Thales Report Highlights AI and Quantum Threats as Top Security Priorities in 2025

The latest 2025 Data Threat Report from cybersecurity leader Thales reveals that AI and quantum computing risks have surged to the forefront of organizational security concerns. As companies grapple with the rapid rise of generative AI and looming quantum threats, data security strategies are being reshaped to meet these emerging challenges.

AI Security Concerns Accelerate

Nearly 70% of surveyed organizations identify the fast pace of AI development—particularly generative AI—as their number one security worry. Key issues include integrity lapses (64%) and trust deficits (57%) within AI systems. Generative AI’s appetite for vast, often sensitive datasets adds complexity to protecting data assets.

A growing number of businesses (about one-third) report that generative AI is already integrated or actively transforming their operations. However, the race to adopt AI quickly often outpaces thorough security preparations, increasing exposure to vulnerabilities.

Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, warns that rapid AI deployment “can come at the cost of caution,” as enterprises struggle to fully grasp their AI application architectures amid the influx of GenAI-powered SaaS tools.

Increased Investment in AI Security

On a positive note, 73% of organizations are boosting budgets or reallocating funds to AI-specific security solutions. Companies are diversifying their defenses, sourcing technology from cloud providers, established security vendors, and emerging startups alike. Generative AI security has become the second-highest priority after cloud security, signaling broad acknowledgment of AI’s unique risks.

Data Breach Trends and Persistent Threats

Though data breaches remain a major concern, their frequency has slightly declined. Reported breaches within the last year dropped from 23% in 2021 to 14% in 2025. Malware remains the leading threat, with phishing overtaking ransomware as the second biggest menace.

External attackers such as hacktivists and nation-state actors top the list of threat actors, while human error has declined but remains significant.

Quantum Computing’s Rising Security Challenges

Quantum computing risks are gaining sharp focus, with 63% of respondents worried about “future encryption compromise,” where quantum machines might eventually break current encryption standards. Other top quantum concerns include vulnerabilities in key distribution (61%) and the “harvest now, decrypt later” (HNDL) threat (58%), where encrypted data stolen today could be decrypted in the future.

Half of organizations are reassessing encryption strategies, and 60% are testing or evaluating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. However, only about one-third trust cloud or telecom providers to manage the quantum transition, highlighting a trust gap in this critical area.

Todd Moore, Global VP of Data Security Products at Thales, emphasized: “The clock is ticking on post-quantum readiness. While many are prototyping new algorithms, deployment timelines are tight. Falling behind could leave sensitive data vulnerable.”

Looking Ahead

Thales’ 2025 report underscores the urgent need for organizations to accelerate security modernization efforts. Balancing rapid innovation in AI and quantum technologies with robust data protection will be key to safeguarding sensitive information in the years ahead. The evolving threat landscape demands both strategic foresight and tactical agility to stay secure in an era defined by transformative tech advances.