As we pass the midpoint of 2025 and start to look towards what the next year could bring, one thing is certain: the cybersecurity environment continues to change at a dizzying pace. While technological advancements bring opportunities, they also present new vulnerabilities for businesses to manage. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cybercriminal activities has intensified the sophistication of threats, with face and voice imitation now more convincing than ever. In this article, we look at some of the main threats to keep an eye on, and what you can do about them:
One of the biggest impacts on the IT security landscape in 2025 has been the growing use of AI in cyberattacks. Businesses now have to oversee not just human operators, but also contend with the threat from ‘intelligent’ software viruses, algorithms, and deceptions. Today, cybercriminals leverage AI not just for speed and scale, but also to engineer attacks that are more convincing, harder to detect, and increasingly personalised.
The widespread use of generative AI to create scam emails, bogus websites, and social media messages is well known. However, one of the most concerning and least understood advancements is the rise of deepfake technology in cybercrime. Algorithms can now generate audio and video that are virtually indistinguishable from real people. This allows attackers to impersonate business leaders or staff—using forged voices and likenesses to authorise financial transactions or share sensitive information. In 2024, a high-profile Hong Kong case saw fraudsters use AI-generated voice clones to convince a bank employee to transfer over US $25 million.
Spear-phishing campaigns have also become more dangerous with AI involvement. Threat actors utilise large language models (LLMs) to craft highly tailored phishing emails, drawing on public information scraped from social media and company websites. These emails mimic the writing style, signature, and context of genuine internal communications, making them significantly harder for recipients to identify as fraudulent.
Real-time voice synthesis is another emerging threat. Criminals can now create live, interactive phone calls that replicate the voice patterns, intonation, and even the hesitation of real individuals. A report from McAfee in 2024, dubbed Project Mockingbird, highlighted the accessibility of these tools, with voice cloning technology available online for less than £10 and requiring only a short audio sample to create a convincing duplicate.
Worryingly, the barrier to entry for using these AI tools is also dropping rapidly. Open-source deepfake codebases, intuitive text-to-speech platforms, and image or video manipulation tools are now easy to obtain on the dark web or even through legitimate channels —even for users with limited technical skills. This democratisation of AI-driven attack tools has contributed to the steep rise in social engineering campaigns and impersonation fraud across the UK and globally.
It’s important not to become paranoid about the fraudulent use of AI – these techniques are by no means infallible or universally successful. However, as software technologies continue to advance, businesses cannot afford to rely solely on legacy defences. Robust verification processes, employee education, and AI-powered threat detection are now essential components of a proactive cybersecurity strategy.
For example, regular audits are an essential way to identify vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. Annual—or even more frequent—audits allow you to stay updated on the latest threats and implement fixes promptly. Whether it’s reinforcing email security or fortifying access controls, staying on the ball is key. The sophistication of modern threats may also necessitate a return to traditional communication methods for high-stakes interactions. For example, moving critical conversations to in-person meetings or secure phone lines can reduce the risk of interception or manipulation.
2026 promises both challenges and opportunities in the world of cybersecurity. While advances like AI have made attacks more sophisticated, businesses that stay prepared, vigilant, and proactive stand a better chance of staying secure. By building a layered defence strategy, supported by regular audits and trusted partners like Vantage IT, small businesses can protect themselves against both traditional and emerging threats. For more information or to request a quote, please contact one of our team today by clicking here.
Image source: Canva
30/03/2026
