The 2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report reveals a significant escalation in cyber threats, with China's cyber espionage surging by 150% and GenAI-powered social engineering attacks increasing by 442%. The report is based on CrowdStrike's tracking of over 250 named adversaries and 140 emerging activity clusters.
China-nexus adversaries have escalated state-sponsored cyber operations, with targeted attacks in financial services, media, manufacturing, and industrial sectors soaring up to 300%. Additionally, AI-driven phishing and impersonation tactics have fueled a significant increase in voice phishing (vishing).
The report also highlights the growing trend of malware-free attacks, with 79% of attacks to gain initial access now malware-free. Adversaries are exploiting compromised credentials to infiltrate systems, making it essential for organizations to rethink their approach to security.
The CrowdStrike report emphasizes the need for organizations to leverage real-time intelligence, threat hunting, and a unified platform to eliminate blind spots and stop breaches. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for organizations to stay ahead of emerging threats and adapt their security strategies accordingly.
