A Futurum Group survey has underscored the pressing need for organisations to bolster their cyber-resilience in the face of increasing cyber threats. Sponsored by NetApp, the "Cloud, Complexity, AI: The Triple Threat Demanding New Cyber Resilience Strategies," the survey of over 1,300 cybersecurity leaders globally, revealed that more than 54% of organisations experienced a cyberattack in the past 12 to 18 months. Alarmingly, one in five of these companies was unable to recover lost data following such incidents.
Gagan Gulati, general manager for Data Services at NetApp, stated, “The findings clearly highlight the urgency for organizations to rethink their cybersecurity strategies in an era of escalating threats.” He emphasised the necessity for businesses to adopt intelligent data strategies that embed security within their data management frameworks.
Gulati noted, “With data as a company’s most valuable asset, resilient storage solutions serve as the last line of defence in a comprehensive security strategy.”
Key findings
Key findings from the report indicate that misconfigurations and vulnerabilities in hybrid multi-cloud environments are now significant threats, surpassing traditional attacks like ransomware. As reliance on hybrid cloud infrastructures grows, addressing these vulnerabilities has become critical for maintaining data security and operational continuity.
Top challenges relating to cyber resilience
The survey also revealed challenges related to the proliferation of cybersecurity tools; around 70% of respondents reported using over 40 different tools. A staggering 84% identified operational complexity as a major barrier to achieving cyber resilience. This complexity highlights the urgent need for organisations to consolidate their tools and implement integrated solutions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a crucial component in enhancing cybersecurity measures, with 40% of organisations currently utilising AI for threat detection. The report notes plans for expanding AI's role in automating response and recovery processes. However, Daniel Newman, CEO at The Futurum Group, cautioned that effective use of AI requires careful management of false positives and robust human oversight.
Another significant finding is the importance of data classification. Organisations with strong data classification frameworks demonstrated a greater ability to recover from attacks, emphasising its role in cyber resilience. The report advocates for organisations to embed intelligent data infrastructure that not only protects data but also enables real-time anomaly detection.
Looking ahead, over 90% of respondents indicated plans to increase their cybersecurity spending in the next 12 to 18 months, with a focus on integrated and proactive solutions. This proactive investment is seen as essential to counteract the escalating costs associated with cyberattacks.
In conclusion, the report paints a clear picture of the current cybersecurity landscape, underscoring the necessity for organisations to adopt intelligent, integrated strategies to safeguard their data and ensure operational resilience amidst rising threats.