2025 Technology Trends: Key Predictions for a More Secure Future

After a busy 2024 and an accelerated shift toward agile working, I have been looking ahead with the Buchanan Technology team at at the developments that will shape the technology industry in 2025. In this article, we outline our predictions for the coming year and explain how these trends could impact your business. 

Prediction #1. Cybersecurity will continue to be a focus for Small Businesses   

Small businesses will continue to strengthen their cybersecurity measures to protect teams whether they’re in the office, on the move, or working from home. As cybercriminals increasingly target smaller enterprises, it is essential for companies to educate their staff and secure all devices—regardless of who owns them. This might involve installing work tools on personal devices to add an additional layer of protection, so clear communication with employees is key to maintaining a trusted environment. This also has the added benefit of free protection for users home activities. 

Prediction #2. Rise of Zero Trust policies

The past few years have seen a significant rise in the adoption of Zero Trust policies. This strategic approach requires devices to continuously verify their connection to company networks, no matter where they are located. With Zero Trust security becoming more viable and cost-effective, businesses can now better protect their internal systems, even when employees are working remotely or accessing public Wi-Fi networks. 

Prediction #3. Vendor IT security policies will come under scrutiny   

In 2025, there will be heightened scrutiny of the IT security policies of vendors. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting vendors and partners, which means that companies—especially those in regulated sectors like financial services and wealth management—must be extra vigilant. Clients should demand greater transparency regarding how their vendors safeguard data. Attackers can lurk undetected on vendor systems, waiting for the right moment to change invoice details or banking information, ultimately aiming to compromise company data and funds. 

Prediction #4. Increased adoption of the Cyber Essentials Certification   

Awareness of the UK government’s Cyber Essentials certification is set to grow in 2025. This certification outlines a fundamental set of guidelines to secure your business, employees, and clients. We recommend considering Cyber Essentials as a prerequisite for working with vendors. Buchanan Technology is here to support businesses through every step of the Cyber Essentials application process, including the preparation of the necessary documentation related to technology processes. 

Prediction #5. Employee education on cybersecurity trends will increase 

Ongoing employee education remains a critical component of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Although nearly 60% of small to medium businesses have proactively updated their cybersecurity infrastructure in the past year, more than half still experience breaches. With phishing and credential theft remaining common threats, regular training sessions are essential to help employees recognize and respond to potential risks effectively. 

Prediction #6. Increased costs of infrastructure   

Rising energy and property costs are impacting the technology sector, leading to increased subscription and licensing fees. As more businesses rely on cloud-based services, these cost pressures are becoming more evident. For example, Microsoft has already announced a roughly 20% price increase for 2025—one of its largest year-on-year hikes to date. Companies should prepare for similar cost escalations across other technological services, and are urged to perform cost-comparisons between cloud providers and on-premise solutions 

In Summary   

Our predictions for 2025 focus on three main areas: enhancing cybersecurity for all users (both at work and at home), increasing vigilance regarding vendor IT security policies, and the growing importance of government-backed certifications like Cyber Essentials. These trends underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, combining practical in-house measures with expert external support. 

If you are interested to know how Buchanan Technology can help you to increase your cybersecurity capabilities, please get in touch or visit our website for more information.