DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LevelBlue, a leading provider of managed network security services, managed detection and response, strategic consulting, and threat intelligence, today released its 2024 LevelBlue Futures Report: Cyber Resilience in U.S. State and Local Government and Higher Education (SLED). The research reveals deep-seated barriers and inconsistencies in how U.S. state, local government, and higher education leaders prioritize cyber resilience issues, balancing technological innovation while facing evolving threats from cybercriminals weaponizing the latest technologies.
Today's U.S. SLED organizations operate in a climate where vital systems can be disrupted within minutes, compromising public services and sensitive data. While emerging technologies offer significant opportunities, such as improved data management and easier access to critical information, they also introduce new security challenges. For example, 83% of respondents anticipate that dynamic computing will enhance operational performance within the next three years, yet 86% acknowledge the increased exposure to risk. However, 3 in 4 (74%) respondents believe the benefits of computing innovation outweigh the cybersecurity risks.
Fortunately, 79% of U.S. SLED leaders expect earlier involvement of cybersecurity in computing projects, indicating a shift towards proactive measures. This positive trend, coupled with the fact that 63% of respondents report being a cautious or late adopter of artificial intelligence (AI), suggests a moderate level of preparedness. Compared to 2023 research, there is also a notable increase in resources dedicated to security - growing from 24% to 37%. Digital innovation drives business priorities, but cybersecurity resilience is essential for maintaining stakeholder trust. U.S. SLED organizations can prioritize resilience by fortifying defenses, mitigating risks, and ensuring long-term viability in an evolving threat landscape.
“As cyber threats grow in sophistication and frequency, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting government and educational institutions, where the consequences of a breach are far-reaching. The rise in attacks has made it clear that traditional security measures are no longer sufficient to protect against evolving threats,” said Theresa Lanowitz, Chief Evangelist of LevelBlue. “U.S. SLED leaders must adopt a comprehensive approach to ensure overall cyber resilience. LevelBlue is committed to helping them achieve their resilience goals while eliminating any added complexity.”
Given the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, U.S. SLED is using 15% more outside resources than any other industry, with nearly half (47%) turning to Cybersecurity-as-a-Service (CSaaS) as a solution. This approach allows them to leverage specialized expertise that may not be available in-house, ensuring that security is integrated into every facet of their operations.
Additional key findings include:
- 66% indicate that digital transformation is an ongoing barrier to cybersecurity resilience.
- 70% believe cybersecurity is an afterthought in their organizations, with another 67% stating efforts are often siloed.
- 69% of respondents report cyber resilience is primarily the responsibility of cybersecurity teams and is not an organization-wide priority.
- 55% of respondents reveal there’s a lack of understanding about cybersecurity at the board level.
- 59% of respondents say leadership doesn’t prioritize cyber resilience, and 68% admit that their governance team doesn’t understand it.
- 36% of respondents say cybersecurity is typically included in computing planning, while just 43% say it is included in corporate strategy discussions.
- 72% are struggling to find the external guidance they need.
Achieving cyber resilience is paramount to safeguarding the U.S. SLED sector from the relentless onslaught of cyber threats. As a trusted advisor, LevelBlue outlines five steps to future cyber resilience; identifying barriers, being secure by design, aligning cyber investment with business; building a support ecosystem; and transforming cybersecurity strategies.
Visit this link here to dive further into the findings of the 2024 LevelBlue Futures Report: Cyber Resilience in U.S. SLED. This research concludes a series of seven reports analyzing individual industries following the release of the core 2024 LevelBlue Futures Report in May 2024.
For more information on LevelBlue and its managed security, consulting, and threat intelligence services, please visit www.levelblue.com
Methodology
The research is based on a quantitative survey that was carried out by FT Longitude in March 2024. There were a total of 1,050 C-suite and senior executives surveyed, across 18 countries and seven industries: energy and utilities, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, transportation, and US SLED (state, local government, and higher education). Respondents were employed in a variety of cybersecurity-related roles, with 32% working at C-level and the remainder employed in C-minus one positions. The total number surveyed in SLED were 150.
About LevelBlue
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We harness security data from numerous sources and enrich it with artificial intelligence to deliver real-time threat intelligence, which enables more accurate and precise decision making. With a large, always-on global presence, LevelBlue sets the standard for cybersecurity today and tomorrow. We easily and effectively manage risk, so you can focus on your business.
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