Agentic AI Will Revolutionize Cybercrime in 2025 According to New Report

Malwarebytes, a provider in real-time cyber protection, recently released its 2025 State of Malware report, which reveals insight into the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), plus the year’s most prominent threats and cybercrime tactics. The report details a significant uptick in the number of known ransomware attacks, the total value of ransoms paid in 2024, and how IT teams can address them.

“Our research shows that ransomware will continue to be a potent threat to businesses this year,” said Marcin Kleczynski, Founder and CEO, Malwarebytes. “The shift from large ransomware groups to smaller, unpredictable threat actors, combined with the increasing role of AI, means businesses must increase their cybersecurity vigilance and make holistic endpoint security a priority.”

Emerging agentic AI models—which can reason, plan, and act autonomously—will further revolutionize cybercriminal tactics, making attacks more scalable and efficient in 2025. Just as businesses are beginning to explore AI for productivity and security, cybercriminals are leveraging it to improve phishing campaigns, evade detection, and fine-tune attacks. This marks a turning point: the arms race between AI-powered attackers and AI-enhanced cybersecurity tools is rapidly escalating, forcing businesses to rethink traditional defense strategies. With AI rapidly evolving, security teams must integrate AI-driven threat detection and response to keep up and counteract the increasing speed and sophistication of AI-driven cyberattacks.

Known ransomware attacks increased by 13% year-over-year, despite two of the most prominent ransomware groups, LockBit and ALPHV, losing their supremacy. This can be attributed to the rise of smaller, less well-known “dark horse” ransomware gangs posing threats to small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, 2024 saw the largest known ransomware payment ever recorded when an unknown victim paid $75 million into a crypto wallet.

“If 2024 has taught us anything, it’s that ransomware purveyors aren’t resting on their laurels,” said Lee Wei, SVP, Customer & Product, Corporate Unit at Malwarebytes. “The full attack cycle has gone from weeks to hours and in some cases minutes. Organizations need eyes on their endpoints 24/7 to stay on top of threats and that often means deploying managed services, like Managed Detection and Response (MDR) that can assist teams in filling the gaps.” To read the full report, visit http://threatdown.com/2025-State-of-Malware.

Featured

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

  • Report: Cyber Attackers Continue to Turn to AI-Based Tools to Avoid Detection

    Comcast Business recently released its 2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report, a comprehensive analysis of 34.6 billion cybersecurity events detected between June 1,2024 and May 31, 2025. Now in its third year, the report offers business leaders a unique perspective into the evolving threat landscape and provides actionable insights to help organizations strengthen their defenses and align cybersecurity with business risk. Read Now

  • Axis Communications Creates AI-powered Video Surveillance Orchestra

    What if cameras could not only see the world, but interpret it—and respond like orchestra musicians reading sheet music: instantly, precisely, and in perfect harmony? That’s what global network technology leader Axis Communications set to find out. Read Now

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.