Irish organizations are falling behind their global counterparts in managing cyber risks, according to PwC’s 2027 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey. The report highlights significant gaps in areas like risk management, AI security, and cyber resilience.
Just 17% of Irish business and information security leaders strongly agree that cyber risk is integrated into their organization’s enterprise risk management processes. Globally, that figure stands at 41%. Irish businesses face a critical challenge as they address an evolving threat environment, with only a small fraction effectively incorporating cyber risk into their broader strategies.
AI and Quantum Security: Emerging Challenges
The survey, which polled 3,934 executives across 71 countries, reveals that Irish organizations are also lagging in adopting AI-driven defenses and quantum-resistant security measures. Only 6% of Irish respondents would allow fully autonomous AI agents for cyber defense, compared to 22% globally.
Similarly, just 6% of Irish organizations are implementing quantum-resistant security measures, while 21% of their global peers are taking such steps. These findings suggest Irish businesses may be less prepared for advanced cyber threats.
Incident Response and Investment Priorities
Preparedness for cyberattacks is another area of concern. Only 23% of Irish respondents strongly agree that their organization regularly conducts realistic incident response exercises, compared to 41% globally. This gap indicates a potential vulnerability in Ireland’s cyber defenses.
When it comes to investment, 34% of Irish organizations prioritize spending on protection against AI-enabled attacks, compared to 46% globally. Leonard McAuliffe, Partner at PwC Ireland, emphasizes the need for Irish businesses to integrate cyber risk into broader risk management processes to make better-informed decisions.
Historically, Ireland has faced challenges in keeping pace with global cybersecurity trends, often relying on external expertise to address gaps. This pattern continues as organizations struggle to adapt to new threats like AI manipulation and quantum computing risks.
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Globally, 58% of security leaders rank AI among their top cyber budget priorities for the year ahead. In contrast, Irish organizations appear more cautious, with only 6% willing to fully trust autonomous AI systems for defense. This hesitancy may reflect concerns about AI reliability and regulatory compliance.
Irish businesses are taking steps to strengthen their resilience. 51% plan to enhance third-party and supply-chain risk management, while 49% aim to expand threat intelligence monitoring. However, the report notes that third-party resilience remains a significant challenge, with 91% of organizations globally reporting material obstacles.
AI and Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
Concerns about AI reliability and maturity are prominent, with 69% of Irish respondents citing these as barriers to AI autonomy in security operations. Regulatory compliance (57%) and adversarial manipulation of AI systems (57%) are also significant concerns. Workforce skills in AI oversight and governance are another challenge, with 31% identifying this as a leading barrier.
Quantum Security and Third-Party Resilience
Quantum computing poses a growing threat, with 29% of global companies identifying quantum-computing exposure as a key cyber risk. While 68% of Irish respondents are exploring these measures, the gap highlights a need for accelerated action.
Globally, 91% of organizations report material obstacles in managing third-party risks. These include difficulties enforcing service-level agreements, limited visibility into vendor concentration risk, and challenges in understanding shared security responsibilities.
Managed services are increasingly important, with AI (53%) and cloud security (49%) leading focus areas. As organizations seek specialist expertise, ensuring trust and governance in AI systems is essential. Leonard McAuliffe stresses the need for Irish businesses to improve AI reliability, strengthen defenses against manipulation, and translate regulatory requirements into clear operating guidelines.
Cybersecurity is gaining prominence at the C-suite level, with 43% of Irish respondents strongly agreeing that cyber risk is a standing board agenda item. However, operational continuity remains a concern, with only 39% of global leaders having a fully formalized plan addressing cybersecurity threats.
