Dive Brief:
- CISOs exhibit a modicum of skepticism compared to CEOs regarding the efficacy of AI in bolstering cyber defenses, as highlighted in a recent report.
- Approximately 30% of CEOs posit that AI will significantly enhance their cybersecurity efforts, while merely 20% of CISOs share this optimism, according to findings from Axis Capital.
- The study also uncovers a transatlantic disparity in perceptions regarding the advantages of AI and the potential risks posed by AI-induced cyber threats.
Dive Insight:
Axis Capital’s report elucidates a compelling narrative of discord within corporate leadership, as CISOs and CEOs articulate divergent perspectives on the significance of AI within their operational frameworks.
A notable two-thirds of CEOs express confidence in AI’s capacity to inform cybersecurity decisions, in contrast to 59% of CISOs.
While CEOs harbor greater concerns regarding the threat of data leakage tied to AI (29% versus 17%), CISOs are decidedly more apprehensive about the intricate issue of shadow AI (27% versus 17%).
Furthermore, U.S. CEOs demonstrate a propensity to believe that their organizations can swiftly address AI-driven cyberattacks, exceeding their CISO peers in this regard.
Simultaneously, American CEOs convey heightened anxiety regarding the implications of AI-powered cyber threats compared to their CISO counterparts.
The foundation of Axis Capital’s report lies in surveys conducted with 138 U.S. CEOs, 112 U.S. CISOs, 123 U.K. CEOs, and 127 U.K. CISOs, all hailing from companies with a minimum of 250 employees.
The report delineates stark differences in how American and British executives perceive AI. In the United States, a robust 88% of CEOs advocate the belief that AI will enhance the security framework of their organizations, whereas only 55% of U.K. CEOs concur.
Notably, British CEOs are fourfold more likely to express a lack of faith in AI’s protective advantages (33% compared to 8%).
Numerous transatlantic divides concerning AI and cybersecurity emerge from the report.
Firstly, the agreement level among CEOs and CISOs regarding AI’s value diverges markedly. In the U.S., both CEOs and CISOs exhibit approximately equal confidence in AI’s role in aiding cybersecurity decisions, with 83% of both factions expressing trust.
Conversely, in the U.K., nearly half of CEOs assert confidence in AI, whereas merely 37% of CISOs echo this sentiment.
Additionally, a marked difference surfaces in preparedness to confront AI-driven threats. American executives display considerably greater confidence than their British counterparts (85% compared to 44%), likely a reflection of their higher propensity to hold cyber insurance policies (94% versus 68%).
Source link: Cybersecuritydive.com.
