Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage as Businesses Face Growing AI Risks

As we edge closer to 2025, cybersecurity has emerged as the most pressing concern for businesses worldwide. According to the Risk in Focus 2025 report by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors UK and Ireland, 83% of firms now list cyber threats as their top concern. The report highlights how digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the risk landscape for businesses, presenting both opportunities and formidable challenges.

The rapid adoption of AI and other emerging technologies has not only revolutionized industries but also significantly elevated the risks associated with cybersecurity. Anne Kiem, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute, emphasized that while AI offers enormous potential, it also increases the threat of digital vulnerabilities. The growing reliance on advanced technologies like AI, without sufficient safeguards, leaves organizations more exposed to malicious actors and cyberattacks. Events like the Health Service Executive cyberattack in 2021 and the Crowdstrike outage earlier this year serve as stark reminders of how critical cybersecurity has become in today’s tech-driven world.

In addition to cybersecurity, the report found that managing and retaining employees remains a key concern for businesses, with 52% of respondents placing it in their top five risks. However, the rapid rise of AI has outpaced other concerns, jumping from sixth to fourth place in just a year. This leap reflects a growing recognition of AI as a “business-critical risk” that companies must address.

By 2028, AI and new technologies are expected to rank as the second-biggest risk to businesses, with 63% of respondents forecasting this shift. Geopolitical uncertainty, driven by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, also remains a top-five risk for 39% of companies. Meanwhile, climate change, though mentioned by only 33% of respondents, is expected to rise in prominence due to EU regulations like the Corporate Social Responsibility Directive, which mandates environmental reporting starting in 2025.

With these mounting risks, businesses must take proactive measures to safeguard their operations. One way to do this is by partnering with a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) like Directpath Global Technologies (DGT). DGT offers a full range of cybersecurity services tailored to meet the evolving needs of organizations, including Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Vulnerability Risk Management as a Service (VRMaaS), and Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) services. DGT’s advanced Artificial Intelligence Division ensures that their solutions are not just focused on cybersecurity, but also enhance other aspects of a company's operations, making them a valuable ally in today’s volatile business landscape.

As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of digital disruption, it’s clear that cybersecurity and AI will remain at the forefront of their risk management strategies. Organizations must stay vigilant and adopt comprehensive security measures to protect against the rising tide of cyber threats and AI-related vulnerabilities.

Source: Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors UK and Ireland, Risk in Focus 2025, Irish Times