to avoid common pitfalls.
Zero Trust in The New Normal
Zero Trust security moved from being an industry buzzword to a must-have framework in 2024.
What Stood Out
This approach, which operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” became increasingly popular as organizations dealt with hybrid workforces and advanced threats. Key technologies with micro-segmentation helped businesses limit the spread of attacks within their networks.
The Impact
By the end of the year, 68% of organizations reported adopting or planning to adopt Zero Trust models, up from 51% in 2023. The benefits were clear – better control over who accessed what, and fewer incidents of lateral movement by attackers.
What We’ve Learned
Zero Trust isn’t just for large enterprises. At SDG, we’ve worked with small and medium businesses to tailor these frameworks to their specific needs, proving that Zero Trust is scalable and effective for everyone.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly shifting, but here’s what we expect to see in the coming year:
Final Thoughts
2024 reminded us that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about resilience, preparation, and the human mind. At SDG, we’ve been privileged to work with organizations worldwide, helping them stay one step ahead of threats and build a safer digital future.
As we head into 2025, let’s carry forward the lessons of this year. Together, let’s build a safer, more secure future.
