Key takeaways from our 2025 State of Cybersecurity webinar

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity remains a critical concern for agencies and organizations worldwide. As we look towards 2025, the challenges and opportunities in the cybersecurity domain are more pronounced than ever, many of which are highlighted in CompTIA's State of Cybersecurity Report 2025.

Our recent webinar, moderated by Dr. Mardy Leathers, Principal and Founder of Hashtag Strategies featured insights from this report. The report was written by Seth Robinson, VP of Industry Research and Sean Manning of the Cyber Ops & Intel Program Area at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. The speakers delved into the findings, discussing the pressing issues, emerging trends, and strategic approaches necessary to navigate the complex cybersecurity environment.

Overall, the speakers recognized the importance of cybersecurity and the slow pace of implementing effective day-to-day practices. Despite the awareness of basic hygiene issues and advanced persistent threats, organizations struggle to bridge this gap and proactively address these challenges.

The ROI of cybersecurity

Organizations must not only have the confidence to tackle cybersecurity issues but also the resources to advocate for necessary investments. The traditional approach to calculating return on investment doesn't apply neatly to cybersecurity, making it imperative to communicate the value of these investments in terms of risk mitigation and capacity building.

How to approach procurement and risk management

Critical infrastructure, such as water, rail, and transit systems, remains vulnerable, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and adaptation to evolving threats. As operational technology becomes more integrated into everyday operations, the scope of potential threats expands, necessitating a strategic approach to procurement and risk management.

Prioritizing cybersecurity budgets

Cybersecurity budgets are increasingly compressed, requiring a careful allocation of resources and integration into broader risk management discussions. The emergence of skills in data security, application security, and network security highlights the need for robust team construction and skills development pipelines.

Top technical skills in cybersecurity

The emerging skills in cybersecurity are data security and application security, in addition to the traditional focus on network security, largely due to the erosion of the secure perimeter. Companies are now prioritizing the construction of well-rounded cyber teams and are actively working to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to meet these evolving demands.

Incorporating AI into cybersecurity

The integration of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity is not straightforward. Organizations must consider the complexities and costs associated with AI implementation, including data training and feedback mechanisms. It's also important to recognize that cybersecurity professionals have internal and external concerns regarding AI.

The ideal cyber state

Achieving an ideal cybersecurity state involves addressing multiple facets, including compliance, regulations, and technology. Organizations must segment their approach, define clear key performance indicators (KPIs), and build a workforce equipped to tackle future challenges.

The 2025 State of Cybersecurity Report webinar provided valuable insights into the current and future landscape of cybersecurity. As agencies and organizations strive to bridge gaps, make strategic investments, and develop essential skills, a proactive and comprehensive approach is crucial. By addressing these challenges head-on, agencies can better position themselves to protect assets and ensure a secure digital future. You can watch the webinar in full right here:

You can find the 2025 State of Cybersecurity Report here