92% of CISOs Question the Future of Their Role Amidst Growing AI Pressures
May 06 2024 - 8:00PM
Business Wire
Trellix research reveals CISOs under increased
pressure due to the complexity of GenAI and AI implementation,
shifting regulations, and rise in cyberattacks
RSAC 2024 -- Trellix, the cybersecurity company
delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR),
today announced a new report, Mind of the CISO: Decoding the GenAI
Impact, launched in partnership with leading bipartisan research
organization and think tank, the Center for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS). The research reveals insights from a
survey of 500 security executives in North America on how
increasing GenAI and AI use is currently evolving the threat
landscape and the CISO role to reshape the future of cybersecurity
in the workplace.
“GenAI and AI have the potential to both disrupt and enhance
security operations. As the acting gatekeepers - CISOs are under
immense pressure,” said Harold Rivas, CISO, Trellix. “The CISO role
is vital to the organization’s health. Navigating how to embrace AI
while supporting the professionals leading our cyber defenses is
mission-critical for all organizations and national security.”
The democratization of GenAI means it can be used by
professionals at every skill level, bringing with it a range of
benefits as well as potential risks and challenges. This same
democratization makes GenAI capabilities easy to access and
economical for malicious cyber actors. The role of the CISO has
become even more essential as they’re looked upon to navigate this
evolving landscape. With cyberattacks on the rise, AI pressures
mounting, and responsibilities growing, it’s no surprise 90% of
CISOs find themselves under increased pressure. Keeping pace with
AI and GenAI is vital, and almost all respondents said their
organizations could do more.
Increased risk is balanced with the recognized potential for
GenAI to better strengthen and prepare their own cybersecurity
measures, with 91% of CISOs expressing excitement over the
prospects and opportunities. Paving the way for success, almost
half of CISOs surveyed are already working to secure their AI
tools, with 45% developing an AI committee to review AI tools as
well as implementing governance, including security frameworks and
standards.
Notable CISO insights shed light on the challenges along with
the solutions GenAI and AI present in security operations:
- Increase in Attacks: 99% reported a cyberattack in the
past six months, and 82% reported an increase in cyberattacks.
- Better Protection: 91% of CISOs agreed AI can help
protect their organizations from ransomware.
- Increase in Stress: The cybersecurity skills gaps and
the need to recruit new employees with AI experience and knowledge
has increased stress levels, in addition to the requirement to
train current employees on AI.
- Solving the Cyber Talent Gap: 89% of CISOs agree
adopting and integrating GenAI tools will help address security
operations staffing issues within their organization. CISOs also
all agreed any redundancies as a result of GenAI would be
repurposed within the organization focused on managing and
overseeing GenAI tools.
- Demanding Workloads: Current demanding workloads see 91%
of CISOs expressing they don’t have enough time to focus on the
threat of these technologies.
- Increase in Productivity: On average, CISOs believe
GenAI has or could improve the productivity of their organization’s
workforce by 38%.
“CISOs’ concerns over shifting AI regulations have them asking
policymakers for greater regulation around its use, with nearly all
agreeing it’s needed in the next six months,” said James Lewis,
SVP, Pritzker Chair, and Director, Strategic Technologies Program,
CSIS. “This isn’t surprising given the inherent risks and current
potential for increased exposure and liability in their role. There
needs to be clear regulatory rules and compliance standards
applicable across industries to help enable CISOs and their
organizations to develop scalable solutions for global
adoption.”
Learn more about Mind of the CISO: Decoding the GenAI Impact
here. Additional insights will be shared in a live and virtual
event hosted by Trellix and CSIS on Thursday, May 16, 1 - 2 PM
ET.
Trellix’s Mind of the CISO initiative was launched last year to
bring global attention to the needs of the CISO community, driving
cybersecurity and AI best practices. Trellix continuously looks to
support the global CISO community by engaging, listening, and
advocating.
Additional Resources:
- Mind of the CISO: Behind the Breach
- Mind of the CISO
- The Trusted CISO Ally
Methodology Trellix commissioned independent market
research agency Vanson Bourne to conduct a survey of 500 CISOs
across North America to understand their perceived risks and
benefits for using GenAI within security operations at their
organizations. Respondents work across various industries,
including finance, public sector, healthcare (public and private),
manufacturing, energy, oil, gas, and utilities. Most CISOs surveyed
(76%) already use GenAI in their organizations, with most of the
remaining 24% planning to, and 70% of CISOs currently use
traditional AI, with 26% planning to.
About CSIS: Established in Washington D.C., over 60 years
ago, The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a
bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to
providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decision
makers chart a course toward a better world. More at CSIS | Center
for Strategic and International Studies.
About Trellix Trellix is a global company redefining the
future of cybersecurity and soulful work. The company’s open and
native extended detection and response (XDR) platform helps
organizations confronted by today’s most advanced threats gain
confidence in the protection and resilience of their operations.
Trellix, along with an extensive partner ecosystem, accelerates
technology innovation through artificial intelligence, automation,
and analytics to empower over 40,000 business and government
customers with living security. More at https://trellix.com.
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Media Contact Megan Haley media@trellix.com