New data reveals that businesses are increasingly struggling to manage cybersecurity threats, particularly those amplified by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). A recent survey conducted by enterprise content management system Storyblok indicates that 90% of the 300 senior security professionals polled reported experiencing at least one security incident over the past year. This situation underscores the growing challenges businesses face as they scale operations while navigating a landscape fraught with new AI-driven security threats.
The survey highlights significant concerns among senior security leaders, with 65% expressing the need to enhance security and threat monitoring practices in the coming year. Following this, 54% identified the escalating complexity of identity and access management, while 50% emphasized the necessity for stronger data protection and privacy controls. However, addressing these needs seems daunting, as half of the respondents pointed to a shortage of talent and skills as a major barrier to improving security measures. Other challenges included the complexity of legacy technology systems (46%), regulatory uncertainties (45%), and budget limitations (42%).
Website security remains a focal point of concern, with only 49% of businesses claiming to be ‘fully prepared’ for potential security incidents. Alarmingly, 39% reported that a security issue had adversely affected their content strategy in the past year. According to the survey, 62% of professionals advocate for prioritizing data encryption and privacy in future website security investments, with user authentication and control (56%) and AI-powered security tools (51%) also noted as critical areas for development.
Human error continues to pose a significant threat to cybersecurity, with 47% of respondents identifying it as a top security risk, alongside hacking and malware attacks (54%) and new risks introduced by AI (45%). Regarding AI-specific threats, a substantial 59% viewed the emergence of AI tools utilized by hackers as a major challenge. Concerns over data generated by AI and compliance risks associated with these technologies were cited by 53% of participants.
When addressing the broader implications of security concerns, 60% of respondents indicated that their ability to scale security operations in alignment with company growth was most impacted. This was closely followed by challenges in managing employee and customer data across different countries (58%) and ensuring safe collaboration with new vendors and partners (49%).
Despite the pressing risks, a significant 76% of businesses rated their security posture as above average, with only 5% admitting to falling below industry standards. However, the reliance on legacy systems, skilled talent shortages, and outdated websites leave many organizations vulnerable.
Looking ahead, the survey predicts that the risk landscape will evolve significantly in the next three to five years. An increasing reliance on AI is anticipated to be the leading factor in rising threats (55%), followed by greater cloud adoption and the complexities it brings (49%), as well as the tightening of global regulatory and compliance requirements (45%). As businesses continue to grapple with these multifaceted challenges, the need for robust security strategies becomes all the more critical.
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