The solution? Staying open to new approaches, technologies and trends. Here are the five most important developments that companies should have on their radar between now and 2025 – plus a bonus trend that won’t leave anyone cold.
1. OSINT: The world outside the walls
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is no longer a vision of the future – it’s the present, and it’s becoming increasingly relevant. In a world where threats are no longer just ‘on the inside’, it’s not enough to focus on your own systems or premises.
Activists who coordinate via social media, regional conflicts that jeopardise locations or cyber criminals who auction data on the darknet – these risks often arise outside a company’s direct sphere of influence. The question is: how do you recognise these dangers in good time?
This is where OSINT comes into play. Providers such as Recorded Future or Skopenow show how publicly available data can become a powerful tool – whether for monitoring social dynamics, geopolitical developments or potential cyber threats.
Why important:
- Early warning systems for protests, unrest or shitstorms.
- Transparency for regional and global risks.
- Recognising data leaks or potential attacks on the darknet.
What to do?
Companies should integrate OSINT into their security strategy – either through specialised providers or their own teams of analysts working with modern tools.
2. Robotics: the new security forces
Staff shortages are not just a problem in IT departments – plant security and security services are also struggling. The solution? Robots.
Autonomous robots patrol sites, monitor buildings or analyse video data – faster, more efficiently and often cheaper than human security guards. With the rapid development of AI, these robots are now more than just moving surveillance cameras: they can react actively, recognise suspicious behaviour and even defuse dangerous situations.
Application examples:
- Mobile patrols: Robots such as those from Ascento patrol independently and report anomalies.
- Hazard detection: Robots with sensors and cameras take on tasks in risky environments, for example in the event of fires or chemical accidents.
- Round-the-clock operation: robots work tirelessly and are often cheaper than shifts of security staff.
Why it matters:
The market for security robots is growing – and companies that are early adopters of this technology are saving costs and increasing efficiency. The challenge remains to integrate these systems seamlessly into existing security infrastructures.
3. Zero trust: trust was yesterday
‘Trust is good, control is better.’ This adage gets to the heart of Zero Trust – an approach to security that assumes that no one can be trusted.Whether it’s employees, external partners or devices in the network – every access must be authenticated and monitored.
Zero trust is no longer a trend, but a basic requirement for dealing with cyber threats. Zero Trust is becoming the baseline, especially in hybrid working models or multi-cloud environments.
How it works:
- Strict authentication: Only authorised users and devices are granted access.
- Micro-segmentation: Every system, every department, every application is isolated – an attack does not spread.
- AI support: Intelligent systems continuously analyse user behaviour and detect anomalies in real time.
Conclusion:
Old network security models are no longer effective. Companies that do not invest in Zero Trust risk becoming the next victim of a large-scale attack.
4. deep fake identification: protecting facts
Sometimes it seems like science fiction, but deep fakes have long been a reality. The ability to manipulate videos, audio files and images so that they look deceptively real opens the floodgates to fraudsters and criminals.
Why deep fakes are dangerous:
- CEO fraud: Fake videos or audio recordings of executives could mislead employees into committing serious offences.
- Reputational risks: A deep fake that shows false statements or actions by a company could cause massive damage.
- Disinformation: Manipulating public opinion – whether in elections or in business – is becoming increasingly easy.
Solutions:
- AI tools such as Beyond Identity or Resemble AI help to identify counterfeit content.
- In future, blockchain technologies could verify the authenticity of videos and other media by creating digital signatures.
Conclusion:
Deep fakes are not only a technical challenge, but also a strategic one. Companies cannot rely on tools alone – the right mix of technology, trained teams and clear response processes is crucial.
5. Supply chain security: the invisible risks
Supply chains are the lifelines of modern companies – but also a massive risk. Major attacks such as the one on SolarWinds have shown that cyber threats often enter a company via third-party providers. But supply chains can also cause massive security problems in the physical world, for example through theft, sabotage or a lack of transparency.
Why supply chains are vulnerable:
- Many third-party providers have weak security measures.
- Non-transparent processes make it difficult to identify vulnerabilities.
- Complex supply chains make monitoring more difficult.
What companies can do:
- Real-time monitoring of the entire supply chain through IoT and blockchain technologies.
- Stricter contracts and audits to check the security standards of partners.
- Invest in technologies that promote transparency and traceability
Conclusion:
Supply chain security is not just a cyber issue, but also concerns physical security – from transport routes to warehouses. Anyone who ignores weaknesses here is taking a big risk.
Looking to the future
The security world has changed.Old concepts such as ‘castle walls’ no longer offer protection at a time when threats are complex, global and often invisible.
Companies need new answers: flexible, forward-looking and technologically supported. Those who act now not only ensure the protection of their assets, but also create the basis for resilience in an uncertain world.
It’s time to rethink security.Once again…
