AI Takes Centre Stage as Companies Boost Cybersecurity Investments, PwC Report Reveals
In a fast-evolving digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as the top investment priority for global business and cybersecurity leaders seeking to strengthen their defences against rising cyber threats. According to PwC’s newly released 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey, organisations are directing more resources toward AI-driven security solutions to bridge cyber talent gaps and build stronger, more resilient systems. The report—based on interviews with 3,887 executives across 72 countries—reveals that fewer than half of security leaders believe their organisations are “very capable” of withstanding cyberattacks, highlighting a widening preparedness gap as AI and quantum technologies reshape the threat landscape.
PwC’s findings show that while 55 per cent of organisations rate themselves as “very capable” in managing authentication and access controls, vulnerabilities persist across connected devices (48 per cent), legacy systems (45 per cent), and supply chains (43 per cent). These weak spots leave many enterprises exposed, even as they ramp up digital transformation initiatives. Femi Osinubi, Consulting and Risk Services Leader at PwC Nigeria, emphasised the urgent need for Nigerian businesses to integrate AI into their cybersecurity frameworks. “AI presents a powerful opportunity to strengthen cyber defence, but success depends on addressing the skills gap,” he said. “Combining advanced technology with local talent development is essential to protecting Nigeria’s digital economy.”
Globally, executives are recognising the need to align cybersecurity with broader business strategy. Sean Joyce, PwC’s Global Cybersecurity and Privacy Leader, noted that resilience “comes from foresight, not hindsight.” He urged organisations to ensure that cybersecurity leaders—particularly Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)—have a strategic voice at the executive table. “The companies that will lead in the future,” he said, “are those investing in cyber not just to respond, but to anticipate.” The report underscores that proactive investment in AI skills and infrastructure will be the defining factor in how organisations navigate future cyber challenges.
Budget trends further illustrate this growing commitment. Nearly 78 per cent of companies plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets in 2026, with one in three projecting growth of up to 10 per cent. Among specific spending priorities, AI investment (36 per cent) outpaces cloud security (34 per cent), network security (28 per cent), and data protection (26 per cent). Almost half of security leaders (48 per cent) said they are focusing on AI threat-hunting capabilities, while 35 per cent are exploring agentic AI—a new generation of self-directing AI tools that detect and neutralize threats in real time.
Despite these advances, workforce shortages remain a critical obstacle. Half of the surveyed organisations admitted they lack sufficient knowledge of AI applications in cybersecurity, while 41 per cent cited a shortage of skilled professionals. This talent gap continues to hinder progress, even as the cost of cyber incidents rises; 27 per cent of firms reported that their most damaging data breach in the past three years cost at least $1 million. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, experts agree that AI-driven defence, backed by continuous upskilling, is no longer optional, it’s essential for survival in the modern digital economy.
source: The guardian