At ProArch, cybersecurity isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. Every day, our consultants, threat hunters, and SOC analysts are in the trenches, tackling the latest tactics attackers use to target businesses.
With experience protecting hundreds of organizations across industries and locations, we’ve identified 5 key cybersecurity trends happening on the frontlines right now. These insights come straight from real-world scenarios our consultants, threat hunters, and SOC analysts face daily making them invaluable for understanding emerging risks and refining your security priorities.
In this blog, we’re sharing the top threats our team is tackling and keeping an eye on. Use this intel to strengthen your defenses and stay ahead of what’s next.
In 2024, cybercriminals are weaponizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to enhance the sophistication and automation of their attacks. AI enables attackers to craft highly personalized phishing emails, develop adaptive malware that evades detection, and execute large-scale operations like DDoS attacks with greater precision.
What’s more alarming is the use of AI to exploit vulnerabilities in the very systems organizations deploy for cybersecurity. By targeting AI-driven defense models, attackers are outpacing traditional measures, making their campaigns faster, more targeted, and increasingly effective.
The rapid advancement and accessibility of AI and ML tools have made them appealing to cybercriminals, enabling faster, more adaptive attacks that bypass traditional defenses. As businesses adopt AI for security, attackers exploit vulnerabilities like manipulating AI models or data poisoning to evade detection. The rise in AI-powered cyberattacks is further fueled by the availability of AI tools on the dark web, broadening access for attackers.
Password-based attacks have been prevalent for years now (and still are), in fact, 7,000 password attacks were blocked per second in 2024. So why the shift from the tried-and-true password spray? More and more organizations are starting to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA). Which is a good thing. But, as attackers encounter an increased number of identities that are protected by MFA, they are beginning to move to these complex identity-based attacks that are not as easily mitigated. Once an attack bypasses MFA and has your credentials, they have an open door to compromise systems and steal data.
Remote work and cloud adoption have expanded the attack surface, making it easier for attackers to exploit identity-based vulnerabilities. Weak password practices and gaps in MFA implementation also leave systems exposed. According to the 2024 Microsoft Digital Defense Report, threat actors are adapting their strategies to compromise identities by focusing on three main areas: attacking infrastructure, bypassing authentication, and exploiting applications.
IoT has made big contributions to boosting efficiency, automation, and real-time data. However, the rapid growth of these smart devices, as well as their reliance on data transfer, and internet connectedness, have increased their vulnerability to cyberattacks. As a result, the risk of successful compromise is rising every day.
The rapid growth of IoT devices, combined with inconsistent security protocols, has created a vulnerable attack surface. IoT devices accounted for over 33% of all cyberattacks on internet-connected devices in 2023, according to Palo Alto Networks. This threat intensified with the 2024 Roku cyberattack, which compromised over 576,000 accounts. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of IoT devices, raising concerns about consumer trust, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity integration across ecosystems. Safeguarding IoT devices is crucial to protect personal, financial information, and home network integrity.
Critical infrastructure—including manufacturing, government services, hospitals, power generation, and electrical grids—is increasingly targeted by ransomware attacks. In 2023, over 60% of global organizations reported being impacted by ransomware, with critical infrastructure sectors, such as healthcare and energy, experiencing some of the most devastating attacks. Cybercriminals exploit these essential systems to disrupt operations and demand substantial ransoms, often threatening to expose sensitive information or halt services. This shift marks a move from broad corporate attacks to highly consequential strikes on national security and public safety systems.
Operational technology (OT) environments are particularly vulnerable because they typically contain outdated or unsupported assets and lack modern security protections that IT environments have. OT security has not been a top priority for many organizations with critical infrastructure. The complexity and necessity of these systems heighten the impact of disruptions, making them an attractive target for attackers who want to cause disruption. They know organizations can’t afford a disruption or outage, so they are often forced to pay high ransoms.
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging confidential information, often by exploiting trust or human error. Traditional phishing methods have evolved into more sophisticated targeted attacks, with quishing (QR code phishing) and vishing (voice phishing) becoming more and more common.
Quishing tricks individuals into scanning fraudulent QR codes that lead to malicious websites, download malware, or steal credentials. Vishing involves attackers making convincing phone calls, often impersonating legitimate entities, to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive information.
Humans are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, as attackers capitalize on our natural tendencies to trust, respond quickly, or act on urgency—whether it’s an urgent email from “IT support” or a phone call from “HR.”
The rise in QR code usage, from restaurant menus to digital payments, has made them a prime target for exploitation. Many people remain unaware of the risks associated with scanning unknown QR codes, and since mobile devices, which often lack corporate-level security, are primarily used to scan them, attackers see this as a vulnerable entry point.
At the same time, the shift to remote work has made communication tools like Zoom, GoTo, and Microsoft Teams a new vector for attackers. AI capabilities are now being leveraged to create more convincing and scalable vishing attempts. Additionally, victims are being overwhelmed with fake subscription emails, making them more likely to trust and engage with follow-up vishing calls.
Staying ahead of cyber threats requires more than just awareness—it demands action. The insights shared here highlight the evolving tactics of attackers and the critical need for robust, proactive defenses. As threats grow more sophisticated, having a trusted partner with deep expertise and real-world experience becomes essential.
ProArch is a trusted Microsoft partner with Managed Detection and Response services built on Microsoft technology. Contact us today to learn how we can assist in elevating your security infrastructure.