AI's Security Time Bomb: BeyondTrust Forecasts a Decade of Identity-Driven Cybersecurity

By Carol Moore, AI in Healthcare: Innovation & Implementation

Atlanta, GA – October 30, 2025 – The relentless march of artificial intelligence is poised to reshape cybersecurity as dramatically as it’s transforming healthcare, finance, and nearly every other sector. But with convenience and efficiency gains come escalating risks. That's the core message from BeyondTrust, a global leader in identity security, who today released its annual predictions for the cybersecurity landscape over the next decade.

BeyondTrust’s report, built on insights from its Chief Security Advisor, Chief Security Strategist, and Field CTO, paints a picture of a rapidly evolving threat landscape where AI isn’t just used by attackers, but is becoming the attack surface itself. The company’s forecast isn’t one of doom and gloom, but a stark warning: organizations must prioritize identity security now to navigate a future defined by increasingly sophisticated and autonomous cyber threats.

The Rise of the Agentic AI Threat

The report highlights a particularly concerning trend: the emergence of “agentic AI” – autonomous systems capable of independently pursuing goals. While offering tremendous potential, these AI systems also introduce new vulnerabilities. “We’re moving beyond AI simply automating tasks to AI making decisions without human intervention,” explains a security consultant familiar with BeyondTrust's research. “That autonomy, while beneficial in many ways, creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit these systems, potentially launching sophisticated attacks we haven’t even considered yet.”

This isn’t just theoretical. Experts predict agentic AI could be leveraged for highly targeted phishing campaigns, creating deepfake-driven social engineering attacks, or even autonomously spreading malware. The very nature of these systems—designed to learn and adapt—makes traditional security measures less effective. “The old model of ‘detect and respond’ isn’t sufficient,” adds the consultant. “We need to focus on preventing malicious AI from gaining access and control in the first place.”

Identity as the New Perimeter

BeyondTrust’s forecast isn’t solely focused on the threat of AI. The company stresses that identity security – ensuring the right people (and AI systems) have the right access to the right resources) – will be the defining characteristic of cybersecurity success over the next decade.

“Passwords are becoming increasingly obsolete,” says a security analyst. “We’re reaching a point where traditional authentication methods simply can’t keep pace with the sophistication of modern attacks.” The report champions a shift toward more robust, multi-factor authentication methods, including biometrics and continuous identity verification.

BeyondTrust predicts a surge in the adoption of biometric authentication, ranging from facial recognition to behavioral biometrics (analyzing how users interact with devices). However, this shift isn't without challenges. “Accuracy and preventing spoofing are crucial,” notes the analyst. “Organizations need to carefully evaluate the security and privacy implications of these technologies before deploying them.”

Navigating Digital Sovereignty & Geopolitical Risk

The report doesn’t shy away from the growing influence of geopolitics on cybersecurity. Governments worldwide are increasingly enacting data localization laws and digital tariffs, creating a fragmented and complex regulatory landscape.

“Organizations operating globally face a growing challenge: complying with a patchwork of different regulations,” explains a policy expert familiar with the report. “This requires a proactive approach to compliance, combined with robust data security measures.” BeyondTrust advocates for a unified platform approach to identity security, allowing organizations to centrally manage access controls and enforce policies across all environments.

The ‘AI Vegan’ Movement & Ethical Considerations

Interestingly, BeyondTrust’s researchers also identified a nascent, yet potentially significant, trend: a growing movement of “AI vegans” – individuals advocating for minimal AI usage due to ethical concerns. While still a niche group, this movement reflects a broader societal unease with the potential consequences of unchecked AI development.

“This isn't just about privacy,” says a researcher studying the societal impact of AI. “It's about fundamental questions of control, autonomy, and the potential for AI to exacerbate existing inequalities.” While the