Need for Speed: Key Insights From the 2025 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report

With cybercriminals moving faster than ever, businesses must act quickly to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Not only are cybercriminals getting smarter – they’re getting faster. The 2025 Annual SonicWall Cyber Threat Report is available now, and it’s uncovered an unsettling reality: hackers are now using public exploit code within 48 hours of release. Making matters worse is how long it takes organizations to patch critical security flaws.

For businesses and security professionals, this means the window for prevention is shrinking rapidly. Legacy security solutions are no longer enough, businesses must adopt a new mindset to combat modern cyber threats. To stay ahead, businesses need real-time threat intelligence, continuous monitoring and proactive defense strategies. 

48 Hours, Meet 3,600 Hours

SonicWall’s data shows that 61% of the time, threat actors are utilizing publicly available exploit codes in as little as 48 hours. When you compare that to the 120 to 150 days it takes organizations to implement patches on average, it starts to paint a frightening picture. That 3,552-hour gap is where the most damage happens – data theft, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC) and more. 

We have some examples, too. In 2024, the LockBit ransomware group exploited a critical JetBrains TeamCity vulnerability (CVE-2024-27198), launching attacks within 24 hours of its disclosure. Meanwhile, Cl0p ransomware operators used a different critical flaw to breach 66 companies within two days of a PoC release. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of an alarming trend where attackers weaponize vulnerabilities before businesses even know they exist. 

Ransomware and BEC: Bigger, Faster and More Costly

Ransomware continues to be a devastating cyber threat, and our threat report shows why. In 2024 alone, ransomware cost businesses an average of $4.91 million per incident when you factor in downtime, data recovery and ransom payments. 

And it’s not just ransomware – BEC attacks have surged to account for one-third of all reported cyber insurance claims, as shared with us through our trusted cyber insurance partner, Cysurance. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated, often using AI to craft convincing phishing emails that trick employees into sending money or sensitive data to cybercriminals. With cyber insurance costs skyrocketing, businesses need to double down on prevention rather than waiting to be attacked and spending even more on recovery.  

IoT and Cloud Threats Are Escalating

With more connected devices than ever, IoT attacks have spiked by 124%, making unsecured devices an easy entry point for cybercriminals. Meanwhile, cloud-based threats remain a top concern, with 85% of all actionable security alerts tied to cloud account compromises. As businesses continue their digital transformations, securing IoT devices and cloud environments must be a top priority. 

How Businesses Can Stay Ahead

The speed at which threat actors move today demands an always-on approach to cybersecurity. Here’s what organizations can do right now: 

• Reduce the Patching Gap: Implement automated patch management and vulnerability scanning to stay ahead of known exploits. 

• Leverage 24/7 Threat Monitoring: SonicWall’s SOC services ensure real-time detection and response, preventing breaches before they happen. 

• Adopt Zero-Trust Security Models: Assume that no one – inside or outside the network –should be trusted by default. Strict access controls and continuous monitoring are key. 

• Educate Employees on Phishing and BEC Threats: Human error remains a major factor in breaches, making security awareness training essential. 

The full 2025 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report offers deeper insights into the modern threat landscape as well as details for staying ahead of emerging threats. With cybercriminals operating at breakneck speeds, businesses can’t afford to play catch-up. The time to act is now. 

Get the full report and see the latest cybersecurity trends firsthand.