New Zscaler AI Security Report Reveals an Over 3,000% Surge

Understanding AI Security: Insights from the 2025 ThreatLabz Report

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed from a futuristic concept to an essential part of our daily operations—both in businesses and personal lives. The latest ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report, released by Zscaler, sheds light on the current state of AI and machine learning (AI/ML) technologies and the implications for security.

The Rise of ChatGPT and Security Concerns

Leading the charge in AI/ML applications is ChatGPT, which commands an impressive 45.2% of all global AI transactions monitored by Zscaler. While it demonstrates the incredible potential of AI to streamline tasks and enhance productivity, it is also the most blocked application, underscoring companies’ significant concerns regarding data privacy and security risks.

Other popular AI applications facing similar scrutiny include Grammarly and Microsoft Copilot. These tools, favored for their content creation power, reveal a growing trend: businesses are becoming more vigilant and proactive in safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access and potential data leaks.

Jason Koler, CISO at Eaton Corporation, noted, “We had no visibility into ChatGPT. Zscaler was our key solution initially to help us understand who was going to it and what they were uploading.” This highlights a crucial aspect for many organizations today—maintaining visibility and control over AI usage.

DeepSeek: The Double-Edged Sword of AI Innovation

The emergence of agentic AI and the open-source model DeepSeek has created unprecedented opportunities for innovation, but it has also amplified risks. As more threat actors utilize such technologies to enhance their operations, they can automate and scale attacks, leading to more sophisticated cyber threats. In 2025, we’ve seen DeepSeek contend with major AI players like OpenAI and Meta, transforming the landscape of AI development while introducing significant security vulnerabilities.

Geographic Trends in AI Transactions

The United States and India lead the globe in AI/ML transaction volumes, reflecting the shift towards an AI-driven future. However, as these countries race ahead, they are also faced with distinct challenges such as stringent compliance requirements and a shortage of skilled professionals. It’s a reminder that innovation and risk management must go hand in hand.

Industries Bridging the AI Gap

Within the business world, the Finance & Insurance sector stands out, generating 28.4% of all enterprise AI/ML activity. This sector is crucial for enhancing fraud detection, risk modeling, and customer service automation. Not far behind, the Manufacturing industry, leveraging advancements in supply chain optimization and robotics, accounts for 21.6% of transactions.

Other sectors, including Services, Technology, and Healthcare, are also increasingly adopting AI to boost efficiency. Yet, each faces unique regulatory and security challenges that may impede adoption yet further.

Zscaler’s Approach to Tackling AI Threats

Zscaler employs a Zero Trust architecture designed to minimize risk while maximizing the potential of AI. By focusing on business policies rather than traditional network structures, Zscaler secures users, workloads, and IoT/OT communication. This proactive approach includes:

• Zero Trust Foundation: Ensuring continuous verification and least-privilege access.
• Real-Time AI Insights: Utilizing predictive AI for actionable data that enhances security operations.
• Data Classification: Detecting and safeguarding sensitive data seamlessly.
• Threat Protection: Continuous monitoring of AI-enhanced threats.
• App Segmentation: Restricting lateral movement to minimize threats.
• Breach Prediction: Implementing advanced predictive models to anticipate potential breaches.

Download the Full ThreatLabz 2025 AI Security Report

For those interested in exploring deeper insights into real-world threat scenarios, AI predictions, and regulations, the full 2025 AI Security Report is available for download.

Conclusion

As we embrace the dawn of AI in daily operations and industrial practices, it’s clear that while these technologies offer tremendous potential for growth and efficiency, they also introduce new risks that cannot be ignored. Striking a balance between innovation and security will be essential for organizations moving forward.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.