Cyber Crime
Deepfakes, Quantum Threats, and AI Scams: APAC Faces a Cyberstorm in 2025
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is gearing up for a challenging cybersecurity landscape in 2025, with AI and quantum computing emerging as significant drivers of sophisticated cyberattacks.
Experts warn that incidents this year, such as deepfake disinformation campaigns and “harvest now, decrypt later” schemes, signal a rising wave of threats targeting businesses, governments, and individuals.
Cybercriminals in APAC have increasingly exploited AI to orchestrate advanced attacks, including adaptive malware, AI-generated phishing, and deepfakes.
Clement Lee, a security expert at Check Point Software Technologies, highlights the role of deepfakes in recent election-related disinformation in India and Indonesia, as well as a $25 million corporate fraud case in Hong Kong.
These tactics are now expanding beyond politics, pushing organizations to adopt AI-driven defenses.
Simon Green, President of Asia-Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, predicts a surge in deepfake-enabled scams, particularly audio-based impersonations, as voice-cloning technology becomes more accessible. He describes the region as entering a “perfect storm” of AI-driven cyber threats, urging businesses to strengthen their defenses.
Quantum computing adds another layer of complexity. “Harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where adversaries store encrypted data to decrypt it once quantum technology matures, pose a looming threat.
APAC’s booming quantum computing market, driven by initiatives from tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Alibaba, along with national programs in India and Singapore, heightens the urgency for quantum-resistant cryptography.
Organizations are also prioritizing secure data management as they embrace AI-enabled solutions like Microsoft Copilot. According to Max McNamara of AvePoint, robust data security and compliance with evolving regulations are critical for leveraging AI effectively.
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, industry leaders advocate unified security platforms to streamline risk management, enhance detection, and reduce costs. The coming year promises a pivotal shift in how APAC addresses its evolving cybersecurity challenges.