Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company has released its annual Voice of the CISO report, which explores key challenges, expectations and priorities of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) worldwide.
The 2024 report draws attention to a notable trend: while fears of cyberattacks continue, CISOs demonstrate increasing confidence in their ability to defend against these threats, reflecting a significant shift in the cybersecurity landscape. Almost three-quarters (73%) of surveyed CISOs in the UK feel at risk of a material cyberattack over the next 12 months, compared to 84% the year before and 60% in 2022.
UK CISOs clearly remain on high alert, but confidence among them is growing, just 36% feel unprepared to cope with a targeted cyberattack, showing a marked decrease over last year’s 76% and 65% in 2022.
Human error continues to be perceived as the Achilles’ Heel of cybersecurity, with almost two-thirds (65%) of UK CISOs identifying it as the most significant vulnerability. In a year of growing insider threats and people-driven data loss, more CISOs than ever (65%) see human risk, in particular negligent employees as a key cybersecurity concern over the next two years. However, there’s growing optimism in the role of AI-powered solutions to mitigate human-centric risks, reflecting a strategic pivot towards technology-driven defences.
The report examines global third-party survey responses from 1,600 CISOs from organisations of 1,000 employees or more across different industries. Throughout the course of Q1 2024, 100 CISOs were interviewed in each market across 16 countries: the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, UAE, KSA, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Brazil.
The report offers a vital perspective on the state of cybersecurity from those at the forefront of protecting people and defending data. The report also stresses the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures in the face of economic pressures and the critical role of human factors in organisational cyber-readiness. The survey also measures the changes in alignment between security leaders and their boards of directors, exploring how their relationship impacts security priorities.
“While the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve with increasing human-centric threats, the 2024 Voice of the CISO report highlights what appears to be a pivotal shift towards greater resilience, preparedness and confidence among global CISOs,” said Patrick Joyce, Global resident CISO at Proofpoint.
“This year’s findings underscore a collective move towards strategic defences, including enhanced education, technological adoption and an adaptive approach to emerging threats like Generative AI.”
The 2024 Voice of the CISO report presents an overview of trends observed among the global CISO community, while also taking into account regional differences.
