Cyber Security Is The CEO’s Biggest Problem

Cyber security continues to be the top concern of business leaders and is the area where leaders feel their knowledge is most lacking, according to research conducted by events and technology company GDS Group

According to senior leaders at the 300 global companies polled on behalf of Meet the Boss, an online round-table platform and subsidiary brand of GDS Group, cyber security remains their top priority. 

The survey asked those in technology leadership roles, “Please rate how relevant / important these hot topics are to your role” and asked respondents to give an importance score out of ten. Cyber Security achieved the highest score of 9.0, closely followed by Cloud Strategy (8.5) and Digital Transformation (8.4). 

What was a surprise, however, was that Internet of Things (IoT) and AI/Automation received the lowest scores (5.0 and 7.5 respectively). When examining the most common cyber security threats, virtually all of them fall under one of the following three categories: human behaviour/error; IT or third-party relationship. In order to reveal any knowledge gaps that might exist, respondents were then asked, “Rate your knowledge level on the following topics”.

The biggest gap between the relevance/importance of a topic and the level of knowledge felt by respondents was revealed in cyber security, with an importance score of 9.0 and knowledge of just 7.2.

As part of the survey, GDS also asked 37 board level contacts what topics they said were the most important to them. In contrast to technology leaders, they rated AI/Automation as one of the most important topics with an extremely high score of 8.0/10.0, indicating a disconnect in priorities down the chain of command.

The research shows that business leaders have a real hunger for knowledge on most topics and are very flexible with how they approach their learning. While there is a small preference for face-to-face learning, they are equally at home learning from digital content, digital training courses and virtual conferences and roundtables.

The survey identified that the most senior technology leaders at major global firms seem incredibly knowledgeable on many of the most important topics, but admit to being less proficient in many of the emerging topics. The survey asked, “Please rate how useful the following are in helping you learn about hot topics.” There was no mode of learning that stood out as a clear winner.

  • Face to face training and digital content got the highest average scores (7.7 and 7.4), despite these being polar opposites in terms of investment (time and money) and degree of interactivity. 
  • Second equal were digital training courses, which strike a balance between ease of attendance and interactivity, written content, which allows self-paced learning, and virtual round tables which achieve high levels of human interaction with only a small investment of time involved.
  • Methods of learning which require little investment of time and money received the same scores as methods which were extremely expensive and time-consuming.

Spencer Green, the founder and chairman of GDS expressed surprised to see that AI and automation are not currently a top priority for technology leaders. “As a relatively new trend, we expect it will climb the ranks as we see more evidence of its ability to transform businesses. The high interest we found among board level contacts in AI/automation provides another indication that this will become a key trend... While interest in cyber security, data, cloud and digital transformation remain as high as ever, so it is vital for us to help our clients to inform and educate business leaders in these areas.” Green said

GDS Insights:        Exhibition World:       MeetTheBoss:           CISCO Investments:      Telegraph:

You Might Also Read: 

Blame The Boss For Cyber Attacks:

 

« Cyber Security Certifications - Online Exam
Warning: Ransomware Attacks On Virtual Classrooms »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

Infosecurity Europe, 3-5 June 2025, ExCel London

This year, Infosecurity Europe marks 30 years of bringing the global cybersecurity community together to further our joint mission of Building a Safer Cyber World.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Blueliv

Blueliv

Blueliv is a leading provider of targeted cyber threat information and intelligence. We deliver automated and actionable threat intelligence to protect the enterprise and manage your digital risk.

Cellebrite

Cellebrite

Cellebrite delivers comprehensive solutions for mobile data forensics and mobile lifecycle management.

UZCERT

UZCERT

UZCERT is the national Computer Emergency Response Team for Uzbekistan.

The Open Group

The Open Group

The Open Group: Leading the development of open, vendor-neutral IT standards and certifications.

Infosistem

Infosistem

Infosistem is a Croatian ICT company with extensive expertise and experience in enterprise and SMB ICT projects and solutions.

Lynx

Lynx

Lynx provides high added value services in the area of information systems security and ICT infrastructure building.

AVORD

AVORD

AVORD is a cloud-based security testing platform that allows clients to manage security testing requirements in a far more productive and efficient way.

Swisscom Blockchain

Swisscom Blockchain

Swisscom Blockchain is focused on supporting the implementation and adaption of Blockchain-based platforms in enterprises across diverse industries.

RISE

RISE

RISE is an independent, State-owned research institute, which offers unique expertise and over 100 testbeds and demonstration environments for future-proof technologies, products and services.

Get Indemnity

Get Indemnity

Get Indemnity are specialist insurance brokers with experience working on a wide range of innovative business insurance products that combine risk management, indemnity and incident response services.

HancomWITH

HancomWITH

Hancomwith is an information security company. We provide optimized blockchain solutions in areas including next-generation authentication, security and digital asset transaction.

Cyvatar

Cyvatar

Cyvatar is a technology-enabled cyber security as a service (CSaaS) provider delivering smarter managed security to help you achieve compliance and security faster and more efficiently.

Vectra AI

Vectra AI

Vectra threat detection & response - see and stop threats across hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises.

443ID

443ID

443ID brings OSINT data to Identity Security professionals on any digital platform.

Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

TII is a UAE-based research center that aims to lead global advances in AI, robotics, quantum computing, cryptography and secure communications and more.

TELUS

TELUS

TELUS provide Canadian businesses with the services and solutions they need to securely thrive in a digital world. Partner with a cybersecurity leader you can rely on.