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More than four-fifths of security and finance leaders expect their organizations’ cybersecurity budgets to increase over the next year, as businesses confront new risks tied to artificial intelligence, according to a PwC survey released earlier this month.
The consulting firm’s 2027 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey found that 84% anticipate higher cybersecurity spending, up from 78% last year. Meanwhile, 58% of security leaders rank AI among their top cybersecurity budget priorities.
The global survey captured responses from 3,934 business and technology executives across 71 countries and territories.
Despite plans for increased investment, the findings point to gaps in preparedness. Just 39% of security, risk and operations leaders said their organizations have a fully formalized and integrated operational continuity plan that specifically addresses cyber risks.
Half of security leaders identified attacks targeting AI systems among the threats their organizations are least prepared to address, followed by cloud-related threats at 40%, third-party breaches at 34% and ransomware at 33%.
Businesses also remain cautious about giving AI tools greater control over cybersecurity operations. Only 22% of security leaders would authorize AI agents to carry out cyber defense tasks fully autonomously.
Among barriers to greater autonomy, 55% cited the reliability and maturity of AI technology, while 46% identified accountability and the ability to explain AI decisions.
The survey also found that fewer than half of respondents strongly agree that cybersecurity risk is a standing agenda item at board meetings, at 47%, or executive leadership meetings, at 45%.
