Info-Tech-Research Group has officially published from its new report, which reveals continued escalation in sophistication and frequency of cyber threats has put immense pressure on cybersecurity leaders to adapt and protect their organizations.
Going by the available details, the stated report digs into top priorities security leaders must focus on, moving forward, if they are to enhance cybersecurity readiness and resilience, mitigate cyber risks, and enable new opportunities for sustainable business growth.
More on that would reveal how this lowdown actually draws its basis from extensive research, including Info-Tech’s Future of IT 2025 Survey, which drew insights from hundreds of IT decision-makers, along with in-depth interviews with industry experts.
Leveraging all that data, Info-Tech-Research’s report would outline five critical priorities that cybersecurity leaders should focus on this year to safeguard their organizations against exponential technological evolution.
These priorities include operationalizing of AI security. As AI adoption continues to scale up, it has become critical for organizations to establish responsible AI governance, mitigate security and privacy risks, while simultaneously deploying specialized AI capabilities to enhance security operations. This also includes developing clear policies for secure AI deployment and assessing potential vulnerabilities.
The next priority in line would be to strengthen identity & access management. With a steep rise in identity-based attacks, organizations across the board must scale up their IAM programs. They are also required to implement zero-trust security models, risk-based authentication, and continuous identity verification for protecting sensitive assets and reducing exposure to unauthorized access.
“The world of cybersecurity is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rise of AI-powered threats, increasing regulatory requirements, and advancements in quantum computing,” said Ahmad Jowhar, research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group and lead author of the report. “Cybersecurity leaders must not only defend against these threats but also embrace forward-thinking, proactive measures. A diversified training program to enhance employee awareness of AI-driven threats and a security strategy aligned with industry regulations form the backbone of a resilient and adaptive security posture.”
Then, there is a recommendation to build a resilient vendor security management practice. You see, cybersecurity leaders must adopt a risk-based approach around vendor security assessments, establish continuous monitoring processes, and foster collaboration with stakeholders to address supply chain vulnerabilities. The stated suggestion, interestingly enough, follows up on the growing prevalence of third-party risks.
Another suggestion put forth by Info-Tech’s report relates to defending against deepfakes. Here, companies are highly encouraged to invest in training and technology solutions to detect and mitigate deepfake-driven attacks. Not just that, they must also setup dedicated policies to verify suspicious activities, and at the same time, protect critical assets.
Rounding up highlights would be a suggestion to prepare for a post-quantum era. The stated component is adjudged as a priority because quantum computing actually poses a long-term threat to current encryption methods. Hence, developing quantum-resilient cryptographic strategies and conducting risk assessments will ensure organizations are prepared for the eventual impact of quantum advancements.
Founded almost 30 years ago, Info-Tech-Research’s rise up the ranks stems from producing unbiased, highly relevant research. It is also inspired by the company’s track-record of providing advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. Info-Tech Research has also worked alongside teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance. The company’s excellence in what it does can also be understood once you consider it has, thus far, served over 30,000 IT and HR professionals.