2024 CDW Cybersecurity Research Report: Zero Trust, Employee Training Among the Critical Cybersecurity Strategies for Organizations
CDW has released its 2024 Cybersecurity Research Report, highlighting the need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. The survey of over 950 U.S. tech and security professionals revealed that 88% feel somewhat or very confident in their cybersecurity visibility. However, 49% still feel only somewhat prepared for breaches. Key findings include the effectiveness of identity and access management (IAM) solutions, the significance of zero trust, and the need for better employee training and budgetary resources. Notably, 43% of respondents experienced breaches costing $1-$10 million. CDW emphasizes a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity to enhance visibility, control, and risk reduction.
- 88% of respondents are confident in their cybersecurity visibility.
- 61% find IAM solutions very effective in enhancing visibility.
- 41% of respondents have reached an advanced level in their zero-trust journey.
- 76% believe showing the cost of a data breach is effective for securing additional cybersecurity investments.
- 49% of respondents feel only somewhat prepared to handle a breach.
- Only 12% of respondents feel they have achieved an optimal level of zero trust.
- 43% of respondents experienced breaches costing between $1 million and $10 million.
- 31% cite insufficient employee cybersecurity training as a major issue.
- 27% cite a lack of budgetary resources as a significant challenge.
CDW’s security report highlights the importance of organizational buy-in, improved readiness and visibility across the cybersecurity landscape.
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly advancing and undergoing significant shifts driven by evolving threats, technological advancements and changing market dynamics. 88 percent of respondents said they are somewhat (50 percent) or very (38 percent) confident that they have sufficient visibility into their cybersecurity posture. Of those who were very confident, 61 percent indicated that identity and access management (IAM) solutions were very effective in enhancing visibility into their environment. Despite the confidence around visibility, about half (49 percent) of respondents still feel only somewhat prepared to handle a breach.
“Overall, this study reinforces the importance of maintaining cybersecurity vigilance through a multi-layer approach,” said Stephanie Hagopian, vice president of security at CDW. “As the survey data shows, and what we see with our customers, keeping pace with the threat landscape and leveraging IAM solutions help improve visibility and enhance control over access to critical systems, but only represent one vector within a multi-faceted security strategy. The best approach also requires multiple security tools and platforms to effectively defend and protect against threats. It’s ultimately the combination of these elements into a comprehensive strategy that drives confidence, the right outcomes and ultimately reduces risk.”
One aspect of critical strategy for cybersecurity is zero trust. Survey results indicated that over 41 percent of respondents have reached an advanced level of maturity in their zero-trust journey, yet just 12 percent reported feeling that they have achieved an optimal level. Additionally, more than 43 percent of respondents indicated they had suffered a breach costing between
“These results are aligned with what we’ve been seeing over the past couple years,” said Buck Bell, director of CDW’s Global Security Strategy Office. “Organizations are operating under the assumption that even if they haven’t been compromised, a breach is likely inevitable at one point or another. In a sense, that’s the entire basis of zero-trust.”
The 2024 CDW Cybersecurity Research Report found that insufficient or ineffective employee cybersecurity training (31 percent) and budgetary resources (27 percent) are two of the biggest items missing from respondents’ cybersecurity approach. In making the case for funding, 76 percent of respondents indicated that showing the cost of a data breach was an effective method in making the case for additional investments in cybersecurity.
"CDW and its customers tackle these issues daily, working together to build resilience strategies, stay a step ahead of the evolving landscape and successfully deliver on business outcomes,” said Bell. “By applying a more holistic view of the enterprise, and examining cyber risks as business risks, we're able to help customers better quantify the potential impacts and evaluate solutions through a risk lens with both business needs and financial impacts in mind."
Please visit CDW.com/2024CybersecurityReport for a copy of the complete report. For more information about CDW’s cybersecurity capabilities and offerings, please visit CDW.com.
About CDW
CDW Corporation is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in
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Kelly Caraher
Director, Corporate Communications
mediarelations@cdw.com
Source: CDW
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