VikingCloud, a leader in Predict-to-Prevent cybersecurity and compliance, has released new research showing that nearly four out of five cybersecurity executives fear their organizations could be targeted by a nation-state attack within the next 12 months.

The 2025 Cyber Threat Landscape Report: Cyber Risks, Opportunities, & Resilience, which surveyed 200 senior security professionals across the U.S., U.K., and Ireland, highlights the escalating challenges security teams are facing. Alongside rising geopolitical tensions, concerns are mounting about potential funding cuts to U.S. cybersecurity programs such as CISA and the NSA. According to the study, 76% of leaders believe these reductions could heighten their organization’s vulnerability.

Growing Wave of Cyberattacks

The report confirms that cyberattacks are both more frequent and more damaging.

  • 71% of respondents say the number of attacks has increased in the past year.
  • 61% report that the severity of incidents is worse than before.
  • Nearly 59% say their organizations experienced at least one successful breach.

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Artificial intelligence is a major factor behind this surge. More than half (58%) of those who experienced incidents believe AI-powered tools were leveraged by attackers.

“Cyberattacks are no longer just frequent—they’re increasingly sophisticated, costly, and harder to defend against,” said Kevin Pierce, President and COO of VikingCloud. “AI is reshaping the threat landscape, while geopolitical uncertainty is fueling a rise in advanced nation-state activity. Companies must invest in skills, tools, and training to keep pace, or risk being left exposed.”

Key Findings from the Report

  • AI-Driven Threats Outpace Defenses: 68% of companies admit they lack strong confidence in detecting or responding to AI-enabled threats in real time. Deepfake-related risks have surged over sixfold year-over-year.
  • Leadership Alarm Over AI Phishing: Generative and agentic AI–powered phishing is now the top concern for leadership teams—a 132% increase from last year.
  • Insider Risks: 36% of leaders acknowledge that more than a quarter of their recent cyber incidents originated from insiders, whether through mistakes or malicious intent.
  • Underreporting Remains High: 48% of executives say they did not disclose a material breach to their board or leadership in the past year, with 86% failing to report multiple incidents. Fear of punitive responses (40%) and concerns over reputational or regulatory fallout (44%) were leading reasons for silence.

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How Teams Are Responding

Despite the pressures, organizations are not standing still. Cyber leaders are ramping up investment in training and resources:

  • 51% increased general security and awareness programs in the past year, up sharply from 2024.
  • 43% offered training focused on generative and agentic AI threats.
  • 33% boosted cybersecurity budgets, a nearly fivefold jump compared to last year.

Most organizations are also adopting AI defensively. 96% are already using AI to automate routine security tasks, allowing teams to redirect time toward advanced threat hunting (44%), specialized upskilling (43%), and risk management or compliance initiatives (36%).

“Cybersecurity leaders are shifting from a reactive stance to proactive resilience,” Pierce added. “This evolution will define the next era of cyber defense.”

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