What CIOs and CISOs Need to Know About Internet Trends, Surveillance, and Secure File Sharing

As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, the challenges for CIOs and CISOs have become more complex. The past year highlighted growing threats from surveillance, AI misuse, censorship, and weakened data privacy enforcement. In this article, we’ll examine key cybersecurity trends from 2024, their impact on enterprise data protection, and what organizations should expect in 2025—especially when it comes to securing sensitive business files.

2024 Recap: A Year of Escalating Digital Threats

From government surveillance to private sector data harvesting, 2024 exposed how fragile internet privacy has become. Enterprises saw an increase in disinformation campaigns, internet shutdowns, and attempts to block secure technologies like VPNs. These are no longer issues reserved for activists or journalists—they’re business risks with real financial and operational consequences.

1. Internet Censorship and Content Manipulation

According to Freedom House, at least 25 of 41 monitored countries experienced significant internet censorship in 2024. In seven of those countries, governments imposed total shutdowns during election periods. Others blocked access to communication platforms and politically sensitive content.

For global enterprises with distributed teams or cross-border operations, this “splinternet” trend introduces serious business continuity and security challenges. Organizations relying on cloud services, remote collaboration, or international data sharing must account for politically driven disruptions and regional network controls.

2. VPN Access Under Fire

Virtual private networks (VPNs), a crucial tool for protecting corporate data in transit, were also targeted. In August 2024, Turkey blocked access to 27 popular VPN services. Russia and Myanmar also increased pressure on VPN usage. While workarounds exist, this trend shows growing government hostility toward privacy tools.

For IT leaders, this means investing in VPN solutions that offer obfuscation capabilities and alternative access points. It’s also a reminder that even trusted privacy tools must be evaluated for resilience under pressure.

3. Surveillance Expands—From Governments and Big Tech

In 2024, government agencies in the U.S. and Canada ramped up their data collection efforts, exploiting legal loopholes and emerging tech to expand surveillance. Private companies—especially tech giants and automakers—played a key role in this data harvesting ecosystem.

Notable examples include:

• Apple allegedly using device microphones to collect ad-targeting data.
• Google enabling device fingerprinting for more invasive tracking.
• U.S. agencies collecting data from financial institutions and vehicles.

These practices erode trust and highlight the importance of choosing vendors and platforms that respect enterprise data privacy.

What to Expect in 2025: Cybersecurity and File Protection Trends

With AI adoption accelerating and cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, CIOs and CISOs must prepare for new levels of digital risk. Here’s what to watch in 2025:

1. DIY Surveillance and Low-Tech Threats

The threat landscape isn’t just about sophisticated hackers anymore. In 2025, even basic tools can be weaponized for surveillance. Security researchers have demonstrated how publicly accessible street cameras and license plate readers can be used to track individuals.

Other low-cost threats include:

• Smart glasses and wearable tech used to record or dox individuals in real time.
• Off-the-shelf facial recognition software used for targeted stalking or reconnaissance.

For organizations, this means tightening policies around physical security, IoT device usage, and staff training—especially for high-risk departments like legal, finance, and executive leadership.

2. The Rise of Unregulated Information Channels

Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok now act as de facto information gatekeepers. Unlike traditional media, these platforms profit from engagement rather than accuracy or accountability.

This poses a risk to businesses in multiple ways:

• Misinformation campaigns that target brands or corporate leadership.
• The spread of AI-generated disinformation.
• Increased brand impersonation using deepfakes.

IT and security teams should collaborate with communications departments to monitor brand presence online and implement authentication tools like verified profiles or digital signatures for public-facing content.

3. AI-Powered Cybercrime

Generative AI is already being exploited to enhance phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and content scraping. In 2024, a hacker used a deepfake voice to impersonate a CFO and steal $25 million.

In 2025, we can expect:

• Phishing-as-a-service tools powered by AI.
• More convincing deepfake videos and audio.
• Automated attempts to bypass email filters or steal login credentials.

To combat this, organizations should enhance email security, adopt zero-trust frameworks, and conduct regular security awareness training with real-world phishing simulations.

4. Weak Enforcement of Data Privacy Laws

Despite regulatory frameworks like the GDPR and the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Big Tech companies continue to exploit user data, often choosing to pay fines rather than comply. In 2025, enforcement will remain weak unless stricter penalties or regulatory bodies with real power are introduced.

For U.S.-based enterprises, state-level privacy laws may offer some relief. Over 20 states have implemented or proposed consumer data protection laws, but a national framework remains unlikely in the near term.

Until stronger laws are in place, the burden of data protection falls on the enterprise. This means:

• Evaluating vendors for compliance with privacy standards.
• Minimizing data exposure by using zero-access cloud tools.
• Encrypting sensitive files and communications by default.

5. Growth in Privacy-First Technologies

There is a growing demand for secure alternatives to mainstream digital tools—especially among privacy-conscious businesses. This includes encrypted email, secure file sharing, and cloud storage platforms designed with data sovereignty in mind.

At 689Cloud, we’ve seen this shift firsthand. More enterprises are moving away from traditional file-sharing methods like email attachments or public cloud drives. Instead, they’re adopting platforms that offer:

• View-only file access to prevent downloads and unauthorized sharing.
• Digital rights management (DRM) to protect sensitive documents even after they’re downloaded.
• Audit trails and access control for compliance and risk monitoring.

Solutions like our SecureMail and SecureDrive offer a seamless way to protect files while maintaining business productivity. Whether you’re sharing financial reports with stakeholders or product plans with partners, you can do so without worrying about leaks, misuse, or compliance violations.

Final Thoughts: 2025 Is the Year to Strengthen Digital Trust

In 2025, data privacy and secure file sharing are no longer optional—they’re a core part of your organization’s reputation, legal compliance, and operational security. As AI-driven threats and surveillance tactics grow more sophisticated, CIOs and CISOs must lead the charge toward adopting secure, privacy-first tools.

At 689Cloud, we believe the future of secure business communication lies in showing files, not sending them. Protect your most sensitive documents with our zero-trust file sharing solutions, and take control of your digital future today.

Ready to get started? Visit 689Cloud to learn more or sign up for a free trial.