News Summary:
The rise of AI is sparking a new arms race in cybersecurity, with 80% of Canadian organizations experiencing AI-related security incidents last year.
Readiness levels are concerningly low, as only 3% of organizations report being adequately prepared for potential threats.
Gaps in knowledge persist, with only 41% of organizations having staff who fully comprehend AI risks, while many critical cybersecurity positions remain vacant.
TORONTO, May 8, 2025 /CNW/ – The 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index by Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) reveals only 3% of Canadian organizations are fully prepared to tackle current cybersecurity challenges, despite an uptick from last year’s 1%. This persistent low readiness is compounded by the complexities introduced by hyperconnectivity and AI.
AI is reshaping the security landscape, with 80% of organizations reporting AI-related incidents last year. Phishing scams and social engineering attacks emerged as the predominant threats, affecting 41% of organizations. Additionally, 38% faced attempts to steal AI models, and 22% dealt with data tampering that misled AI systems.
Despite the urgency for AI implementation, a substantial knowledge gap exists, with only 41% of organizations believing their staff fully understand AI threats. Furthermore, only 26% feel confident in executing thorough AI security evaluations.
The expanding threat landscape exacerbates the situation, as 37% of organizations experienced cyberattacks last year. Many foresee external threats from malicious actors and state-sponsored groups (60%) as being more impactful than internal threats (40%). This necessitates more streamlined defenses to combat such external risks.
“AI is unveiling vulnerabilities in cybersecurity that many Canadian organizations were previously unaware of,” stated Cisco’s Chief Technology Officer, Robert Barton. “As AI-induced threats evolve, defenses must keep pace—it’s essential to adapt or risk becoming obsolete in this AI-driven era.”
