Businesses struggle with security amidst AI threats

The majority of businesses are grappling with adapting and scaling their security measures as they navigate through talent shortages and emerging threats from AI. This observation is based on research conducted by Storyblok, an enterprise CMS provider.

Storyblok’s survey involved 300 senior security professionals from medium to large companies, highlighting the challenges these enterprises face in growing operations while combating new security threats. Among respondents,

1. 65% stated a need to upgrade security and threat monitoring practices.
2. 54% forecasted increased complexity in identity and access management.
3. 50% emphasised the necessity for stronger data protection and privacy controls.

50% acknowledged talent and skills shortages as major impediments to enhancing their security, compounded by legacy tech complexities (46%), regulatory uncertainty (45%), and budget constraints (42%).

Website security remains a significant concern, with only 49% of businesses feeling 'fully prepared' for a security incident. Consequently, businesses are prioritising investments in data encryption and privacy (62%), user authentication and control (56%), and AI-powered security tools (51%).

The primary threats identified by businesses include hacker and malware attacks (54%), human error (47%), and new risks introduced by AI (45%). Specifically, 59% pointed to the use of new AI tools by hackers as a significant challenge, alongside protecting AI-generated data and addressing AI-related compliance issues (both 53%).

Security concerns impact various aspects of companies’ strategies, with 60% citing difficulties in scaling operations alongside company growth. Further concerns include handling international employee and customer data (58%) and collaborating safely with new vendors and partners (49%).

Despite these challenges, 76% of businesses rated their security as above average, though 90% experienced at least one security incident in the past year. Predictions for the next five years indicate that AI usage (55%), cloud adoption (49%), and global compliance requirements (45%) will continue to dominate as key security concerns.

Dominik Angerer, CEO and Co-Founder of Storyblok, reiterated the pressing need for businesses to upgrade tech infrastructure to mitigate these risks and drive both commercial success and robust security. The research underscores the dual necessity of resolving vulnerabilities and furthering strategic objectives like international scaling and content strategy optimisation.