New research suggests that a significant divide is emerging within the C-Suite over the adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) within corporations. According to the study by NTT Data, while CEOs and business leaders remain optimistic about GenAI, nearly half of CISOs express concerns regarding security gaps and outdated infrastructure.’ Conducted by Jigsaw Research, the survey gathered insights from more than 2,300 senior GenAI decision-makers, including 1,500 C-Suite leaders from 34 countries.
The report goes on to confirm that almost all respondents planned to increase GenAI investments in the next two years, with 67% of CEOs indicating significant commitments. However, 45% of CISOs hold negative views on GenAI adoption. A notable 54% of CISOs report unclear internal guidelines on GenAI responsibilities, compared to only 20% of CEOs sharing this concern, highlighting a gap in executive alignment.
Despite their reservations, 81% of senior IT security leaders recognise GenAI’s potential to boost efficiency and improve the bottom line. The report also reveals that 95% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) believe GenAI has driven or will drive increased cybersecurity investments. They also acknowledged that improved security was one of the top benefits of GenAI deployment realised in the past year.
“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 NTT DATA senior vice president and global head of cybersecurity Sheetal Mehta.
Operational readiness lags behind GenAI ambitions
Challenges persist, with 69% of CISOs acknowledging that their teams lack the necessary skills to work with GenAI technology. Additionally, only 38% of CISOs feel their GenAI and cybersecurity strategies are aligned, compared to 51% of CEOs. The survey also notes that 72% of organisations do not have a formal GenAI usage policy, and only 24% of CISOs strongly agree their organisation has a robust framework for balancing risk with value creation. Around 88% of security leaders cited legacy infrastructure as a barrier affecting business agility and GenAI readiness.
In addressing these issues, 64% of CISOs are prioritising co-innovation with strategic IT partners rather than relying solely on standalone AI solutions. Security leaders also emphasise end-to-end GenAI service offerings when assessing technology partners, aiming to bridge the gap between leadership vision and operational capabilities.
Read more: CISO role gaining influence as 20% report directly to CEOs, finds survey
