AI now powers cybersecurity for 73% of firms amid rising threats
A new report has found that almost three-quarters of organisations globally have already incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) into their cybersecurity defences.
The research, released by Arctic Wolf and conducted with Sapio Research, surveyed nearly 2,000 IT and security decision-makers around the world, highlighting the growing reliance on AI to manage increasing cyber threats and mounting pressure on security teams.
The study found that an overwhelming 99% of respondents indicated AI will influence their cybersecurity purchases or renewals in the next 12 months. Close to four in ten already allocate significant portions of their budgets to AI-powered solutions.
Security team pressures
With cyberattacks rising, security teams are facing thousands of alerts from various, often fragmented, tools and data sources. The volume of alerts, combined with limited staffing, forces teams to make rapid decisions regarding potential threats, raising the risk of missing critical attacks and contributing to analyst fatigue.
According to the report, 87% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in Australia report their teams are stretched to the limit, and more than 60% struggle to keep pace with the influx of alerts. This situation has led many organisations to look to AI as a practical response.
AI technologies are increasingly being deployed to automate routine tasks, improve productivity, and allow security professionals to focus on more severe and complex threats. The report cites examples such as advanced threat detection systems, large language model assistants that support investigations, and automated workflows to streamline analysis and triage.
These solutions are being adopted worldwide, with 73% of surveyed organisations stating they have integrated AI into their cybersecurity approach. Adoption rates are highest in the United States (82%) and in the financial services sector (also 82%), while more risk-averse sectors such as utilities lag behind at 59%.
Human oversight a key factor
"Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity, but it benefits from human expertise to be truly effective. The insights from this report give leaders the data they need to make smart, targeted investments, deploying AI where it can deliver measurable outcomes, cut through alert noise, and help security teams work with greater speed, accuracy, and confidence."
That assessment, offered by Dan Schiappa, President of Technology and Services at Arctic Wolf, was reflected in the report's findings. More than two-thirds of respondents said substantial human input remains essential for AI adoption in cybersecurity. Additionally, 52% anticipated a need to provide additional training for their teams to manage AI-powered tools, and 46% expected analysts' roles would shift towards validation of AI-generated alerts.
Trends and challenges
The study reported that 73% of organisations plan to use AI to automate 24 x 7 security operations in the coming year. Seventy-two percent expect AI to improve their ability to predict and prevent threats, while 70% aim to enhance their detection capabilities through these technologies.
Organisations, however, also pointed to significant challenges in adopting AI solutions. A third of all respondents identified data privacy as their most pressing concern, followed by costs (30%), and the sense that current solutions do not meet all organisational needs (28%).
The findings point to a future where AI and human analysts work in tandem, with automation helping to manage the growing number of alerts and improve response times, while human expertise continues to play a crucial role in interpreting results and addressing complex scenarios.
