Kyndryl & AWS: Why Enterprises Struggle with Cybersecurity

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for businesses across all sectors.
As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, organisations face a growing array of cyber threats that can disrupt operations, compromise sensitive data and damage reputations.
This evolution has placed unprecedented pressure on Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and their teams to protect digital assets while navigating complex challenges such as remote work, talent shortages and budget constraints.
A recent report by Kyndryl, a provider of IT infrastructure services, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), sheds light on the current state of cybersecurity preparedness among large organisations globally.
The study, titled "Cyber Gauge 2024: Navigating the Complex Cybersecurity Landscape", surveyed decision-makers from over 600 organisations with more than 1,000 employees across various industries, including retail, financial services and government sectors.
Challenges facing cybersecurity leaders
The study identifies remote work as the primary challenge for CISOs, with 54% of respondents citing it as a significant hurdle in mitigating security risks.
The shift to remote work, accelerated by the global pandemic, has expanded the attack surface for cyber threats, making it more difficult for organisations to maintain robust security protocols.
- 54% of organisations experienced a disruptive cyberattack in the past year
- 61% of those attacked faced four or more incidents
- 78% struggle with security tool integration
- 69% report lack of support from business leaders for security measures
- 73% of security leaders cite lack of board interest in security readiness
Talent shortages and budget restrictions tie for second place, each mentioned by 43% of respondents.
The cybersecurity industry has additionally long grappled with a skills gap, and the report suggests this issue continues to persist.
Budget constraints further compound the problem, limiting organisations' ability to invest in necessary security measures and talent acquisition.
Employee and customer education needs rank fourth among the challenges, highlighted by 30% of respondents.
This underscores the importance of human factors in cybersecurity and the ongoing need for comprehensive training programmes.
According to the study, inflationary pressures also play a role, with 25% of respondents citing this as a challenge in their cybersecurity efforts.
Frequency of cyber attacks and organisational preparedness
Kyndryl and AWS also highlight a concerning trend in the frequency of cyber attacks.
More than half of the surveyed organisations (54%) reported experiencing a cyberattack that disrupted their IT systems and data in the 12 months preceding the survey.
Even more alarming, 61% of those affected reported having four or more attacks during this period.
These findings highlight the persistent and evolving nature of cyber threats, emphasising the need for continuous vigilance and adaptive security strategies.
The study also uncovers a significant challenge in the integration of security tools.
It says 78% of respondents indicated that managing the interoperability of security toolsets was a challenge.
This lack of integration can lead to blind spots, inefficiencies and inconsistencies in security operations, potentially leaving organisations vulnerable to attacks.
Leadership support and board engagement
Perhaps most concerning is the reported lack of support from business leaders and corporate boards for cybersecurity initiatives.
Kyndryl and AWS point out that 69% of respondents report a lack of support from business leaders for necessary security measures, while 73% of security leaders report a lack of interest from corporate boards in their organisation's security readiness.
This disconnect between cybersecurity professionals and organisational leadership could potentially hinder efforts to implement robust security measures and allocate necessary resources to combat cyber threats effectively.
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