Netwrix released new data from its 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report showing that AI has become a dominant force in both cyberattacks and defense strategies. More than one in three organizations (37%) confirmed that AI-driven attacks forced them to adapt their security approach in the past year, highlighting the rapid evolution of threats powered by artificial intelligence.
The speed and sophistication of identity-based attacks have reached new levels in 2025. Microsoft data cited in the report shows identity threats surged 32% in the first half of the year, with over 97% involving password compromise. Attackers are leveraging AI to automate credential stuffing, phishing, and brute-force campaigns at unprecedented scale.
"Microsoft reported that identity-based threats surged by 32% in the first half of 2025, with over 97% of those attacks relying on password compromise," said Grady Summers, CEO of Netwrix. "AI is amplifying the speed, scale, and sophistication of such attacks, but it's also helping defenders neutralize threats faster than ever before. In this AI arms race between attackers and defenders, the organizations that stay ahead will be those that can rapidly identify and eliminate identity and data risks using AI-powered solutions that help their teams move faster and with more precision."
Regulators and auditors are responding to the risks. Nearly one-third (29%) of respondents say auditors now explicitly require evidence of data security and privacy controls specifically for AI systems – a clear sign that compliance frameworks are expanding to cover artificial intelligence deployments.
Chronic understaffing remains a top challenge for security teams, but AI is starting to provide relief. 20% of organizations have already offloaded routine IT and security workloads to AI, while 28% credit AI-powered tools with removing manual effort and guesswork from threat detection and remediation.
"The long-standing challenge of understaffed security teams has become even more pressing as AI increases the efficiency and volume of cyberattacks," said Jeff Warren, Chief Product Officer at Netwrix. "At the same time, AI can also help close the talent gap. Already security solutions powered by AI are enabling security teams to identify and remediate threats, eliminating guesswork and manual effort."
The surge in adoption intent is striking: the share of organizations placing AI-based security tools in their top-five IT priorities jumped 189% in just two years, from 9% in 2023 to 26% in 2025.
As AI continues to redefine cybersecurity, organizations that proactively integrate AI-driven identity and data protection solutions position themselves to stay ahead of both threats and compliance demands.
About Netwrix
Netwrix's vision is to create a world where every organization has secured its data and identities. The 1Secure™ platform unifies identity and data security to provide complete visibility into where data lives, who can access it, and how it's governed. With Netwrix, security teams strengthen data protection, safeguard identities, and stay ahead of evolving threats. Today, more than 13,000 customers, including nearly 25% of the Fortune 500, rely on Netwrix solutions across hybrid and AI-driven environments. With a 95% customer satisfaction rating, Netwrix offers flexible delivery models that are quick to deploy, easy to use, and built to scale for organizations of all sizes.
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