The Fortinet Global Threat Landscape Report 2025 paints a sobering picture of a digital battlefield where attackers are outpacing defenders. The report highlights how automation, AI, and industrialized cybercrime have dramatically reduced the time between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation. In 2024 alone, active reconnaissance increased by 16.7%, with over 36,000 scans per second targeting exposed services, including SIP, RDP, and IoT protocols. This reflects an alarming acceleration in the speed at which attackers identify and exploit weaknesses.
The Rise of AI-Powered Crime
AI has emerged as a powerful weapon in the cybercriminal toolkit. Tools like FraudGPT, BlackmailerV3, and ElevenLabs are being used to create deepfakes, phishing websites, and synthetic voices—making attacks more convincing and scalable. Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS) ecosystems are booming, enabling even low-skilled actors to buy ready-made malware, stolen credentials, and corporate access. FortiGuard Labs found a 42% rise in compromised credentials for sale and a 500% increase in infostealer activity, led by tools such as Redline and Vidar.
Cloud and IoT: The New Frontlines
The cloud remains a prime target, with attackers exploiting misconfigurations, open APIs, and identity abuse. In 70% of cloud compromises, adversaries logged in from unfamiliar geographies. Meanwhile, IoT exploitation is rampant—routers, cameras, and firewalls are frequently hijacked for use in botnets and to establish persistent access. Asia-Pacific emerged as the most targeted region, accounting for 42% of global exploitation attempts.
Ransomware and Hacktivism Blur Lines
The ransomware ecosystem remains fragmented but potent. Thirteen new ransomware groups emerged in 2024, led by RansomHub, LockBit 3.0, and Play, which together accounted for over a third of all attacks. Alarmingly, hacktivists are now adopting ransomware tactics, merging ideological motives with financial gain. Telegram remains their favored hub for coordination.
From Defense to Exposure Management
Fortinet’s key takeaway is clear: static defenses are no longer enough. The report urges organizations to adopt Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) — emphasizing proactive exposure monitoring, real-world adversary simulations, and automated defense. In an era where cyberattacks evolve at machine speed, defenders must act faster, think smarter, and anticipate the next move before it happens.
