Who’s at Risk? Recognizing 2025’s Biggest Cyber Threats
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By Sara Bankert, Vice President
Cyber threats in 2025 are becoming more sophisticated, with industries facing heightened risks from ransomware, phishing, and AI-driven fraud. As businesses expand their digital infrastructure, cybercriminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to operational disruptions, financial losses, and regulatory penalties.
Certain sectors are particularly vulnerable due to the sensitive nature of their data and reliance on digital systems. The healthcare industry, for instance, “...[accounted] for 14.2% of all critical infrastructure attacks in 2023,” as Mitchell Langley of the Security Daily Review noted, highlighting its attractiveness to cybercriminals. Similarly, the financial services sector has seen a significant increase in cyber attacks, with 67% of financial institutions reporting a rise over the past year. Identifying which industries face the highest cyber risks provides a clearer understanding of how these threats impact different business sectors.
"The global cyber insurance market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2024 to 2030, reaching an estimated $50 billion by 2030."
– Source: Barry Elad, Coin Law Blog Contributor
High-Risk Industries for Cyber Attacks in 2025
Cybercriminals more frequently target certain industries due to the nature of their operations, the sensitivity of their data, and their reliance on digital infrastructure. In 2025, the following sectors remain among the most vulnerable to cyber threats.
- Healthcare
- The healthcare sector continues to face significant cyber risks due to its reliance on electronic health records and connected medical devices.
- Ransomware attacks remain a major concern, with cybercriminals targeting hospitals and healthcare systems to disrupt operations and demand payment for restored access to critical patient data.
- Financial Services
- Banks, credit unions, and fintech companies are high-value targets due to the financial transactions they process daily.
- Phishing schemes, fraud attempts, and data breaches affecting customer accounts are becoming more frequent, with cybercriminals leveraging advanced tactics to access sensitive financial information.
- Retail & E-Commerce
- The increase in online transactions has made retail and e-commerce businesses more vulnerable to payment fraud and credential theft.
- Cybercriminals often exploit weaknesses in supply chain networks to gain unauthorized access to systems and steal payment data.
These industries face persistent cyber threats due to their high-value data and operational dependencies, making them prime targets for cybercriminals seeking financial gain or disruption.
Emerging Cyber Threats in 2025
As cybercriminal tactics evolve, new and increasingly sophisticated threats are reshaping the digital landscape. In 2025, several key threats are expected to pose significant risks across industries.
- Ransomware Evolution
- Ransomware attacks are becoming more advanced, with cybercriminals using AI-driven techniques to automate and enhance their attacks.
- Critical infrastructure and large enterprises remain prime targets, as attackers seek maximum disruption and higher ransom payouts.
- Supply Chain Attacks
- Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting third-party vendors and service providers as entry points into larger organizations.
- By exploiting vulnerabilities in supply chains, attackers can access sensitive data, disrupt operations, and move laterally across networks.
- Deepfake and AI-Based Fraud
- The growing use of AI-generated deepfake technology has led to an increase in financial fraud and corporate impersonation schemes.
- Cybercriminals use AI to create realistic fake audio and video content, tricking employees into authorizing fraudulent transactions or disclosing confidential information.
These emerging threats highlight the shifting nature of cyber risks, demonstrating how attackers continuously adapt their methods to exploit new vulnerabilities.
Cyber Insurance in High-Risk Sectors
As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses in high-risk industries rely on cyber insurance to mitigate financial and operational risks. Policies vary by sector and insurer, but coverage generally addresses key cyber risks such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and business interruption.
- Coverage for Ransomware and Cyber Extortion
- Many cyber insurance policies include coverage for ransomware incidents, helping businesses manage ransom payments, system recovery costs, and forensic investigations.
- AI-driven ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure have increased demand for higher policy limits and specialized response services.
- Supply Chain Risk and Third-Party Coverage
- Supply chain vulnerabilities have led to greater emphasis on third-party risk management within cyber insurance policies.
- Some policies now include contingent business interruption coverage, addressing financial losses caused by cyber incidents affecting vendors or service providers.
- Fraud Protection Against AI-Based Threats
- As deepfake technology and AI-driven fraud become more common, cyber insurance policies are adapting to include coverage for financial fraud and social engineering attacks.
- Certain policies provide reimbursement for fraudulent transactions and legal expenses associated with impersonation schemes.
The increasing complexity of cyber threats is shaping the cyber insurance market, influencing policy structures and coverage limits across high-risk industries.
Conclusion
In 2025, industries such as healthcare, financial services, and retail remain prime targets for cyber attacks due to their reliance on digital infrastructure and the value of their data. Emerging threats, including AI-driven ransomware, supply chain vulnerabilities, and deepfake fraud, continue to evolve, increasing the complexity of cyber risks across these sectors. Reflecting this heightened risk landscape, Barry Elad of Coin Law writes, “The global cyber insurance market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2024 to 2030, reaching an estimated $50 billion by 2030.”
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the role of cyber insurance continues to expand, with policies adapting to cover new attack methods and financial risks. Understanding industry-specific cyber exposures is essential for assessing coverage needs and recognizing how cyber insurance aligns with the shifting digital landscape.
Sara Bankert is a vice president of Builders & Tradesmen’s Insurance Services, Inc., an Amynta Group Company.
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