In 2025, financial services firms aren’t asking if an attack will happen but how to stop it or minimize the fallout when it does. Phishing, ransomware, and insider threats are exposing gaps in outdated defenses and putting customer data at risk.
This article reveals the top financial services cyber threats and how your team can stop them. If you’re unsure whether your security stack can stand up, we’ll help you find out.
4 Top 2025 Financial Services Cyber Threats
Fueled by increased digitalization, AI misuse, and rising geopolitical tensions, banks, investment firms, fintech companies, and insurance providers are prime targets for faster, smarter hackers — creating an intensified demand for cyber threats against financial services.
Banks and financial firms face growing risks that seek to disrupt critical services, harm customer trust, and even threaten financial stability. As third-party reliance grows, so does the attack surface.
Below are the top financial cybersecurity threats your firm must be prepared to face this year
1. Ransomware Attacks
Criminals target cyber security in banking with advanced cyber attack vectors. These attackers steal sensitive data before locking critical systems, then demand a ransom while threatening to leak the data.
Hackers target the financial sector because it holds high-value data they can steal, sell, or exploit, including:
- Customer Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
- Social security numbers
- Credit card and banking information
- Corporate financial records
- Trading algorithms and proprietary investment models
- Loan and mortgage data
- M&A (mergers and acquisitions) strategies
- Regulatory compliance documents
The upswing in external IT security threats puts cybersecurity in financial services under a massive strain. Here's how to reduce risk and avoid devastating operational and reputational damage.
Detecting, Stopping, and Avoiding Ransomware
Defending against ransomware starts with a proactive cybersecurity strategy. Here's how financial firms can improve cyber security in banking and across the broader financial sector:
- Fight social engineering: Most ransomware attacks start with phishing emails or fake messages. Training your team is your first line of defense.
- Harden your systems: Block ransomware early with endpoint protection tools that detect and stop malicious files.
- Back up your data securely: Offsite, immutable backups are key to recovering without paying ransoms.
- Test your response plan: A solid plan reduces downtime and limits damage when ransomware strikes.
2. Supply Chain Attacks
Beyond direct financial services cyber threats like ransomware, financial institutions are increasingly exposed through their third-party networks. Supply chain attacks target the weak links in vendors, partners, and software providers that banks and fintechs rely on daily.
While these third parties are trusted, they may lack the same cyber security in financial sector protocols, creating hidden vulnerabilities. These indirect cyber attack vectors are growing more common, leaving organizations open to serious breaches.
Protect Your 3rd Party Supply Chains
Strengthen your financial cybersecurity posture by regularly performing web application pentesting to identify and close supply chain gaps.
3. AI-Powered CyberAttacks
The combination of artificial intelligence and human ingenuity is creating some of the most dangerous cyber attack vectors seen in the financial sector. AI is empowering attackers to automate and amplify their efforts. From phishing emails and malware creation to advanced deepfakes, password cracking, and voice cloning, AI is fueling faster and more convincing attacks.
For cybersecurity in financial services, this means heightened risk as attackers use generative AI to target banks, fintechs, and other organizations handling sensitive financial data.
Staying Ahead in the AI Age
Fighting “smart” financial services cyber threats requires smarter defenses. Start building your AI-resilient strategy today with our free checklist: 5 ½ Easy Steps to Avoid Cyber Threats.
4. Social Engineering
Following AI-powered cyber threats, social engineering remains one of the most effective financial services cyber threats in play today. Attackers trick employees or clients by using deception to gain access to sensitive data or systems. In the financial sector, this is especially dangerous, as a single mistake could expose critical assets or open the door for larger attacks.
Social engineering thrives on human error, making cybersecurity in financial services just as much about people as technology.
Social Engineering Training and Testing
To counter this threat, organizations must combine education and testing. Show your team how simple it is for attackers to gain access through manipulation. Teach them about common attack types, such as phishing and pretexting, and assess their understanding.
Finally, reinforce learning by running simulated social engineering tests with the help of our expert white hat security team.
Defend Against Financial Cyber Threats with the Global Ghost Team™
Financial cyber threats are leveling up fast. AI-powered attacks, supply chain breaches, and other external threats are hitting the financial sector harder than ever. If you’re not ahead of this, you’re already behind
Staying ahead of these risks requires more than basic defenses; it demands elite expertise.
That’s where our Global Ghost Team™ comes in. This exclusive group of seasoned cybersecurity professionals specializes in protecting the financial services industry from the world’s most advanced threats.
Contact Us now to secure your organization today.
