CyberEdge Group

94% of organizations are beginning to prepare for quantum computing security risks.

80% of IT security professionals believe AI will significantly reduce the number of people required to perform their current roles.

90% of organizations increased their IT security budgets in 2026, with an average increase of 5.6%.

1 in every 8 IT dollars is allocated to cybersecurity.

Only half of organisations that pay ransoms actually recover their data.

Low security awareness among employees' tops the list of barriers and challenges for IT security teams.

64% of organizations experienced a ransomware attack in the past year.

Among organizations victimized by ransomware, the share that paid a ransom increased from 41% to 55%.

53% of organizations have a board member involved in or leading a cyber risk assessment committee.

Among IT security professionals who expect AI to reduce required headcount, 46% expect this shift to occur within the next two years.

97% of IT security hiring managers are actively seeking candidates with at least one AI-related skill.

Among organizations that paid ransoms, 61% successfully recovered their data, up from 54% the previous year.

54% of organizations are actively developing plans to strengthen their security posture and risk mitigation strategies for quantum computing.

46% of IT security professionals report that AI is contributing to a rise in adaptive and evasive malware.

Only 41% of victimised organisations chose to pay in 2024—down from 63% three years ago.

98% of organisations plan to strengthen their identity security postures this year, with detecting and responding to identity-related threats at the top of the list.

82% of organisations experienced successful cyberattacks in 2024—but only 64% expect the same this year.

Successful ransomware attacks have declined from a peak of 73% two years ago to 63% this year.

Nine in 10 organisations outsource to managed security service providers (MSSPs), with managed detection and response (MDR) at the top of the list

54% of ransom-paying victims recovered their data—down from 73% two years ago.

More than four in five security professionals (84%) prefer security tools powered by artificial intelligence.

Security budgets are projected to grow by just 4.3%, the smallest increase since 2021.