Intelligent security to blunt AI threat

TODAY'S THREAT TERRAIN is more complicated than ever.

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

Cisco's 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index is a wake-up call for every security practitioner in this regard. The annual survey reveals that only 7% of organisations in India have achieved a mature level of cybersecurity readiness, up from 4% last year. Despite this modest improvement, overall preparedness remains low as organisations continue to face mounting challenges from hyper-connectivity and emerging technologies such as AI.

It is a common perception that Indian organisations are increasingly aware of cybersecurity risks. However, as cyberattacks grow in scale and sophistication, the risks now extend far beyond data loss—organisations face operational disruption, damage to brand reputation, and erosion of customer trust. Cisco's report indicates that while cybersecurity is a top concern for Indian firms, only a small percentage are truly prepared to defend against modern threats. This suggests a growing understanding of the risk, but a significant gap in actual preparedness.

In fact, this lack of readiness is substantial despite almost 81% of Indian respondents believing a cybersecurity incident will disrupt their business in the next 12-24 months. In the last year, more than half of organisations (57%) suffered cyberattacks, hindered by complex security frameworks with disparate point solutions, the Cisco report said.