My IT leaders prioritize ransomware and AI, even in the face of existing readiness gaps.

New research from CTERA reveals that enterprise IT leaders are prioritising cybersecurity and cost control, even as their ambitions around artificial intelligence (AI) integration outpace actual readiness for deployment within their organisations. The findings, drawn from CTERA’s 2025 State of Data and Cloud Strategy Survey Report, indicate that 80% of IT and cybersecurity executives are focused on strengthening measures against ransomware, which has become an almost universal threat. Simultaneously, 57% of respondents identified AI as a key priority for the coming year, highlighting an emerging trend towards leveraging advanced technologies despite practical obstacles in adoption and preparedness.

According to the survey, every organisation represented reported being targeted by a ransomware attack in the past two years, underscoring the pervasiveness of this cyber threat. The consequences were significant, with 17% reporting at least partial permanent data loss from attacks, 10% admitting to paying ransoms, and 14% expressing uncertainty about how the incidents were ultimately resolved. The report notes that, despite increased awareness, many organisations remain unable to fully recover and restore critical information once compromised. Cheryle Cushion, SVP Marketing at CTERA, commented on these findings, stating that enterprises are navigating an evolving landscape of IT priorities, trying to balance immediate cybersecurity needs with forward-thinking AI strategies. 

Categories: Cybersecurity, AI Integration, Cost Control 

Tags: Cybersecurity, Cost Control, Ransomware, AI Integration, Data Loss, Cloud Strategy, Predictive Intelligence, Compliance, Security Risks, IT Priorities