A misalignment exists among C-Suite leaders regarding business goals and operational readiness for the deployment of GenAI, according to NTT DATA's new report, "The AI Security Balancing Act: From Risk to Innovation."
The report found that CEOs and business leaders are committed to GenAI adoption but lack the necessary guidance, clarity and resources to address security risks and infrastructure challenges associated with deployment.
The C-Suite disconnect
According to the report, an overwhelming 99% of C-Suite executives plan further GenAI investments over the next two years, with 67% of CEOs planning significant commitments.
Most (95%) CIOs and CTOs report that GenAI has already driven, or will drive, greater cybersecurity investments. Organisations ranked improved security as one of the top three business benefits realised from GenAI deployment in the last 12 months.
Despite the overall optimism, the report reveals a significant issue. 45% of CISOs expressed negative sentiments toward GenAI adoption, highlighting the urgent need for clear internal guidelines or policies on GenAI responsibility. This is a concern shared by over half (54%) of CISOs, compared to only 20% of CEOs.
Despite the cautious approach towards GenAI deployment, 81% of senior IT security leaders with negative sentiments still agree on one thing-GenAI has the potential to significantly boost efficiency and positively impact the bottom line.
Cybersecurity and genAI adoption
"As organisations accelerate GenAI adoption, cybersecurity must be embedded from the outset to reinforce resilience. While CEOs champion innovation, ensuring seamless collaboration between cybersecurity and business strategy is critical to mitigating emerging risks," said Sheetal Mehta, senior vice president and global head of cybersecurity at NTT DATA, Inc.
The report, which includes data from an NTT DATA survey of more than 2,300 senior GenAI decision makers comprising 1,500 C-Suite leaders across 34 countries,
