On March 21, 2023, Cisco released its first-ever Cybersecurity Readiness Index, and the findings were alarming. According to the index, only 15% of organizations worldwide have achieved a mature level of readiness to handle the security risks of our hybrid world, despite most companies being aware of the threat. The report also states that four out of five (82%) security leaders globally believe that cybersecurity incidents are likely to disrupt their businesses in the next 12 to 24 months.
The index categorizes companies into four stages of readiness: Beginner, Formative, Progressive, and Mature, based on their preparedness across five key pillars and the deployment of 19 security solutions within those pillars. These pillars include threat intelligence, vulnerability management, network security, endpoint security, and identity and access management.
In terms of industry, retail comes out on top with 21% of organizations in the Mature category. This reflects the cybersecurity challenges the industry has faced over the last several years and the pressure regulators are applying to keep financial and personal data safe. Financial services comes in second at 19%, while healthcare, with the enormous challenge of keeping patient records safe, has the third-highest number of organizations in the Mature category at 18%.
The index was developed against the backdrop of a post-COVID, hybrid world, where users and data must be secured wherever work gets done. The report highlights where businesses are doing well and where cybersecurity readiness gaps will widen if global business and security leaders don’t take action. It’s clear that cybersecurity must be a top priority for all organizations, regardless of industry or size. By implementing the appropriate security solutions and continuously assessing and improving their cybersecurity readiness, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks.
