Appsec Predictions for 2025 - Cody Scott - ASW #314
Jan 21, 2025
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Cody Scott, a Senior Analyst at Forrester and former chief cybersecurity risk officer at NASA, dives into the future of appsec in 2025. He shares five critical predictions, emphasizing the evolving role of AI in enhancing application security. The discussion highlights the urgent need for robust measures in IoT security, reflecting on a recent coordinated attack. Additionally, Scott addresses the implications of future cyber threats and how organizations must adapt to maintain security in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Cody Scott predicts a cautious reduction in Generative AI budgets by CISOs, reflecting concerns over its unproven benefits in cybersecurity.
The increasing integration of IoT devices presents significant vulnerabilities, necessitating urgent attention to their security within risk management strategies.
Future regulations may prohibit certain third-party or open-source software due to security fears, balancing innovation with the need for stringent compliance.
Deep dives
Historical Context of Cybersecurity Predictions
The podcast discusses how science fiction has historically predicted developments in cybersecurity, highlighting examples such as John Brunner's 1975 novel introducing the concept of computer worms and William Gibson's depiction of cyberspace in the 1980s. These early narratives illustrate the visions of interconnected devices and security threats long before their actual emergence. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding how past predictions shape current expectations and help frame future anticipations in cybersecurity. This exploration of history underscores the unique relationship between technology, literature, and the evolution of security challenges.
2025 Cybersecurity Predictions by Forrester
The focus of the podcast shifts to specific predictions for cybersecurity in 2025, articulated by analyst Cody Scott. One notable prediction is that CISOs will reduce their budget allocations for Generative AI in cybersecurity by 10%, as the anticipated quantifiable benefits of these technologies remain unproven. This trend highlights a cautious approach toward integrating new technologies, indicating a need for measurable returns on investment. The discussion also reflects broader concerns over the effectiveness and reliability of AI applications within security frameworks.
The Rise of IoT Vulnerabilities
A significant prediction made is that a major breach will arise from Internet of Things (IoT) devices, underscoring the increasing risks associated with this technology. As companies embed more IoT devices within their infrastructure, the potential for widespread vulnerabilities grows, leading to systemic impacts on organizational security. The discussion references an incident involving pagers in Lebanon, which was connected to a supply chain compromise, as a real-time example of these threats. This prediction stresses the urgent need for organizations to take IoT security seriously and incorporate it into their overall risk management strategies.
Government Regulations on Open Source Software
The conversation reveals a prediction that a Western government will take action to prohibit specific third-party or open-source software due to security concerns. This reflects the growing scrutiny over software supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly in the wake of incidents involving major breaches linked to such software. The implication of this prediction raises questions about the balance between security and innovation, particularly how regulation can impact the freedom and access associated with open-source projects. It also emphasizes the need for organizations to be prepared to adapt to potential regulatory changes while managing their compliance and security postures.
Prioritizing Privacy in Application Security
Within the context of evolving technologies, the need for privacy by design emerges as a critical topic of discussion. The growing reliance on generative AI in various applications brings forth concerns over data privacy and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information. The podcast notes recent events, such as the exploitation of data from platforms like Slack, highlighting the urgency for robust privacy measures in application development. As organizations increasingly incorporate AI tools, integrating comprehensive privacy protocols within the framework of application security becomes essential for maintaining user trust and regulatory compliance.
What’s in store for appsec in 2025? Sure, there'll be some XSS and SQL injection, but what about trends that might influence how appsec teams plan? Cody Scott shares five cybersecurity and privacy predictions and we take a deep dive into three of them. We talk about finding value to appsec from AI, why IoT and OT need both programmatic and technical changes, and what the implications of the next XZ Utils attack might be.
