FROM THE BLOG

The cyber landscape is changing faster than ever. In 2025, business professionals across all industries, especially those handling sensitive financial information, face a growing array of digital threats. Staying informed is our best defense.

As follows are the top cyber threats business professionals may encounter this year and how our firm, and each of us, can stay one step ahead.

1. AI-Powered Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing attacks remain the most common method of cyber intrusion, but in 2025, we’re seeing a dangerous twist: the use of artificial intelligence to personalize, mimic, and scale these efforts.

• Attackers are using generative AI to craft messages that sound like real colleagues or clients.
• Some are even cloning voices or mimicking writing styles to trick recipients into approving transfers or sharing credentials.

What to do: If something feels “off,” trust your instincts. Always verify financial or access requests through a second method (call, compliant text message, etc.), especially those involving urgency, secrecy, or pressure.

2. Business Email Compromise (BEC) 2.0
These attacks involve hackers gaining access to a legitimate business email account, such as for an established business partner or vendor, and using it to impersonate a trusted source, often with devastating financial impact.

• BEC attempts increasingly involve multiple emails, spoofed domains, or hijacked threads.
• Targets are typically financial professionals, assistants, and executives.

What to do: Slow down and double-check. Hover over email addresses, verify unusual requests, and flag anything questionable to your IT. We’re always happy to investigate.

3. SaaS Sprawl and Insider Risk
As businesses adopt more cloud-based tools, the risk of data leakage grows. Sometimes this comes from malicious intent, but more often, it’s accidental.

• Users may store sensitive files in unapproved apps or forget to revoke access after transitions.
• Over time, these oversights create security blind spots.

How to stay safe: Use approved platforms, review access lists regularly, and ensure that data is shared only with those who truly need it.

4. Deepfake and Synthetic Identity Fraud
Emerging technologies like deepfakes and synthetic identities are being used in sophisticated fraud schemes:

• Attackers might impersonate executives through video or audio to approve transactions.
• Fraudsters may construct false identities using a mix of real and fake data.

How to respond: Use multifactor authentication wherever possible. For critical approvals, verify identity via multiple trusted channels.

5. Endpoint Exploits in a Hybrid Work World
Today’s professionals rely on a mix of office and personal devices, and cybercriminals know it.

• Laptops and mobile phones can be vulnerable if they aren’t regularly patched or if unknown apps are installed.
• Public Wi-Fi and unsecured networks increase exposure.

Advice: Keep devices up to date, use mobile device security settings, and avoid accessing sensitive data on unsecured networks.

Staying Secure in 2025 and Beyond
Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern; it’s a fundamental part of doing business. In 2025, staying ahead of evolving threats requires a combination of smart technology, informed decision-making, and shared responsibility across every level of an organization.

The good news? Awareness is one of the most effective defenses.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing client relationships, or overseeing operations, staying alert to emerging risks and knowing how to respond can make all the difference. Simple actions like verifying requests, using strong authentication methods, and regularly reviewing access to sensitive information go a long way toward reducing exposure.

As the threat landscape evolves, so must our collective response. By staying informed and working together, we can all help protect the integrity, trust, and continuity of our businesses. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth a second look. Staying secure starts with staying aware.

Stay sharp,

Marco Galvan
Director of IT

Posted by Prospera Financial