World Economic Forum published the Global Cyber security Outlook 2022
- In 2021, the Center engaged over 120 global cyber leaders to generate high-level insights on emerging cyber threats.
- Taking the global pulse on the state of cybersecurity is essential to clearly identifying the emerging risks and developing actionable solutions to address them.
- The aim of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis of the challenges that security leaders are dealing with, the approaches they are taking to stay ahead of cybercriminals and the measures they are implementing to enhance cyber resilience not only within their organizations but also within the wider ecosystem.
Context
- The Global Cybersecurity Outlook will be an annual report highlighting the trends and progression as organizations begin to shift from a cyber-defensive posture to a stronger cyber-resilience position.
- Security-focused leaders must be able to communicate their risk and mitigation strategies effectively and clearly to business leaders.
- It is a survey of 120 global cyber leaders from 20 countries across the World Economic Forum Cybersecurity Leadership Community and the Accenture Cybersecurity Forum
Objective
- It aims to gain a global perspective on how cyber resilience is being perceived and implemented, and how they can better secure our ecosystems together.
- To build an ecosystem resilient enough to withstand and not falter in today’s environment will need a unified approach.
- To provide insights and solutions to build stronger ecosystems from which organizations can benefit, learn from and move into this highly connected and digital future with confidence.
Methodology
Data is gathered from 4 sources :
- First - a survey of global cyber leaders.
- Second - Cyber Outlook Series sessions conducted by the World Economic Forum throughout 2021.
- Third - the team held multiple interviews with experts and bi-lateral meetings.
- Fourth - data has been collected from reports, research and articles published by the World Economic Forum and reputable third parties.
Key findings
- 81% of respondents believe that digital transformation is the main driver in improving cyber resilience.
- 3 main and critical perception gaps -
- Prioritizing cyber in business decisions : 92% of business executives agree that cyber resilience is integrated into enterprise risk-management strategies, only 55% of security focused leaders surveyed agree with the statement.
- Gaining leadership support for cybersecurity : 84% of respondents share that cyber resilience is considered a business priority but only 68% see cyber resilience as a major part of their overall risk management.
- Recruiting and retaining cybersecurity talent : 59% of all respondents find it challenging to respond to a cybersecurity incident due to the shortage of skills within their team.
- The threat of ransomware continues to grow : 80% of cyber leaders stressed that ransomware is a dangerous and evolving threat to public safety.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) : seen as a key threat to supply chains, partner networks and ecosystems.
About World Economic Forum
- The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for public-private cooperation.
- Mission:
- Committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.
Conclusion
- As digitalization continues to proliferate and new technologies are introduced cyber risk will inevitably grow.
- Frontier technologies like AI, robotics, quantum computing, the ever-evolving adoption of the internet of things (IoTs), cloud computing, blockchain and remote working/distance learning models represent the future of our digital world.
- One of the most pressing risks in the longer term is quantum computing. Quantum computing could crumble the current encryption on which most enterprises, digital infrastructures and economies rely.
- This is a critical risk that could introduce more harm than benefits if the risks are not addressed in a timely manner at the national and global levels.