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2025 Purple Knight Report Overview

In a digital landscape where identity integrity is paramount, the latest findings from the 2025 Purple Knight Report have revealed critical security vulnerabilities lurking within hybrid identity systems, particularly in Active Directory, Entra ID, and Okta environments. Conducted by Semperis, a frontrunner in AI-driven identity security and cyber resilience, this report paints a concerning picture of the state of security in organizations of all sizes across various sectors.

Key Findings from the Report

The report indicates that organizations are struggling to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities adequately. The average score reported in the 2025 edition is a disheartening 61 out of 100, which is an 11-point drop from the 2023 report’s average of 72. This decline emphasizes that many businesses still face significant challenges when it comes to protecting their identity infrastructures.

However, a glimmer of hope comes from the fact that organizations that employed Purple Knight's remediation guidance, developed by Semperis' identity security experts, observed substantial score improvements averaging 21 points. Some even boasted gains as significant as 61 points, illustrating the potential for dramatic enhancements in security posture through proper assessments and interventions.

Insights on Security Scores

The scores varied significantly across different organizational sizes. Notably, the largest organizations, those with 10,000+ employees, reported an average score of 73, while smaller entities, defined as those with 0-500 employees, scored an average of 68. However, the most concerning results came from midsized organizations (2,001 to 5,000 employees), which averaged a score of just 52—highlighting their unique struggles due to complex systems and often limited resources.

Sean Deuby, Principal Technologist at Semperis, commented on the findings, noting, "Midsized companies face an uphill battle since their IT professionals are often stretched thin, managing multiple roles without dedicated Active Directory specialists."

Vulnerability Categories and Industry Variations

Among the specific categories of vulnerabilities assessed, the report identified the lowest scores in AD Infrastructure, followed closely by Account Security, Kerberos, Group Policy, Entra ID, and Okta. Such scores reflect a concerning trend indicating that hybrid identity environments are complex, making it easier for threat actors to exploit unseen vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, the report highlighted the dismal scores from various sectors, with the government sector averaging the lowest at 46, followed by retail at 51 and education and transportation sectors at 57. In stark contrast, the healthcare sector managed to secure the highest average score of 66, though still indicating substantial room for improvement.

The Urgent Need for Proactive Security Measures

The glaringly low average scores, especially in critical sectors, underscore the necessity for proactive assessments. Deuby asserted, "Organizations cannot defend what they cannot visualize. The results from the 2025 Purple Knight Report should serve as a wake-up call for companies to proactively evaluate vulnerabilities in their hybrid identity systems before attackers capitalize on them."

Purple Knight is a complimentary tool that assists organizations in assessing their Active Directory security. With over 45,000 downloads to date, it thoroughly examines the environment against more than 185 indicators of potential compromise, producing detailed graphical reports outlining overall and category-specific scores alongside remediation guidance.

User Testimonials - A Call to Action

Despite the sobering statistics, many users have embraced the Purple Knight tool, showcasing its positive impact on their security strategies. One infrastructure team lead mentioned, "Using Purple Knight to scan our 30 Active Directory forests has provided invaluable insights into our permissions and security vulnerabilities."

Similarly, a global administrator reflecting on a past breach noted, "Running Purple Knight opened my eyes to numerous vulnerabilities I wasn't aware existed in our supposedly secure system." Such testimonials highlight the need for vigilance and the willingness to adapt and improve security measures continually.

Conclusion

As organizations increasingly rely on hybrid identity systems, the insights from the 2025 Purple Knight Report reflect an urgent need for enhanced security approaches. Semperis continues to be at the forefront of identity security, empowering organizations to safeguard their critical identity infrastructures with innovative tools like Purple Knight that drive significant improvements in security posture.

In a world where cyber threats are ever-evolving, remaining proactive in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities is not just a best practice; it's essential for survival in today's digital landscape.