New ISC2 Study Reveals Impact of AI on Cyber Professionals and Urgent Need for Preparedness

ISC2 to launch AI educational workshops, bringing together industry experts and professionals to share practical solutions for addressing our top AI challenges

Alexandria, Va., February 22, 2024 – ISC2 – the world’s leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals – today announced findings from its latest study, AI in Cyber 2024: Is the Cybersecurity Profession Ready?, revealing the real-world impacts that artificial intelligence (AI) has had on cybersecurity. With responses from more than 1,100 cybersecurity professionals, 88% of respondents believe that AI will significantly impact their jobs, now or in the near future, and 35% have already witnessed its effects. While there is considerable positivity about the role of AI in dealing with cyberattacks, these findings also recognize the urgent demand from professionals for industry preparedness to mitigate cyber risks and safeguard the entire ecosystem.

Key Findings

The cyber profession is still evaluating the full implications of AI technologies.

82% of respondents expressed optimism that AI will improve job efficiency
56% said that AI will make some activities within their job unnecessary, freeing up time for higher-value tasks
75% of respondents are moderately to extremely concerned that AI will be used for cyberattacks or other malicious activities
Deepfakes, misinformation and social engineering are the top three concerns for cyber professionals

There is a growing disparity between AI expertise and the level of preparedness to navigate these concerns.

60% feel confident in their ability to lead their organization’s secure adoption of AI
41% of participants have minimal or no expertise in securing AI and machine learning (ML) technology
82% feel there is a need for comprehensive and specific regulations governing AI’s safe and ethical use.

Despite the concerns, only 27% of participants said their organization has formal policies in place on the safe and ethical use of AI, with 39% stating their organization is currently discussing a formal policy. When asked ‘who should regulate AI’s safe and ethical use,’ the study revealed that cyber professionals are hoping for global coordination between national governments and a consortium of AI experts.

Collaborating for Secure AI Adoption

“Cybersecurity professionals anticipate both the opportunities and challenges AI presents, and are concerned their organizations lack the expertise and awareness to introduce AI into their operations securely,” said ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso, CC. “This creates a tremendous opportunity for cybersecurity professionals to lead, applying their expertise in secure technology and ensuring its safe and ethical use. In fact, ISC2 has developed AI workshops to foster the expert-led collaboration the cybersecurity workforce needs to address this challenge.”

The ISC2 AI Workshop series provides cybersecurity leaders with an in-depth and hands-on look at ways to protect both the use of AI and how AI uses our data through a practical risk management lens. Participants will also explore the implications of emerging and proposed AI regulations and how they will need to be factored into their secure AI adoption strategies. The first event will be hosted in Alexandria, VA, on March 12-13 for an operational session, followed by a strategic session on March 14-15. Registration is now open, with more workshops scheduled throughout the U.S., U.K., Europe, Asia Pacific and the United Arab Emirates.

To learn more about the AI Workshop series here.

Additionally, ISC2 will be sharing the survey findings in an upcoming webinar on February 22 at 1 p.m. ET. Register for the webinar here.

To explore the full study and discover additional findings about whether the cybersecurity profession is ready for AI, please visit: https://www.isc2.org/Insights/2024/02/The-Real-World-Impact-of-AI-on-Cybersecurity-Professionals

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Methodology
The AI in Cyber 2024: Is the Cybersecurity Profession Ready Study is based on online survey data collected in November and December 2023 from 1,123 global cybersecurity professionals.

About ISC2
ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 600,000 members, candidates and associates around the globe are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educate those most vulnerable. Learn more and get involved at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

ISC2 Media Contact:
Amanda Steinman
Senior PR Manager
ISC2
asteinman@isc2.org