New research from managed security services provider LevelBlue explores how technology leaders are navigating cyber resilience in an era of rapid digital transformation and AI.
It shows that AI is fueling innovation and operational efficiency, yet it is simultaneously expanding the threat landscape. While CIOs are moving aggressively to modernize security capabilities, many acknowledge their defenses are still catching up to adversaries using AI.
CIOs overwhelmingly view AI as central to competitive advantage, with 71 percent saying their adaptive cybersecurity approach enables the organization to take greater risks in innovation. However, 51 percent believe AI-powered attacks are likely within the next 12 months but only a third say their organization is prepared to manage that threat. 72 percent say AI-driven security tools will be essential to improving detection and response.
Interestingly bad news can be good news as 73 percent say publicized attacks have elevated cybersecurity discussions at the executive level, creating new opportunities for CIOs to influence strategy and funding. Despite this 47 percent say executive leadership not prioritizing cyber resilience is a barrier to improvement and 49 percent don’t believe business risk appetite is aligned with cybersecurity risk management.
Software supply chain risk is a major concern for CIOs. 56 percent believe software supply chain attacks are imminent, yet just 22 percent say they have a highly effective view of the software supply chain.
The report does show a shift in investment priorities, 80 percent say they’re strengthening cyber resilience processes across the business, while 78 percent are prioritizing application security to address expanding attack surfaces. AI is central to these strategies, with 76 percent investing in machine learning for pattern matching to improve threat detection and 70 percent deploying generative AI to counter more sophisticated social engineering attacks.
When it comes to guarding the supply chain 70 percent are making moderate to significant investment in enhanced software supply chain security. Only 25 percent say AI has introduced additional risk to the software supply chain since adoption, suggesting confidence in its long-term potential to improve resilience.
“CIOs sit at the intersection of innovation and risk,” says Kory Daniels, chief security and trust officer at LevelBlue. “AI presents enormous opportunities to drive efficiency and growth, but it also increases adversary sophistication. Organizations that modernize security operations, strengthen supply chain transparency, and align executive priorities will be better positioned to lead confidently in an AI-driven economy.”
You can read more and get the full report on the LevelBlue blog.
Image credit: putilich/depositphotos.com
