July technology predictions: cyber security, AI, and the cloud 

• Increased investment in automation: businesses will prioritise automation, with robotic process automation (RPA) and low-code/no-code platforms enabling faster deployment of solutions, as highlighted in Microsoft’s Power Platform roadmap.
• Edge computing gains traction: as data volumes soar, organisations are expected to increasingly deploy edge computing solutions, moving processing closer to where data is generated. This trend is underscored in Datto’s latest reports on managed service providers (MSPs), which note growing client demand for edge devices and localised intelligence. 
• Wearables and IoT expansion: Sophos and Microsoft both project an uptick in connected devices, including health wearables and industrial IoT, raising both opportunities and security concerns. 

• Ransomware evolution: Sophos highlights the emergence of ‘double extortion’ ransomware, where data is both encrypted and leaked to pressure victims. In July, expect more such attacks, especially targeting mid-sized enterprises and public sector organisations. 

• AI-driven threats: adversaries are using generative AI to create more convincing phishing emails, deepfakes and automated attack scripts. Microsoft warns organisations to prepare for a spike in social engineering attacks exploiting LLMs (large language models). 

• Cloud vulnerabilities: as cloud adoption accelerates, Datto’s MSP reports identify increased targeting of misconfigured cloud environments, especially in hybrid and multi-cloud setups. 

• Zero Trust becomes the norm: both Sophos and Microsoft agree: zero trust architectures will move from recommended practice to industry standard, as organisations seek to verify every user and device before granting access to critical systems. 

• Supply chain attacks: expect continued attention to software supply chain vulnerabilities, with attackers exploiting trusted third-party tools and updates. 

• Enhance employee cyber-awareness training, focusing on phishing and social engineering. 

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive access controls. 

• Regularly audit cloud configurations and apply security updates without delay. 

• Invest in extended detection and response (XDR) tools to identify and remediate threats across endpoints, networks and the cloud. 

• Generative ai integration: businesses will deploy generative AI across customer service, content creation, and data analytics, with Microsoft Copilot and other LLM-based tools gaining traction. 
• AI-augmented cyber security: defensive platforms will increasingly use AI for anomaly detection, threat intelligence and automated response. Datto’s research shows MSPs are investing in AI tools to manage alerts and respond faster to incidents. At CSG, we provide accelerated security solutions that use extensive GenAI capabilities, including Sophos Extended Detection and Response (XDR) which helps nuetralise adversaries faster, increasing both analyst and business confidence.  

• Ethical AI and governance: With new regulatory frameworks emerging, July will see increased focus on responsible AI adoption and transparent model governance. CSG provides expert guidance on how to adopt AI into your workplace, make sure to review you current AI uses and contact us for guidance to ensure you’re adhering to your company’s security policy and most importantly, industry and governmental requirements. 

• AI in cloud operations: Cloud providers are integrating AI for workload optimisation, resource allocation and predictive maintenance. 

• Hybrid cloud maturity: companies will refine hybrid strategies, deploying workloads across public and private clouds to optimise performance and costs. It’s recommended that you source out a cloud specialist to provide support. 

• SaaS proliferation: the explosion of SaaS applications, especially collaboration and analytics, will drive demand for better integration, data visibility and access control. This means that if your organisation isn’t getting the most out of its data analytics, it’s time to review. 

• Cloud data security: data loss prevention (DLP), encryption and cloud-native security tools will be critical, as highlighted in Sophos’s recent guidance. CSG are Microsoft cloud solutions partners, helping hundreds of organisations move to the cloud securely and with minimal distruption. 

• Disaster recovery and business continuity: Datto’s MSPs forecast put more emphasis on the increased interest in automated backup and fast recovery solutions, as organisations prepare for both cyber attacks and natural disasters. 

Based on the collective insights from Sophos, Microsoft, Datto and industry analysts, organisations should focus on the following priorities this July: 

• Adopt zero trust: move beyond perimeter-based defences to continuous verification and least-privilege access models. 

• Invest in AI and Automation: making the most out of AI for operational efficiency, cybersecurity, and customer engagement will be a growing focal point for companies this month, but stay vigilant about potential misuse. 

• Review cloud security posture: CSG conducts regular assessments of cloud configuration and monitors for misconfigurations or unauthorised access, meaning you can be reassured that when you move to the cloud, you do it securely.  

• Enhance incident response: it’s suggested that organisations update their response plans regularly to account for new threats, especially AI-driven and supply chain attacks. This can be tricky if you don’t have the facilities in house and expertise to know what threats to be aware of – which is why partnering with a cyber security expert is the best way to protect your business against the latest threats that are specific to your industry, business size and structure.  

• Continuous training: with our training facilities, you can keep staff up to date on the latest phishing tactics, social engineering methods and security best practices.