Attackers Now Need Just 29 Minutes to Own a Network

Credential Misuse, AI-Powered Tools, and Security Blind Spots Accelerate Attacker Movement Through Breached Networks, CrowdStrike Reports

In a cybersecurity landscape where speed is the new battleground, attackers are moving through compromised networks faster than ever before, leveraging a dangerous combination of credential misuse, artificial intelligence-driven tools, and persistent security blind spots, according to the latest findings from CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report.

The report paints a stark picture of modern cyber warfare, where adversaries are not just persistent—they’re accelerating. Once inside a network, malicious actors now exploit stolen credentials to bypass traditional perimeter defenses, deploy AI-enhanced reconnaissance tools to map environments in real time, and exploit unmonitored or misconfigured systems to expand their foothold before defenders can react.

Credential misuse remains the most common initial access vector, accounting for over 40% of observed intrusions. Attackers are increasingly relying on phishing campaigns, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks to harvest legitimate usernames and passwords. Once inside, they pivot laterally with alarming speed, often using legitimate admin tools like PowerShell, WMI, and remote desktop protocols to blend in with normal activity.

AI tools are amplifying this threat. CrowdStrike observed attackers using machine learning models to automate reconnaissance, identify high-value assets, and even generate custom phishing lures tailored to specific targets. These tools allow attackers to analyze vast amounts of network data in seconds, identify weak points, and execute multi-stage attacks with surgical precision.

Security blind spots—often stemming from misconfigured cloud services, unpatched legacy systems, and fragmented security architectures—provide the final piece of the puzzle. Many organizations still lack full visibility into their environments, especially in hybrid and multi-cloud setups. This gap allows attackers to operate undetected for extended periods, moving laterally and escalating privileges before triggering any alarms.

The report also highlights a troubling trend: dwell time is shrinking. Where attackers once lingered for weeks or months inside networks, many now complete their objectives in days or even hours. This shift forces defenders to adopt a “breach assumed” mindset, focusing on rapid detection and containment rather than prevention alone.

CrowdStrike emphasizes that combating these threats requires a multi-layered approach: zero-trust architectures, continuous monitoring, AI-driven threat detection, and rigorous identity and access management. The company also calls for greater collaboration between security vendors, governments, and enterprises to share threat intelligence and close the gaps that attackers exploit.

As the cyber arms race intensifies, one thing is clear—defenders must move at machine speed to counter adversaries who already are. The report serves as both a warning and a call to action for organizations worldwide to rethink their security strategies before the next breach becomes their last.

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