The document highlights the significant disconnect between corporate leadership and IT/security teams regarding the perception of cyber-attack threats, with only 12% of C-suite executives acknowledging a probable attack within three months compared to one third of security professionals. It stresses the critical need for alignment on cybersecurity priorities to better protect essential assets and secure necessary funding to combat rising threats. Overall, a unified strategy is vital to mitigate vulnerabilities and enhance organizational resilience against cyber attacks.

1. Cyber-attacks
Cyber-attacks are increasing every day –
are corporate leadership and security in
sync on how to fight them?
If they cannot agree on how important it is,
how can they agree on how to fight it?
In a cyber-world where defenses must
concentrate on the most important
assets – it is dangerous to be split on
what is important.
IT ranks cyber-security the number #1 issue –
but less than 1 out of 20 C-suite execs agree.
The C-Suite is worried about the reputation
of the firm – IT/Security is more focused on
data and operational issues.
One third of security professionals believe there
will be a successful attack within three months.
Only 12% of C-Suite execs agree.
Who is not getting the message?
ARE WE GOING TO BE ATTACKED?
Protecting against
cyber attacks
Acquiring new customers
Ensuring regulatory compliance
Launching new products & services
Supporting global growth
Fostering innovation and creativity
Growing internationally
Reducing costs
Meeting sustainability goals
Hiring and keeping the best people
35%
13%
12%
14%
13%
9%
7%
16%
16%
11%
7%
3%
3%
4%
5%
33%
12%
6%
6%
8%
6%
5%
DO CYBER-SECURITY MEASURES
HURT PRODUCTIVITY?
The C-Suite believes that they do. But the IT
department is not aligned on how much
productivity is impacted.
How does cyber-security impact the operations of your
company? (% who agree with statement)
Too much management time
Reduces employee efficiency
Slows competitive response
Stifles innovation
Absorbs to much capital
The result – IT executives are not going to
be getting the funding that they believe is
necessary to fight hacking, cyber-crime,
and cyber-espionage.
How likely is it that your firm will experience a severe and successful breach within 90 days?
C-Suite
Security executives
The lack of a common perspective or
strategy on cyber-attacks is leaving
firms critically vulnerable. The wrong
assets are being protected, firms’
operations are being hurt, and
security is being underfunded
relative to the threat.
BRIDGING THE CYBER-CHASM
RESOURCES REQUIRED TO FIGHT CYBER ATTACKS
54%
25%
46%
23%
43%
23%
45%
22%
32%
24%
IT corporate priorities C-suite corporate priorities
25%
16%
14%
6%
13%
7%
12%
25%
10%
20%
8%
14%
6%
1%
Our reputation with our customers
Private intra-company communications
Strategic plans and initiatives
Regulated data
Customer information
Applications and services
Product specifications and pricing
The most important assets to be protected C-suite IT
PRIORITY
WHAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED?
C-suite IT
27%
7%Executive who foresee
major increase in
security budget
C-suite IT
The C-Suite and security functions need to
become aligned on cyber security – the most
critical technology issue facing them today.
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