Cyber attackers are infiltrating organizations more swiftly and from an increasingly broad spectrum of groups, according to CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report. As hackers evolve their methods, defenders find themselves struggling to keep pace, with critical implications for businesses and public institutions relying on digital infrastructure. Discussion of these trends is growing within the cybersecurity community, fueling urgent calls for improved network security and rapid detection capabilities across all sectors.
Earlier studies from CrowdStrike and similar security firms indicated breakout times—periods between initial breach and further lateral movement in a network—had stabilized or improved for defenders in preceding years. However, the most recent findings signal a decisive regression, with attackers breaking into systems faster and using more subtle approaches. Past reports also emphasized malware as a staple of attacks, but the reliance now on legitimate credentials and stealth techniques marks a notable shift in threat actor behavior.
Attacker Tactics Accelerate Breaches
CrowdStrike’s latest data shows the average breakout time has dropped to 29 minutes, a significant acceleration from prior years. Notably, some incidents saw attackers navigate from initial access to deeper network infiltration in as little as 27 seconds. This shrinking window complicates defensive responsibilities, leaving organizations with less time to identify and contain intrusions.
How Are Attackers Exploiting Weaknesses?
Cybercriminals and nation-state adversaries are leveraging cross-domain gaps within cloud, identity, enterprise, and unmanaged devices, enabling them to bypass conventional security measures. Their use of social engineering further grants rapid access to privileged accounts, particularly within cloud infrastructure. According to Adam Meyers, CrowdStrike’s head of counter adversary operations,
“Threat actors are exploiting those cross-domain gaps to gain access to environments, so they’re wriggling in between the seams in cloud, identity, enterprise and unmanaged network devices.”
Why Is Defender Fatigue a Growing Concern?
With attackers increasing in speed and adopting “living-off-the-land” tactics—utilizing legitimate tools and credentials—defenders face mounting exhaustion and stress, which can lead to human error. Reports indicate that 82% of intrusions did not involve malware, emphasizing a shift toward hands-on-keyboard attacks. Meyers underlines the persistent pressure for security teams:
“The speed at which we’re seeing these breakout times accelerate is one of the markers.”
The report highlights sharp rises in activity attributed to North Korean and Chinese threat groups, as well as a 42% increase in zero-day vulnerability exploits. Attackers are increasingly successful at exploiting previously unknown flaws in edge devices, with China-linked actors achieving immediate system access in the majority of their intrusions. Meyers also anticipates a surge in AI-driven attacks, specifically targeting new vulnerabilities across widely used products.
Looking at CrowdStrike’s findings alongside earlier industry data reveals a marked escalation in both attacker efficiency and the sophistication of their strategies. Organizations should focus on robust credential management, rapid incident response, and ongoing staff education to narrow the technology and skills gap exploited by malicious actors. Rapid shifts in the cybersecurity landscape mean that even advanced defense setups must be regularly tested and updated to keep pace with evolving threats. Crowdsourcing intelligence and investing in automation may offer a tactical edge, but global cooperation and proactive security measures will remain vital in containing advanced persistent threats.
