A study by Mayer Brown titled “The Next Organization” surveyed 197 leaders in the financial services sector, revealing cybersecurity as crucial for future-proofing businesses. Nearly 80% of financial services leaders feel unable to plan due to their organisation’s vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Finance’s cyber concern
A staggering 79% of financial institutions and 77% of investment firms cite cyberattack vulnerability as a primary concern affecting their transformation plans. This worry is justified, as cloud intrusions have surged by 75%, according to CrowdStrike.
Cloud computing, enhanced by AI, plays a significant role in transforming operations. However, given the stringent regulations surrounding financial data, keeping information off-premise presents significant risks. For instance, Equifax paid over US$1bn in penalties following a 2017 data breach affecting 150 million consumers.
Raj De, leader of Mayer Brown’s global Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice, notes, “We’re seeing companies, organisations, and nations falling victim to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. There are a lot of moving parts here, and businesses must navigate the complex and evolving landscape of cybersecurity.”
Despite recognising the need for tech resilience—69% of financial institution leaders and 77% of investment firms acknowledge the importance of robust defences against cyberattacks and AI advancements—a gap remains between goals and reality. A significant 72% of financial institution leaders and 73% of investment firm leaders admit their organisations struggle to keep pace with rapid AI developments.
Securing finance’s future
While cybersecurity’s importance grows, a Trend Micro study highlights a worrying communication gap between IT security leaders and C-suites, with IT leaders feeling pressured to downplay cyber risks in boardrooms. This, coupled with a cyber insurance market often failing to cover breach costs, underscores the multifaceted challenge ahead.
AI-powered cyber defences offer hope. Oliver Yaros, a partner at Mayer Brown, states, “AI-powered cybersecurity tools and systems can provide more advanced data protection, diluting threats by recognising patterns, automating processes, and highlighting anomalies.”
The study reveals 77% of investment firms and 69% of financial institutions see the need to demonstrate resilience against cyberattacks and stay ahead of AI advancements. While understanding the threat is essential, action is imperative. Financial firms must address their shortcomings, recognising cybersecurity’s link to growth, to avoid future financial repercussions.
