![\"Inside](\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2025\/07\/09163710\/kaspersky-horizons-2025-featured.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kaspersky HORIZONS 2025, held in Madrid from June 30 to July 2, served as a strategic forum for exploring the future of cybersecurity. As the company\u2019s flagship European event, it gathered experts to examine how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping global digital security. Central themes included the rise of AI-powered ransomware, the ethical deployment of artificial intelligence, and the looming impact of quantum computing.<\/p>\n
Speakers included:<\/p>\n
Each expert brought their unique perspective to the challenges shaping the future of digital security.<\/p>\n
These discussions reflected a shared urgency: the cybersecurity landscape is evolving fast, and collective resilience must keep pace.<\/p>\n
One of the key revelations at Kaspersky HORIZONS 2025 was the rise of FunkSec<\/strong>, a ransomware group using AI to scale attacks. Active since late 2024, FunkSec has targeted critical sectors across Europe and Asia with a compact Rust-based malware that disables over 50 processes, encrypts files, and exfiltrates data \u2014 no scripting required.<\/p>\n What makes FunkSec alarming is its use of large language models (LLMs) to generate code \u2014 reducing development time and technical barriers for cybercriminals.<\/p>\n \u201cMore and more, cybercriminals are leveraging AI to develop malicious tools,\u201d said Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky. \u201cGenerative AI lowers barriers and accelerates malware creation, enabling cybercriminals to adapt their tactics faster.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The group pairs low ransom demands<\/strong> (as little as $10,000) with password-triggered data theft and extra tools, pointing to a shift toward scalable, AI-driven cybercrime.<\/p>\n At HORIZONS 2025, the spotlight turned not only to AI\u2019s capabilities, but also to its consequences. As AI becomes more accessible, so do the risks \u2014 52% of companies now fear reputational damage from AI-driven attacks, and 41% lack the external expertise needed to defend against them.<\/p>\n Kaspersky used the occasion to advocate for greater transparency, ethical standards, and secure-by-design practices<\/strong>. The company\u2019s new Guidelines for Secure Development and Deployment of AI Systems<\/em> offer a practical framework for responsible implementation.<\/p>\n \u201cEthical AI is the foundation for trust, compliance and sustainable business success,\u201d said Jochen Michels, Head of Public Affairs, Europe, at Kaspersky. \u201cIn an increasingly digitalized world, the responsible use of AI is not just a technological issue, but a matter of business integrity and long-term viability.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Cybersecurity evangelist Cl\u00e9ment Domingo reinforced the urgency of adapting to this reality:<\/p>\n \u201cOver the past few months, I\u2019ve witnessed the drastic use of AI by cybercriminals. They understand just how much of a game-changer it is. That\u2019s why businesses must incorporate AI into their defense strategies, and use it wisely and responsibly to protect data, infrastructure and privacy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n And beyond technology, there\u2019s a human imperative. As Liliana Acosta, CEO of Thinker Soul, warned:<\/p>\n \u201cArtificial intelligence is being increasingly used to strengthen cybersecurity \u2014 from spotting threats to predicting attacks. But who decides how far these tools should go? [\u2026] We need systems that are not only effective but also fair and ethical, ensuring power, responsibility and harm are shared justly in our digital world.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n At the heart of it all is a principle we emphasized throughout the event: AI must serve security without compromising equity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n While quantum computing promises breakthroughs in science and industry, its potential to break today\u2019s encryption<\/strong> was a key concern at Kaspersky HORIZONS 2025. As noted during the event, 83% of organizations are already assessing quantum risks \u2014 and for good reason.<\/p>\n One of the most urgent threats is known as \u201cstore now, decrypt later\u201d<\/strong>. Cybercriminals are already harvesting encrypted data with the aim of unlocking it once quantum capabilities mature \u2014 putting diplomatic, financial and personal information at long-term risk.<\/p>\n Other concerns include potential sabotage of blockchain systems<\/strong>, such as forging digital signatures, or compromising crypto wallets. Looking ahead, experts even warned of quantum-resistant ransomware<\/strong>, built with post-quantum cryptography to prevent decryption \u2014 even by quantum machines.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most critical risk lies not really in the future, but in the present,\u201d explained Sergey Lozhkin, Head of GReAT for META and APAC. \u201cEncrypted data with long-term value is already at risk. The security decisions we make today will define the resilience of our digital infrastructure for decades.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2025\/07\/09172457\/EN-Kaspersky-Horizons-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCybersecurity in the Age of AI: From Tools to Ethics<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nQuantum Computing and the \u201cStore Now, Decrypt Later\u201d Threat<\/h2>\n