Top Cybersecurity Controls of 2025

Cybersecurity is at a turning point. The rise of AI-driven threats and increasingly sophisticated attack techniques demand a bold, proactive approach. Organizations must stay ahead by adopting cybersecurity controls that deliver both protection and adaptability. At LMG Security, we continually monitor the latest threats, analyze breach trends, and evaluate cybersecurity solutions. Our experts have identified the Top Cybersecurity Controls for 2025 to address today’s challenges. These controls deliver strong, cost-effective protection, and align with frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001.

You can also download a PDF of these Top Cybersecurity Controls of 2025  to share with your organization and partners.

When selecting the top cybersecurity controls of 2025, we considered:

• The latest threat landscape and attack tactics.
• Effectiveness of each control against current risks.
• Financial and resource investments required.
• Compliance and third-party expectations.

And now, without further ado…

The Top Cybersecurity Controls of 2025

1. AI Readiness. The rapid adoption of AI has brought transformative benefits but also new challenges for cybersecurity. To ensure readiness, you must inventory all AI tools and systems, evaluate vulnerabilities such as adversarial attacks and model poisoning, and establish clear policies to mitigate risks. A study by IBM found that “only 24% of current gen AI projects have a component to secure the initiatives,” even though AI adoption has surged. Stay updated on AI-specific regulations, such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and create comprehensive AI governance policies that cover everything from acceptable use to data access restrictions. Incorporate AI risks into your incident response program and conduct regular tabletop exercises that simulate AI-related scenarios to help strengthen defenses. AI will continue to evolve rapidly, so this top cybersecurity control of 2025 is a strategic planning imperative.

2. Expert Cybersecurity Leadership. Effective cybersecurity starts with strategic leadership. A skilled Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) provides critical guidance on navigating today’s complex threat landscape. Regulatory requirements, such as those set by the FTC and NYDFS, increasingly mandate “qualified individuals” to oversee security programs. IBM’s Cost of a Breach report showed that appointing a CISO reduced breach costs by an average of $144,365. However, not all organizations require or can afford a full-time CISO. This is where fractional (or virtual) CISOs (vCISOs) can provide cost-effective, expert leadership without the full-time expense. Regardless of whether the role is fractional or full-time, having a dedicated CISO ensures that your security strategy is aligned with your business objectives and fully prepared to meet evolving threats.

3. Cybersecurity Training & Awareness. Humans remain both a critical defense and a significant vulnerability. Organizations with robust, managed training programs experience a dramatic reduction of up to 86% in phishing susceptibility. Better yet, managed and curated programs administered by a trusted partner ensure that your organization’s risks are fully addressed. By making security awareness part of your culture, you empower employees as your first line of defense while significantly reducing the risk of successful phishing attacks and easing the administrative burden on internal teams.

4. Advanced Multifactor Authentication (MFA). Protecting user access has never been more critical. Attackers are routinely bypassing MFA by stealing one-time passcodes or session cookies through social engineering and malware. Transition to phishing-resistant MFA methods, such as passkeys, hardware tokens, or biometric authentication solutions based on FIDO2 standards. Avoid weak methods like SMS or email-based codes, which are 40% less effective than stronger options. Passwords—the cornerstone of many authentication systems—are routinely stolen through phishing, malware, or breaches and then sold on the dark web, making strong MFA an essential second layer of defense.

5. Penetration Testing. Think like a hacker to stay one step ahead. Penetration testing exposes real-world weaknesses that automated tools often miss, such as configuration errors, sensitive data exposure, and authentication flaws. Key areas to focus on include networks, web applications, and critical assets like databases. Organizations that conduct regular penetration testing reduce breach costs significantly by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. For a glimpse into a real-world penetration testing tactic, watch this video where LMG’s team shows how a seemingly small vulnerability can be exploited to bypass an internal firewall and take over a network.

6. Continuous Vulnerability Management. The pace of software exploits is accelerating. Evil AI tools enable attackers to identify vulnerabilities and develop exploits faster than ever before, using stolen source code, bug reports, and even automated scanning of publicly accessible systems. Monthly vulnerability scans are no longer sufficient. Defenders must employ automated tools to scan daily and alert a ready-response team when weaknesses are detected. Attackers are relentless—and defenders need to continuously monitor their attack surface, including operating systems and third-party applications, to prevent security breaches. Typically, this requires continuous automated vulnerability scanning, configuration checks, patch deployment, and asset discovery. Organizations that adopt robust vulnerability management practices can significantly reduce risk of a breach and improve resilience against evolving threats.

7. Secure Cloud Configuration. Protecting your cloud starts with proactive management. Misconfigurations, responsible for 23% of cloud security breaches, are an open door for attackers. By implementing regular cloud configuration audits and strong configuration management programs, you can shut that door tight. Whether you’re using platforms like AWS or Microsoft 365, keeping configurations up to date is key to eliminating vulnerabilities. Cloud application security reviews and penetration tests can uncover hidden risks, like excessive permissions or unencrypted storage, ensuring your cloud stays secure and resilient against threats. Hackers continue to target cloud environments, so this is one of the more crucial cybersecurity controls for 2025. We suggest that your cloud security review is conducted by trained and experienced personnel or outsourced as needed.

8. Real-Time Data & Asset Management. Protecting your organization starts with knowing your assets. Conducting a thorough data mapping exercise helps you locate critical information and apply appropriate protections. Maintaining an inventory of data and technology assets, including cloud applications, ensures risks are addressed and cybersecurity investments align with needs. Instead of waiting for a breach to trigger an emergency inventory, use automated tools proactively. Real-time visibility is essential for managing risks, supporting compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA, and strengthening your overall cybersecurity posture.

9. Incident Response and Recovery. An effective incident response (IR) program minimizes the damage and costs associated with cyberattacks. Update your IR plan to include scenarios involving AI-enabled threats, such as deepfakes or automated phishing campaigns. Conduct regular tabletop exercises to test preparedness and identify gaps. Implement automated response playbooks to streamline containment and recovery efforts. IBM research shows that organizations with tested IR plans reduce breach costs by over $248,000.

10. Proactive Endpoint Security. Endpoints remain prime targets for attackers. Modern endpoint protection solutions, such as Extended Detection and Response (XDR), integrate threat detection across devices, networks, and cloud environments. Even the most advanced endpoint security tools require active monitoring to ensure they are functioning effectively and responding to threats in real-time. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services provide outsourced 24/7 monitoring and rapid response, enabling organizations to detect and mitigate threats before they cause significant damage. Regularly update and monitor endpoint defenses to stay ahead of evolving threats and ensure comprehensive coverage.

11. Zero Trust & Identity Management. Organizations embracing Zero Trust principles have seen up to a 32% reduction in cybersecurity incidents and significantly lower breach costs, making it an absolute necessity for today’s security landscape. Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems are a foundation of Zero Trust infrastructure, ensuring continuous verification of users and devices and enabling organizations to block unauthorized access before it starts. Role-based access controls go further, minimizing the risk from compromised accounts by granting access only on a need-to-know basis. By conducting routine cybersecurity evaluations such as penetration tests and controls assessments, you can gauge your current Zero Trust status and plan future progress.

12. Third Party Risk Management. Nearly every organization has at least one third-party vendor who has suffered a data breach, making third-party risk management (TPRM) essential for an effective cybersecurity program. Make sure you have a robust vendor vetting process, which includes clear, documented cybersecurity standards and contractual requirements. You should also ensure that your suppliers are actively vetting THEIR suppliers and integrate your key vendors into your incident response planning process. Streamline your process with SaaS TPRM tools such as Venminder in order to support year-round vendor tracking and compliance with contractual standards and regulatory requirements. At LMG, we regularly recommend and help organizations set up and automate vendor vetting processes.

We hope you found our analysis of the top cybersecurity controls of 2025 helpful! With cybersecurity evolving rapidly for both adversary tactics and defensive solutions, check out of weekly blog and quarterly updates to LMG’s Top Cybersecurity Controls for the latest cybersecurity developments and advice. Please contact us if you need help with technical testing, advisory or compliance consulting, and technical training.