As 2025 approaches, cybersecurity leaders are bracing for a year of intensifying challenges. Regulations are tightening, nation-state attackers are refining their strategies, and CISOs are under growing pressure. Aleksandr Yampolskiy, Co-Founder and CEO, Jeff Le, VP of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, and Steve Cobb, CISO, all from SecurityScorecard, bring sharp focus to what lies ahead. What worked in 2024 may not protect you in 2025.

It’s 7:30 AM when I check my inbox, and right at the top is an urgent email from Alex, our Chairman of the Board: “I need an update on how we’re stacking up against our competitors on security.” Not just a quick overview—he’s asking for specifics on how our cybersecurity posture compares to our peers, the improvements we’ve made, and a detailed look at our progress since our last board meeting.

Late last night, I received a notification from SecurityScorecard alerting me to a newly discovered vulnerability, Solarwinds, with potentially severe business implications for my organization. It’s now 6AM, and I’ve been up through the night, digging into the latest security research to fully assess the risk and scope of exposure. Thanks to SecurityScorecard’s real-time automated alert, I’m ahead of the situation and have already proactively briefed our CIO and executive team.

A silent danger is sweeping through the world’s critical infrastructure. The SecurityScorecard STRIKE Team has uncovered a resurgence of Volt Typhoon—a state-sponsored cyber-espionage group from the Asia-Pacific region, known for its precision and persistence. This is no ordinary attack. Volt Typhoon exploits unprotected, outdated edge devices within targeted critical infrastructure.

In the realm of network security, safeguarding communication ports is a fundamental aspect of protecting a network’s integrity and confidentiality. Port 139, primarily used by the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol for file sharing in Windows networks, stands out as a critical point of vulnerability when not properly secured. This port facilitates network communications, allowing computers to share files, printers, and serial ports over a network.

In the intricate matrix of network communications, TCP port 445 stands as a crucial node, facilitating the swift and efficient exchange of resources like files and printer services between computers on the same network. Yet, its significance as a channel for Server Message Block (SMB) communication within Windows operating systems also marks it as a vulnerable target for cyber threats.