Nearly half of the organizations acknowledge a stark inadequacy in their IT and cybersecurity personnel, according to a study from SonicWall.
The 2023 SonicWall Threat Mindset Survey engaged industry experts and professionals, gathering responses from approximately 10,000 global customers to gauge their perception and preparedness in the face of escalating cyber threats.
Bob VanKirk, President and CEO of SonicWall, commented:
"Understanding our partners and customers' greatest concerns is at the heart of SonicWall’s outside-in strategy. The data from the 2023 SonicWall Threat Mindset Survey helps keep our finger on the pulse of what truly matters to our valued customers. As organizations around the globe struggle with economic declines, political strife, and digesting technological advances like AI and cloud – cybersecurity needs to remain at the center of it all.”
Key Findings from SonicWall’s 2023 Threat Mindset Survey
Ransomware and Digital Threats in the Spotlight
The survey’s results indicate that 55% of SonicWall’s customers have a heightened concern about cyber threats this year, particularly emphasizing the risks posed by digital attacks such as ransomware and spear phishing. Among the participants, 83% identified ransomware as their most significant concern, with phishing and spear-phishing attacks (76%), and encrypted malware (64%) also ranking high on their list of cybersecurity challenges.
Slow Response to Patching Vulnerabilities & Insider Threats
Despite the growing awareness of cyber threats, the survey reveals a concerning trend in organizational response times to vulnerabilities. A considerable 78% of organizations do not patch critical vulnerabilities within 24 hours of a patch becoming available, and an additional 13% apply critical patches only when their schedule permits.
Insider Threats: A Rising Area of Concern
The survey underscores a growing apprehension regarding insider threats, with 49% of IT professionals identifying it as an area of increasing concern. The data suggests that larger organizations may be particularly vulnerable to potential insider threat incidents, highlighting a critical area of focus for cybersecurity efforts.
Addressing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap
The stark inadequacy of cybersecurity personnel, as highlighted by the survey, emphasizes the urgent need for organizations to invest in recruiting and training skilled professionals, according to SonicWall. With the sophistication of cyber threats on the rise, having a robust team of cybersecurity experts is paramount for safeguarding organizational assets and infrastructure, the authors explained.
The survey not only brings attention to the digital risks of cyberattacks but also their tangible impacts on essential infrastructure and services. As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, organizations are encouraged to proactively enhance their cybersecurity defenses to mitigate risks and protect their digital environments, said SonicWall.
