A Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) life is rarely simple or easy. Many are concerned about threat actors using AI to attack their organization, while at the same time attempting to convince their leadership to invest in AI as a defensive measure.
A recent LevelBlue report Persona Spotlight: CIO, found that CIOs understand the threat, but many organizations are still behind the curve when it comes to certain aspects of their cyber defense.
CIOs said only 20% believe their organizations are well-positioned to defend against AI-based attacks, and only a similar number reported being highly effective at using AI as a defensive tool.
Even though a low percentage of CIOs are currently confident in their organization’s use of AI, 72% see the technology as a lever they can use to convince their C-Suite peers to invest more in cybersecurity. The CIOs said implementing AI-driven cybersecurity tools will be essential for improving their organization’s threat detection and response capabilities.
The threat of cyberattack is better known at all levels, with 73% of CIOs saying that media reports of high-profile breaches have pushed cybersecurity up the C-suite agenda. This increased awareness – combined with the business case outlined above – gives them a way to secure investment for cyber resilience from decision-makers.
Integrating Business Priorities with Cybersecurity
The survey found that only about 33% of CIOs describe the alignment between their cybersecurity teams and the wider business as “highly effective.” However, this shortfall is on their radar, and almost half reported they will prioritize integrating cybersecurity into lines of business and across all projects over the next 12 months.
CIOs, much like their CISO colleagues, expressed concern over the growth and increasing effectiveness of supply chain attacks. In response, 70% of CIOs are making moderate to significant investments in enhanced software supply chain security. They are also optimistic about AI’s potential to help improve software supply chain management.
The LevelBlue Persona Spotlight: CIO shows that CIOs are finding themselves at a pivotal moment. They see AI reshaping the threat landscape and adding to the tools available to defend against it.
They also recognize that by aligning leadership, embedding cyber resilience across the enterprise, and strengthening supply chain visibility, CIOs can turn AI-driven risk into a catalyst for stronger, smarter security.
Please click here to get the full report, which includes:
- Detailed data charts and benchmarking insights
- Comparative findings across senior leadership roles
- Deeper analysis of AI-powered threat expectations
- Strategic recommendations for building enterprise-wide cyber resilience
If you’re a CIO or work closely with one, this research offers critical insight into how peers are preparing for the AI-driven threat landscape.
