Cybersecurity Top Concern for CIOs

More than four out of 10 (41%) chief information officers (CIOs) report cybersecurity as their top concern, yet these same leaders are simultaneously increasing security budgets (77%), expanding cloud infrastructure (68%), and accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities (67%), according to a new report released by Experis, part of the ManpowerGroup.

“Today's CIOs aren't just playing defense; they're strategically blending security and innovation to create competitive advantage,” says Kye Mitchell, head of Experis US. “The most successful technology leaders are embedding resilience into their digital foundations while simultaneously deploying AI, cloud, and other advanced technologies to outpace competitors. They aren't making tradeoffs; they're transforming their entire approach to technology by creating integrated strategies where digital defense enables rather than restricts progress.” 

Key takeaways:

·       Cybersecurity threats keep 41% of CIOs up at night, making it the concern for tech leaders worldwide.

·        77% of organizations plan to increase cybersecurity budgets in 2025 followed by cloud infrastructure (68%) and AI (67%).

·        76% of IT employers worldwide report difficulty finding skilled tech talent.

·        52% of tech leaders are embedding AI skills into existing roles rather than creating new positions.

·        56% of IT leaders say senior leadership lacks sufficient knowledge about the CIO role and its responsibilities.

·        Just 37% see generative AI as a valuable solution for specific applications today, while 33% remain uncertain about its business impact. This cautious outlook doesn't mean inaction though as most organizations are either actively exploring (33%) or already implementing (27%) AI technologies in some capacity.