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Nov 14, 2024

Securing Critical Infrastructure and the Importance of Partnerships (SLED)

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This blog is part of the 2025 Cyber Predictions blog series where Armis Experts share their thoughts on trends and technologies shaping the future of cybersecurity.
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As 2024 nears its end, it’s time to look forward to 2025 and evaluate the advancements in cybersecurity made by the public sector, especially state and local government agencies, and educational institutions (SLED). This year has seen notable developments, including New York State’s ongoing enhancement of its cybersecurity strategy and increased security funding and in California, a pioneering initiative has been introduced with the establishment of the California Cybersecurity Integration Center (Cal-CSIC), designed to enhance the state’s cybersecurity posture by fostering collaboration. The education sector has also been making strides in implementing stronger cybersecurity measures as seen with the US Department of Education’s recent proposal for new regulations to protect student data privacy.

Despite these positive developments, there is still much work to be done in order to strengthen cybersecurity defenses and protect critical data and infrastructure. With the constant evolution of technology and methods used by cybercriminals, it is vital that SLED agencies and educational institutions stay ahead of the game in 2025 by constantly innovating and adapting their cybersecurity strategies.

At a glance:
  • Increasing collaboration and partnerships: between education, state, local, and federal agencies, as well as with private sector experts, will enhance cybersecurity capabilities and promote a shared understanding of threats and coordinated responses.
  • Emphasizing AI-driven technologies, whole-of-state strategies, and securing critical infrastructure will be critical for defending against sophisticated cyber threats.
  • Privacy regulations, enhanced data protection measures, and the expansion of cybersecurity insurance will shape cybersecurity practices, driving organizations to improve their security postures and manage risks effectively.

The Rise of AI-powered Attacks

One major trend that is expected to continue into 2025 is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cyber attacks in SLED. AI-powered attacks, such as deepfake technology, automated phishing campaigns and AI-driven malware, are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using machine learning algorithms to evade traditional security measures. In 2025, a notable AI-driven cyber attack occurred on a large university within the SLED community. Cybercriminals deployed an AI-based phishing campaign that targeted faculty and staff by creating highly personalized emails crafted with machine learning algorithms. These emails mimicked official university communications, making it difficult for recipients to discern their legitimacy. Once opened, the emails directed users to a convincing replica of the university’s login portal, where they were tricked into revealing their credentials. This breach resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive student data and administrative systems, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced AI-focused cybersecurity measures in educational institutions.

This trend is expected to continue as AI technology becomes more accessible and affordable, making it easier for cybercriminals to deploy attacks.

To combat this threat, State and local agencies and educational institutions must invest in AI-powered defense mechanisms themselves. This could include using AI-based tools for threat detection and real-time incident response, as well as implementing AI-driven training programs for employees to better identify and respond to potential threats.

AI-Driven Technologies Will Become Essential

AI offers immense promise for cybersecurity and allows state and local agencies and education institutions the opportunity to fight fire with fire. In 2025, AI-driven technologies will become indispensable tools. These technologies will enable better management of expanded attack surfaces and provide enhanced capabilities to defend against sophisticated threats. AI-powered cyber exposure management solutions will help organizations understand their environments, prioritize risk-based alerts, and improve operational efficiency. This will be crucial in countering the rise of AI-powered attacks by malicious actors.

The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity Partnerships

Another trend that is expected to continue into 2025 is the need for strong partnerships between SLED agencies and educational institutions with cybersecurity experts in the private sector. With limited resources and expertise, these institutions must rely on outside support to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities.

Partnerships with private sector organizations can provide valuable insights, training, and assistance in implementing cutting-edge technologies and strategies. In addition, through collaboration and information sharing, both parties can benefit from a wider understanding of emerging threats and more effective incident response capabilities.

Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Strategies Will Continue to Gain Traction

In 2025, expect to see an increased emphasis on adopting whole-of-state cybersecurity strategies. This approach aims to strengthen defenses at every level by breaking down silos and fostering collaboration among state and local governments and educational institutions. By sharing resources and information, these entities can enhance their collective cybersecurity posture. The focus on whole-of-state strategies will drive widespread adoption across the entire ecosystem, including public and private organizations. As a result, this collaboration will be critical in staying ahead of evolving cyber threats and protecting sensitive data.

Securing Critical Infrastructure Will Be Paramount

Securing critical infrastructure will be one of the most pressing priorities for 2025 across all public sector entities. With dependencies on critical infrastructure, the threat of cyberattacks looms large. Attacks against infrastructure can cause significant damage, disrupt governmental processes, and erode public trust. It is crucial for security and IT professionals to adopt a comprehensive approach to protect critical infrastructure and mitigate potential risks.

In 2025, securing critical infrastructure within state and local governments and educational institutions will involve implementing advanced technology and strategic partnerships. One key prediction is the increased use of blockchain technology to ensure the integrity and transparency of critical data exchanges. Blockchain can provide decentralized security measures, reducing the reliance on single points of failure and making it harder for cyber adversaries to execute successful attacks. Additionally, the deployment of comprehensive intrusion detection systems (IDS) will become more prevalent, offering real-time monitoring and alert systems to swiftly identify and respond to potential threats.

Critical infrastructure in this sector spans various domains, including power grids, water treatment facilities, transportation networks, and educational IT systems. For example, securing the power grid involves protecting high-voltage transmission lines and control systems from cyber intrusions that could lead to widespread outages. Similarly, in educational institutions, safeguarding IT systems is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to student records and curriculum delivery platforms. By fortifying these areas through innovative technology and collaboration between public and private entities, the resilience of such essential infrastructure can be significantly enhanced.

Enhanced Collaboration with Federal Agencies

Increased collaboration between state, local, and federal agencies will be a hallmark of 2025. The shared goal of bolstering national cybersecurity requires a concerted effort across all levels of government. Expect to see improved communication channels, shared intelligence, and coordinated responses to cyber threats. This collaborative approach will enable a more synchronized defense against nation-state attacks and cybercriminal enterprises targeting public sector entities.

As SLED agencies and educational institutions strive to enhance their cybersecurity measures, learning from federal initiatives such as FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is invaluable. FedRAMP sets a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and monitoring of cloud services that can serve as a benchmark for all levels of government. By adopting similar frameworks, SLED institutions can streamline their security processes and increase their resilience against cyber threats. Additionally, continuing to embrace StateRAMP—a state-focused counterpart to FedRAMP—provides an opportunity for these entities to ensure robust compliance with widely recognized cybersecurity standards. This approach facilitates greater trust in cloud services used by state and local governments, resulting in improved data security and reliability for both agencies and the communities they serve.

Privacy Regulations Will Shape Cybersecurity Practices

As privacy regulations tighten, compliance will shape cybersecurity practices within SLED organizations. Adhering to laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and emerging state-level privacy laws will be vital. In 2025, data protection and privacy policies will become integrated into the fabric of cybersecurity strategies. Organizations will need to establish strong data governance practices, focusing on transparency and user consent to manage personal information responsibly.

Expansion of Cybersecurity Insurance

The complexity and unpredictability of cyber threats will lead to an expansion in cybersecurity insurance policies in 2025. As organizations recognize the financial risks associated with cybersecurity incidents, they will seek comprehensive coverage to mitigate potential losses. This will also push insurers towards demanding stronger security postures from clients, thus indirectly improving overall cybersecurity standards across agencies.

Early Warning Threat Intelligence

In 2025, SLED organizations will increasingly rely on actionable threat intelligence to stay ahead of cyber adversaries. Tailoring threat intelligence to specific organizational contexts will enable entities to anticipate and neutralize specific attack vectors more effectively. Advanced threat intelligence platforms will offer contextual insights, helping agencies identify vulnerabilities and prioritize their defensive measures accordingly.

The Continued Need for Strong Data Protection

In 2025, the amount of sensitive data held by SLED agencies and educational institutions is only going to increase. With remote learning becoming more prevalent in education and the shift towards digital government services in state and local agencies, the need to protect personal data is more important than ever. In addition, as more internet-connected devices are used in schools and government offices for various purposes, the risk of cyber attacks also increases.

To address this ongoing challenge, SLED agencies and educational institutions must prioritize strong data protection measures. This includes implementing encryption protocols, regularly backing up data, and enforcing strict access control policies. Furthermore, regular employee training on data protection best practices should be conducted to ensure all staff members understand their role in safeguarding sensitive information.

Strengthening Supply Chain Security

Attention will turn towards securing the supply chains of SLED organizations in 2025. Recognizing that third-party vendors can introduce significant vulnerabilities, there will be a concerted effort to vet these partners more stringently. Strategies will include conducting thorough risk assessments, implementing vendor management protocols, and requiring increased transparency and security standards from all supply chain participants.

Conclusion

Without a crystal ball, predicting the future with absolute certainty is impossible. However, the threat landscape continues to evolve, SLED organizations must enhance their cybersecurity posture. Progress has been made, but there is still much work to be done. By leveraging technology and partnerships, security and IT pros can build upon the momentum to safeguard critical assets and ensure a resilient digital future.

Let’s remain vigilant and proactive as we navigate the complexities of cybersecurity in 2025. Together, we can fortify our defenses and create a safer world for all.  So, don’t be afraid to embrace change and continue learning about the latest trends and best practices in cybersecurity. It’s crucial for the safety and security of our communities and institutions.

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