World Economic Forum Gathers Cybersecurity Experts Amidst AI and Quantum Threats
The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meetings in Dubai this week mark a significant convergence of over 150 cybersecurity leaders worldwide, focusing on the rapidly evolving risks posed by technological breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The 2025 session is distinguished by the confluence of escalating geopolitical tension, shifting global power distributions, and deepening vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and disinformation, making this the most urgent and critical meeting in recent years.
Strategic Focus on AI and Quantum Risk Mitigation
During the three-day summit (October 14–16), experts are collaborating to identify and manage the cascading cybersecurity risks introduced by advanced technologies, especially AI and quantum computing. These systems are redefining the speed, sophistication, and impact of both cyber offense and defense. Policymakers and technologists at the summit are tasked with developing actionable policies to counter quantum-powered attacks, address emergent threats from large language models, and enhance collective defense mechanisms.
Geopolitical and Economic Dynamics Shape Security Agenda
This year’s forum is occurring under the shadow of hardening global divisions and digital multipolarity, where regional blocs increasingly set their own standards and regulations for technology and cyber defense. The intensified competition between global powers for technological supremacy is resulting in new forms of cyber-enabled economic disruption and state-sponsored sabotage.
Actionable Solutions and Future Roadmaps
The meetings are expected to deliver frameworks for the responsible deployment of quantum-safe cryptography, cross-border cooperation in combating cybercrime, and prioritization of supply-chain security. Special tracks are also dedicated to AI-driven misinformation—highlighting the capabilities of generative models to spread disinformation at scale—and strategies to secure critical infrastructure from both criminal and nation-state actors.
End of Support for Windows 10 Raises Global Enterprise Security Risks
Microsoft’s official end of support for Windows 10, effective October 14, 2025, ushers in a new era of risk for organizations and consumers relying on the operating system. With no further technical support, security patches, or bug fixes, millions of devices are now exposed to zero-day threats, increased exploitation, and compliance concerns. This transition has immediate technical and operational ramifications across multiple sectors, from enterprise IT to industrial control systems.
Technical Impacts of Unsupported Operating Systems
The cessation of routine updates means attackers will now actively scan for unpatched Windows 10 hosts, leveraging published and future vulnerabilities without fear of remediation from Microsoft. Exploits targeting legacy systems, such as privilege escalation and remote code execution vulnerabilities, are expected to increase. Organizations with Windows 10 endpoints in critical infrastructure—healthcare, energy, financial services—are particularly susceptible due to the prevalence of legacy software and hardware compatibility constraints.
Enterprise Migration and Security Mitigation Strategies
Industry experts recommend urgent migration to supported operating systems and the deployment of endpoint detection and response solutions as interim protection. Enterprises unable to upgrade immediately are advised to segment vulnerable devices, implement stringent access controls, and invest in virtual patching technologies. Regulatory and standards-setting bodies are also monitoring compliance, as continued use of unsupported systems may now violate data protection mandates in several jurisdictions.
Heightened Threat Activity Anticipated
The cybersecurity community forecasts a spike in targeted malware campaigns, ransomware actors exploiting newly vulnerable endpoints, and increases in phishing attacks targeting organizations during the challenging migration period. Security operations centers are bracing for an uptick in incident responses related to Windows 10 assets, prompting a renewed emphasis on asset inventory and rapid patch management policies.