The cybersecurity environment in 2025 reflects one of the most complex and fast-changing eras for digital systems. Organizations around the world are encountering a mix of emerging attack techniques, greater dependence on interconnected applications and expanding digital infrastructures. Insights from the 2025 Cyber Survey by Radware and Osterman Research indicate that security teams are being pushed to adapt at an unprecedented pace. When viewed alongside India’s record of 265 million cyberattacks reported in 2025, the survey results highlight how urgent and widespread the challenge has become (Times of India, 2025).
AI-Enabled Threats Reshaping Security Risks#
One of the most critical trends highlighted in the survey is the dramatic impact of artificial intelligence on the cyber threat landscape. Attackers are now using AI tools only to create malicious code. They also use it to automate reconnaissance tasks and tailor attacks to specific systems. Organizations participating in the study voiced significant concern that adversaries are improving their offensive capabilities faster than defenders can adjust their protections. Study noted growing apprehension about how quickly AI can assist threat actors in scanning for weaknesses, adjusting attack strategies and bypassing existing defences. This rapid evolution is prompting many organizations to explore or deploy AI-driven security solutions to counter increasingly automated threats.
Application Security Under Persistent Stress#
Digital applications are now central to business operations and the survey shows they are being targeted at high frequency. Enterprises are experiencing significant pressure as they face ongoing assaults such as automated bot traffic, unauthorized API interactions and malicious attempts to manipulate normal application behaviour. A particular concern is the increase in attacks that exploit how applications are designed to function. Instead of relying on software bugs, attackers are manipulating valid features such as payment processes, user flows or transaction logic to achieve harmful outcomes. Many organizations indicated that these attacks have become noticeably more common over the past year, suggesting a shift in how cybercriminals approach exploiting digital services.
Application Security Under Persistent Stress#
Digital applications are now central to business operations, and the survey shows they are being targeted at high frequency. Enterprises are experiencing significant pressure as they face ongoing assaults such as automated bot traffic, unauthorized API interactions and malicious attempts to manipulate normal application behaviour. A particular concern is the increase in attacks that exploit how applications are designed to function. Instead of relying on software bugs, attackers are manipulating valid features such as payment processes, user flows or transaction logic to achieve harmful outcomes. Many organizations indicated that these attacks have become noticeably more common over the past year, suggesting a shift in how cybercriminals approach exploiting digital services.
Growing API Ecosystems Creating New Security Gaps#
APIs have become the backbone of modern digital services, enabling rapid integration and continuous updates across systems. However, the survey findings indicate that this rapid pace of API expansion has made it difficult for organizations to maintain complete visibility and oversight. As development teams frequently modify or add new interfaces, security teams often struggle to track every change. One recurring issue is the presence of undocumented or overlooked APIs often referred to as “shadow APIs.” These interfaces can expose organizations to breaches if they are neither monitored nor protected. The lack of comprehensive documentation and real-time visibility makes it challenging to detect vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Third-Party Components Increasing Systemic Exposure#
Nearly all organizations today rely on third-party components such as external APIs, embedded scripts or outsourced service integrations to support digital operations. These elements bring efficiencies and expanded capabilities. They also introduce external risks that organizations cannot easily control. The study highlights that many respondents lack sufficient insight into how third-party code interacts with their own applications. Limited oversight makes it difficult to identify unexpected data flows, security gaps or potentially harmful behaviors introduced through external dependencies. These findings parallel several cyber incidents reported in India, where weaknesses in connected systems or external integrations contributed to major breaches.
Operational and Financial Impact of DDoS Attacks#
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks continue to cause significant operational disruption, particularly when attackers target application layers rather than network infrastructure. Participants in the survey described how service outages caused by these attacks can generate rapid and substantial financial losses, especially in industries where system availability is crucial. Sectors such as healthcare, financial services and public administration face heightened risks because downtime directly affects patient care, financial transactions or citizen services. India’s experience with DDoS-related service disruptions in 2025 further illustrates how these attacks continue to be leveraged to overwhelm organizations and erode public trust.
Conclusion#
The cybersecurity outlook for 2025 reflects a convergence of evolving threats, expanding digital infrastructures and uneven levels of organizational preparedness. AI-assisted attacks, the rapid growth of API-driven systems and increasing reliance on third-party integrations represent some of the most pressing challenges facing security teams today. Insights from the Radware–Osterman survey, combined with real-world incident data from India, demonstrate the need for stronger automation in defences continuous monitoring of application ecosystems and improved governance frameworks across APIs and third-party components. Building resilience in such an environment requires not only advanced technology but also well-integrated strategies across development, operations, and security teams
Reference#
1. Radware & Osterman Research PDF (Base Source)
Radware, & Osterman Research. (2025). 2025 Cyber Survey: Application Security at a Breaking Point.
https://www.radware.com
2. The Times of India Article (India’s 265 million Cyberattacks in 2025) Times of India Tech Desk. (2025, December 5). India records 265 million cyber attacks in 2025: Report.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/india-records-265-million-cyber-attacks-in-2025-report/articleshow/125772984.cms
Clear Cut Research Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Dec 13, 2025 09:00 IST
Written By: Ruchira Das
