Bi-Monthly Report

Global Cybersecurity: Sentiment and Trends

Around the world, companies are facing up to the challenge s  of global cybersecurity. But between industries, roles and regions concerns differ, with perception about the scale of the challenge remaining deeply variable. Using information collected by GlobalData, we look at the current sentiment of key decision makers and senior management from around the world

Regardless of industry or region, concern about cybersecurity remains high, with the majority of those surveyed expressing significant concern about the issue. Almost 70% said their organisation was either very or extremely concerned about cybersecurity, with only a tiny percentage of respondents not expressing any concern at all.

Organisa tions Remain Concerned about Cybersecurity

However, the level of concern varies significantly depending on the role of the respondent. While all groups expressed concern overall, greater concern was expressed by those in technical positions compared with those in executive-level roles.

Your Role Affects How Much You Worry About Cybersecurity

Executive Team

IT and Engineering

Sales and Marketing

Finance, Purchasing, Operations and Administration

While there are a host of different issues that a cybersecurity breach poses, for most companies the greatest concern is overwhelmingly the exposure or theft of confidential or high-value data. However, many companies are also concerned about the operational impact of an attack, both in terms of immediate productivity and long-term damage to reputation and sales.

Confidential Data Theft is the Greatest Cyberattack Concern

60% Confidentia l or high value data theft/expo sure

18% Productivity losses during an attack

10% Reputation damage

5% Loss of  s ales

4% O ther

3%​​​​​​​  Non-compliance

In light of these concerns, many companies have taken greater steps to tackle the issue, with more than half establishing a specific strategy to tackle cybersecurity, the majority having dedicated IT or cybersecurity personnel and around a third increasing spending to support their response over the last year.

Just Over Half of Companies Now Have a Cybersecurity Strategy

54% Have a cybersecurity strategy


23%  Do  n’t have a cybersecurity strategy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 


23% Don't know


The Majority of Companies Now Have Dedicated Tech Teams 

62% Has dedicated IT/cybersecurity staff


29%  Doesn’ t have dedicated IT/cybersecurity staff​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 


9% Don't know


Most Companies are Maintaining or Increasing Cybersecurity Spending

41% Spending has increased


55%  Spending has  remained largely unchanged​​​​​​​ 

4% Spending has decreased


In general those surveyed also felt that their organisations had done at least a moderately good job of prioritising cybersecurity concerns from the point of view of both IT and the wider business, but there was variation in strength of opinion by role. While executives were most likely to be very positive about their company’s cybersecurity priorities, those in technical positions tended to be more hesitant in their support. By contrast, individuals in other support roles tended to be the most critical. 

Executive Team​​​​​​​

IT and Engineering​​​​​​​

Sales and Marketing

Finance, Purchasing, Operations and Administration

There is variation, too, in sentiment by country. While concern is high across the globe, so  me regions consider cybersecurity to be a greater cause for concern than others.

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Central & Eastern Europe (includes Russia and Turkey)

Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific

Information courtesy of GlobalData: 203 participants surveyed on 5th April 2017


Emoticons designed by Chanut is Industries from Flaticon

Background coded by Manuel Pinto

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03/11/2020 03:29:54
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  • In This Issue
  • Contents
  • News: The latest from the cybersecurity industry
  • Equifax: Companies are Failing to Learn Vital Cybersecurity Lessons
  • UK Security Expo
  • Global Cybersecurity: Sentiment and Trends
  • The Cyber War: The Former FBI Executive Assistant Director on the State of Cybersecurity
  • Spear Phising: From the Email Prankster with Love
  • Globaldata
  • Attack Response: How Companies Respond to Cyberattacks in Data
  • How Winter Came for HBO: Lessons from the Hack
  • Isode: Software for Secure Messaging
  • Digital Superbugs: Tackling Cybercrime in Healthcare
  • Cybercrime Crisis: The Importance of Responsible Crisis Management
  • Sure ID and Accurate Biometrics
  • The Target Hack: Lessons from One of the Worst Corporate Breaches in History
  • Cybersecurity Events for September 2017 and Beyond
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