Cisco Study Reveals Alarming Deficiencies in Security Readiness | CSCO Stock News

News Summary:

• Cybersecurity readiness remains alarmingly low, with only 4% of organizations worldwide achieving a mature level of readiness.
• Organizations continue to struggle with AI-related complexities, with 86% having experienced AI-related security incidents in the last year.
• An ongoing shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals remains a challenge for 86% of organizations, exacerbating security vulnerabilities.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 7, 2025 – According to Cisco’s (CSCO, Financial) 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index, only 4% of organizations worldwide have achieved the ‘Mature’ level of readiness required to effectively withstand today’s cybersecurity threats. This represents a slight increase from last year’s Index, where 3% of organizations were categorized as Mature. Despite this marginal improvement, global cybersecurity preparedness remains concerningly low as the integration of AI introduces new challenges for security practitioners.

The report underscores a landscape complicated by AI, with 86% of organizations encountering AI-related security incidents within the past year. Alarmingly, only 49% of respondents feel confident that their employees fully understand these AI-related threats. As organizations navigate this evolving threat environment, nearly half (49%) suffered cyberattacks in the last year, compounded by fragmented security infrastructures.

Investment in cybersecurity appears to be deprioritized, as only 45% of organizations allocate more than 10% of their IT budget to this critical area—a significant 8% decrease year-over-year. This budgetary oversight occurs despite 71% of organizations anticipating business disruptions due to cyber incidents in the next 12 to 24 months.

The ongoing talent shortage poses a considerable challenge, with 86% of organizations identifying it as a major barrier to effective cybersecurity. This skills gap, combined with unregulated AI usage and vulnerabilities from unmanaged devices, creates a multifaceted security challenge that demands urgent attention.

Cisco’s research highlights the critical need for organizations to reassess their cybersecurity strategies, emphasizing the importance of streamlining security infrastructures and enhancing AI-related threat awareness. As AI continues to transform industries, prioritizing investments in robust, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions is increasingly vital.