Helen Yu on Staying One Step Ahead with Proactive Cybersecurity in 2025

From cloud computing to the Internet of Things, every technological leap has historically brought new cybersecurity challenges. Now, artificial intelligence has become the ultimate wildcard in cybersecurity. It's a double-edged sword that can both protect and destroy, giving cybercriminals powerful new tools while simultaneously offering us unprecedented defense mechanisms.

Picture this: a future where cyberattacks are not just automated but self-learning. Instead of simple malware or basic phishing attempts, businesses are now facing sophisticated threats powered by AI algorithms that can adapt, evolve, and outsmart traditional defenses. That future might be closer than we think.

So, how can companies stay one step ahead? The answer lies in proactively understanding these AI-driven threats and leveraging AI to protect against them.

Helen Yu, CEO of Tigon Advisory Corp., discusses how companies can stay ahead when investing in cybersecurity services. 

Thwarting AI-Powered Threats

According to global data and business intelligence platform Statista, the market for artificial intelligence is expected to grow in the coming years, from around $24 billion in 2023 to roughly $134 billion in 2030. AI can improve threat detection and accelerate incident response times when incorporated into proactive cybersecurity operations.

Conversely, artificial intelligence has also fundamentally transformed cybersecurity threats. Unlike traditional cyberattacks, AI-powered threats are automated, adaptive, and often difficult to detect until it's too late.

AI-driven cyber threats can learn, mimic, and attack with a level of precision that human hackers alone could never achieve. AI has enabled cybercriminals to scale their efforts, orchestrating attacks that can bypass even the most robust defenses. From using machine learning and phishing emails to deploying deepfake technology, the methods of attack have become more sophisticated, making it important for businesses to stay vigilant.

“Let's look at the top eight cyber attacks in 2024: phishing, ransomware, denial of service, man-in-the-middle, SQL injection, cross-site scripting, zero-day exploits, and DNS spoofing,” said Yu. “For 2025, I anticipate more AI-driven threats: AI-powered phishing, deepfake voice fraud, adaptive malware, coordinated massive attacks, automated threat hunting, and easier credential stuffing.”

But how exactly are these AI-powered threats manifesting? Here are some examples:

• AI-powered phishing: Phishing emails used to be fairly easy to spot, but now, AI has taken them to a new level. It’s no longer just about misspelled words or suspicious links. By analyzing data, AI can craft emails that sound exactly like a trusted colleague or manager, making it much harder to tell what's real and what's not.
• Deepfake voice fraud: Imagine getting a call that sounds exactly like your CEO asking for an urgent money transfer. It's not your boss but a deepfake created using AI. Scammers use this technology to convincingly mimic voices, trick employees into sharing confidential information or making unauthorized payments.
• Adaptive malware: Traditional malware can be blocked once it's detected, but AI-powered malware is a different beast. It’s constantly changing its code to dodge antivirus programs. Even if security teams patch a vulnerability, this malware can adjust and slip through again.
• Coordinated bot attacks: Bots aren’t new, but AI has made them much smarter. These bots can now team up to launch massive attacks that overwhelm websites, crash servers, or even sneak into systems to steal data.
• Automated threat hunting: Cybercriminals use AI to find vulnerabilities in a company's network quickly. These AI-powered bots can scan for weak spots faster than humans, exploiting them before businesses even realize a risk.

Cybercriminals are getting faster and smarter, using automated threat hunting to pinpoint weaknesses before your security team even knows they exist. Staying informed and leveraging your own AI tools can help turn the tables. Being proactive and using new technologies to defend against the very threats they’re helping to create can help you stay a step ahead of cybercriminals.

Investing in Cutting-Edge Solutions

While AI has amplified the capabilities of cyber attackers, it also serves as a powerful tool for defense. Embracing AI-driven cybersecurity solutions can help you detect threats early, respond more effectively, and make better decisions to safeguard your business. As we move into 2025, leveraging AI isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity.

“Businesses should understand their threat landscape, organize priorities, measure risks, improve tech defenses, and build a security-first culture. Ensure everyone is cyber-aware, not just IT," said Yu. 

The beauty of AI lies in its ability to sift through vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and recognize anomalies at lightning speed. This capability can revolutionize cybersecurity, from threat detection to incident response.

Certain subsets of AI, such as generative AI, machine learning, and deep learning, have unlocked new levels of cybersecurity protection, allowing companies to anticipate and neutralize threats in real-time.

Some examples of proactive cybersecurity solutions include:

• AI-Enhanced Threat Detection and Response Systems: These systems use AI to spot potential threats much faster than traditional methods. Through constantly scanning data, they can pick up on anything unusual and respond immediately to stop a breach before it becomes a problem.
• User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): Consider this as a watchdog for user behavior. AI tracks what’s normal for each person in the system, so if someone starts acting suspiciously, like trying to access data they shouldn't, it raises a flag. It’s particularly useful for pinpointing malicious insiders and compromised entities.
• Behavioral Biometrics: This takes security up a notch by analyzing unique behaviors like how you type or move your mouse. It’s a way to confirm someone’s identity without relying on passwords or two-factor authentication.
• Automated Vulnerability and Patch Management: Staying on top of software updates can be a hassle, but leaving vulnerabilities unpatched is risky. AI can scan for these weak spots and apply fixes automatically, closing the gap before attackers can exploit it.

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, it’s reassuring to know that AI is on our side, too. Just as cybercriminals use AI to find clever ways to infiltrate systems, businesses can adopt that technology to stay one step ahead. Think about it: instead of waiting for an attack, what if your system could spot unusual behavior and stop it before it even gets close? That’s the promise of AI.

Cyber-Awareness Helps Improve Tech Defenses

Despite AI's sophistication, the most powerful tool against cyber threats remains awareness. As AI continues to evolve, so will the tactics malicious actors use. Businesses promoting a cyber-aware culture and prioritizing a security-first mindset will be better positioned to defend against these emerging threats.

Outsourcing to specialized cybersecurity providers can also be a wise decision, especially for small to mid-sized businesses lacking in-house expertise. 

About Helen Yu, Founder of Tigon Advisory Corp.

Helen Yu is the CEO and founder of Tigon Advisory Corp, a top expert in growth strategy and digital transformation. With a proven track record of helping companies scale and navigate complex challenges, Helen is passionate about bridging the gap between technology and business. She's a sought-after keynote speaker and author, known for her insights on cybersecurity, innovation, and sustainable growth.

About the Author

Elaine Margrethe Alcantara Content Writer at Clutch

Elaine Margrethe is a part of Clutch’s global team of writers. She is responsible for writing blogs, supporting blog processes, and content creation efforts.

See full profile