Gartner: 85% See Cybersecurity as Critical for Growth

Risk thresholds have shifted for businesses. Greater geopolitical tension, a broader range of cybersecurity threats and the growth of enterprise technologies like AI has put CEOs in a challenging position. 

According to Gartner’s CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey, growth remains a leadership priority. However, 85% of CEOs surveyed now recognise cybersecurity as critical to enabling this. 

The survey, which collates the thoughts of over 450 global CEOs and senior executives, finds that leaders are increasingly recognising AI as a pivotal force in driving transformation – and a key influence on maintaining an effective and robust security posture. 

It reveals that more than half of CEOs are concerned about cyber threats to their business, and that effective leaders see a direct link between cybersecurity capabilities and enterprise growth.

“Cybersecurity is no longer just about protection; it’s a critical driver for business growth,” says David Furlonger, Distinguished Vice President Analyst and Gartner Fellow. 

“With 85% of CEOs recognising its importance, security leaders have a unique opportunity to demonstrate the value of cybersecurity investments not only in safeguarding assets but also in enabling strategic business objectives.”

Risk concerns rise up the agenda

Risk is a prominent concern for CEOs, according to Gartner, taking a place in the top 10 leadership priorities for the first time since 2017. 

This reflects growing uncertainty about regulatory changes and increased cybersecurity threats that challenge strategic success and competitiveness.

Analysing the shifting risk thresholds, Gartner says that CEOs want a more integrated view of the various risks they face. While three quarters recognise the importance of cybersecurity to growth, 45% of CEOs said they are not comfortable defending a cyberbreach to the press. 

Cybersecurity concerns are a key reason risk reappeared in the top 10 priorities list, with 2024 proving a challenging year for businesses – the World Bank published a report demonstrating the need for organisations to “prioritise cybersecurity in the investment agendas or economic actors”, while a 2024 Statista report predicted cybercrime costs to increase to US$18.8trn by 2028.

“Critically, CEOs are starting to recognise that the nature of the threat itself is changing due to AI’s evolution and deployment, and the rise in geopolitical turmoil,” says Gartner.

How cybersecurity can enable growth

Cybersecurity was recognised as critical for business growth by 85% of CEOs. This is a significant data point, says Gartner, demonstrating the value of effective cybersecurity investments. 

“CEOs must emphasise CIOs are being given agency – not just to project the business, but also to build cybersecurity capacity to propel growth, for example, in the context of assessing the risk of foreign market entry and intellectual property protection,” the company adds. 

It advocates for CIOs to identify and communicate how cybersecurity can drive growth as a priority, in particular looking beyond the capabilities of specific security technologies to demonstrating how solid security supports trust, which can be a critical differentiator for businesses. 

“Effective communication is key,” said David. “CEOs should highlight the role of security leaders in both protecting the business and enhancing cybersecurity to drive growth,” David affirms.

“This involves, for example, assessing risks in foreign markets and intellectual property protection. Security leaders are positioned to significantly influence value generation, and they should communicate how cybersecurity aids enterprise growth.”

The role of AI and recommendations

AI is a leading priority for all leaders surveyed. CEOs say they want to use the technology across five core areas: geographic scope, business and operating models, customer engagement, risk management and talent.

However, Gartner warns that AI also brings challenges and an increased threat envelope, particularly around talent, management and leadership. 

Considering this, it recommends that leaders use risk management as both a defensive tactic and a platform for growth, including coaching where relevant and using outcome-based value templates to assess greater adoption of automated solutions. 

Lastly, to harness cybersecurity as an effective growth enabler, organisations should shift the focus of cybersecurity from a cost perspective around threat protection to one based on analysis and that supports growth.

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