Survey reveals CISO job anxiety amid security concerns

A recent survey from Portnox and Wakefield Research reveals concerns among CISOs at large enterprises about job security and the effectiveness of current cybersecurity measures.

The survey, which gathered responses from 200 CISOs at companies with annual revenues over USD $500 million, highlights the increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats challenging these organisations as they prepare for 2025.

A prominent worry among surveyed CISOs is job security, with 99% expressing anxiety about losing their positions following a data breach, and 77% being very or extremely concerned. The pressure on these security leaders is considerable as they strive to safeguard their enterprises.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), a standard in organisational security strategies, is under scrutiny. A substantial 85% of CISOs voiced apprehensions about its ability to counter sophisticated attacks. The challenges cited include issues like password fatigue, insider threats, and phishing.

Despite the growing preference for passwordless authentication as a more robust security measure, only 7% of the surveyed organisations have fully embraced it. Key obstacles to implementation include cost, complexity, and employee resistance.

Network Access Control (NAC) remains essential to Zero Trust frameworks, with more than four out of five CISOs planning to increase investment in this area over the next year.

The survey indicates a unanimous agreement among CISOs (100%) that Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) has not fully met expectations, with many companies still in early adoption phases.

Regulatory compliance poses additional challenges, as 90% of those surveyed find it difficult to keep abreast of ever-evolving compliance requirements like NIS2.

CISOs are also concerned about cyber insurance. 58% are uncertain if their policies provide adequate protection against significant threats, such as supply chain attacks, leaving many organisations potentially vulnerable.

Breach prevention remains paramount, with 86% of CISOs focused on stopping breaches, though many doubt their current security measures' capability against emerging threats.

Denny LeCompte, CEO of Portnox, commented on the survey results: "CISOs today are under immense pressure to do more with less, while the stakes have never been higher.

"The survey results underscore a clear reality: security leaders need tools that not only protect their organizations but also provide peace of mind in an increasingly hostile environment," he said.

The Portnox Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 200 US CISOs at companies with a minimum annual revenue of $500 million with representative quotas set for company size, between August 29th and September 9th, 2024, using an email invitation and an online survey.