Thales Report: Navigating AI and Quantum Threats in Today's Security Landscape

In the realm of cybersecurity, a new wave of challenges is surging with the rapid development of AI and quantum technologies. According to a recent report from Thales, a renowned cybersecurity firm, organizations are increasingly prioritizing these emerging threats. The "2025 Data Threat Report" offers a revealing glimpse into how AI and quantum computing are transforming security concerns for enterprises.

Shockingly, nearly 70% of organizations view the accelerated pace of AI advancements, particularly generative AI, as their primary security challenge. But it’s not just speed that worries them. Many companies also express deep concerns over the integrity of AI systems, with 64% of respondents acknowledging this lack of reliability. Even more alarming, 57% cited trust issues with these technologies.

Generative AI, in particular, has a voracious appetite for data, heavily relying on high-quality, often sensitive information to function effectively. As we venture into the realm of “agentic AI”—systems with improved autonomy—the importance of maintaining data quality becomes paramount. After all, the efficacy of decision-making and outputs from AI rests firmly on the data it consumes.

A surprising one-third of those surveyed indicated that generative AI is already being incorporated into their workflows, signaling a shift from cautious experimentation to practical implementation. This marks a significant transformation in how businesses are deploying these advanced technologies.

Embracing Generative AI Poses Security Challenges

The intersection of generative AI integration and associated security hurdles is complex. Companies are not merely skimming the surface anymore; they’re fully diving into operational enhancements. Yet, while many see the swift adoption of generative AI as a critical hazard, those firms positioned at the forefront aren’t necessarily pausing to reassess their systems completely. Instead, they advance quickly, potentially leaving themselves vulnerable to the very threats they’re trying to combat.

Eric Hanselman, Chief Analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, aptly noted, “The fast-evolving Generative AI landscape pressures enterprises to move quickly, often at a cautionary cost.” As businesses hasten to adopt GenAI, they risk bypassing essential system evaluations, which could inadvertently cultivate new weaknesses.

On a more encouraging note, 73% of survey participants revealed they’re investing in security solutions specifically targeting AI-related threats, whether through new budgets or reallocation of existing funds. A robust diversity in their approach is evident, with a majority sourcing tools from established cloud providers, collaborating with traditional security vendors, and nearly half seeking out novel startups for innovative solutions.

Data Breaches Show Signs of Improvement

Despite ongoing worries about security breaches, they have actually seen a slight decline in frequency over the past few years. In 2021, 56% of businesses noted experiencing a breach, which has now lowered to 45% in the latest report. Furthermore, the percentage of enterprises reporting breaches within the past year dipped from 23% to 14%.

Malware remains a top threat; however, phishing has ascended to a close second, nudging ransomware down the list. When it comes to culprits, external threats dominate—the primary dangers are identified as hacktivists followed closely by nation-state actors.

The 2025 report highlights heightened apprehensiveness about quantum-centric security threats. A staggering 63% of respondents identified the risk of "future encryption compromise," where advanced quantum computers could potentially crack current encryption protocols. Coupled with fears over key distribution vulnerabilities and the foreboding "harvest now, decrypt later" (HNDL) scenarios, this paints a troubling picture.

A silver lining exists, as half of surveyed organizations are reassessing their encryption strategies, with a robust 60% exploring prototypes of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. However, it's interesting to note that only a third place their trust in telecom or cloud vendors to guide them through this intricate transition.

Todd Moore, Global VP of Data Security Products at Thales, emphasized the urgency, stating, “The clock is ticking on post-quantum readiness. It's a positive sign that such a significant number are already looking into new encryption strategies, but time is of the essence.” Ensuring operational data security is crucial—not just in adapting to the capabilities that generative AI brings, but also in fortifying defenses against whatever challenges loom on the horizon.