Cybersecurity will dominate IT priorities for the next two to three years, a new study suggests, with 77% of professionals identifying it as their top concern. This insight comes from a global survey conducted by IT and IoT monitoring solutions provider Paessler, underscoring the mounting challenges organisations face in defending their systems against increasingly sophisticated threats.
The survey, which gathered insights from 1,547 IT professionals across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing, also highlights artificial intelligence (34%) and cloud adoption (27%) as key drivers reshaping the IT landscape.
“IT professionals are navigating a period of unprecedented change as AI reshapes cybersecurity and cloud requirements, and similarly reshapes IT roles, as teams are required to implement and secure AI-driven tools, automate processes, and address the increased complexity of AI-powered environments,” said Paessler’s CEO Helmut Binder. “These changes emphasise the growing need for IT professionals to develop a mix of technical, strategic, and cybersecurity skills to keep pace with technological advancements.”
The “Paessler Perspectives” report highlights a persistent challenge for IT teams in managing legacy systems. Despite growing interest in cloud solutions, 76% of IT infrastructure remains on-premises. This dependence on older systems complicates efforts to enhance operational efficiency and maintain security, particularly as data volumes expand.
60% of respondents anticipate transitioning to cloud environments within the next two years. This shift will require IT teams to manage hybrid systems combining on-premises and cloud infrastructure, demanding new skills in system integration and optimisation. While cloud adoption offers scalability and flexibility, it also introduces additional security risks, adding to the complexities IT teams must address.
Cybersecurity risks remain a costly concern, with the average data breach costing organisations approximately $4.88m. In response, IT leaders are adopting advanced technologies to strengthen defences. Automated root cause analysis is being explored by 46% of respondents, while 40% are prioritising observability solutions to ensure system stability and minimise downtime.
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, integrating security measures across IT ecosystems has become critical. IT teams are increasingly focused on proactive detection and rapid response to mitigate operational disruptions and protect organisational assets.
Sustainability ranks low on the agenda for IT leaders, with only 5% of respondents identifying it as a top-three challenge. Additionally, 44% reported that sustainability considerations are not currently included in their IT strategies.
Among those integrating sustainability into their plans, 62% cited cost efficiency as a key motivator, while 37% noted that their organisations’ leadership is beginning to prioritise environmentally conscious practices. Regulatory pressures, however, may push sustainability higher on IT agendas, particularly in designing energy-efficient, resource-optimised infrastructures.
AI investments heighten cybersecurity risks
A recent report from Flexential, a data centre solutions provider, underscores the cybersecurity risks tied to artificial intelligence adoption. According to the 2024 State of AI Infrastructure Report, 95% of IT leaders believe growing AI investments have increased their organisations’ vulnerability to cyber threats.
The survey, which included 350 IT leaders from companies with revenues exceeding $100m, including 100 with revenues over $2bn, highlights significant gaps in securing AI deployments. 40% of respondents noted their cybersecurity teams lack the expertise to protect AI applications and workloads effectively. Additionally, 54% cited the complexity of AI systems as a factor increasing the attack surface, while 39% reported that the storage and processing of more sensitive data have escalated risks.
Read more: 95% of IT leaders warn AI investments increase cybersecurity threats, reveals Flexential report
