Cybersecurity Teams Disclosed Increased Work-Related Stress Over the Past Few Years
Bogota, COLOMBIA — April 18, 2024 — ManageEngine, a division of Zoho Corp. and leading provider of enterprise IT management solutions, today announced the results of its recent study, The State of Cybersecurity in Latin America 2024, which was carried out with cybersecurity professionals and decision-makers from companies in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. The findings revealed some key security trends and shed light on significant challenges that cybersecurity professionals are facing in the country.
According to the survey, 58% of respondents in Colombia acknowledged that their companies encountered an increase in cybersecurity breaches in 2023 when compared to previous years. A staggering 68% of respondents admitted that employee accidents are the leading reason why most attacks occur, closely followed by external entities at 67%.
In 2023, according to 53% of respondents, generative AI played a significant role in cyberattacks against their companies.
Eighty-six percent of respondents stated AI was critical for defending against cyberattacks in 2024. However, it's noteworthy that 14% held contrasting views. Compared to the regional average of 92%, Colombia ranked slightly lower in acknowledging the significance of AI in cybersecurity, reflecting a nuanced landscape.
That said, 85% of the respondents admitted that their organizations trust AI technologies to implement appropriate changes and respond to attacks without manual intervention, indicating a growing reliance on automated solutions.
"Despite this trust, there remains a prevailing possibility for oversight, with 89% of respondents advocating for an independent body to ensure the reliability of AI in cybersecurity applications. It is equally striking that a significant majority, as per the survey, anticipates the adoption of AI in over half of their company's security solutions in 2024. It is evident that AI is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, albeit amidst calls for assurance and oversight," said Andres Mendoza, technical director for LATAM and Southern Europe at ManageEngine.
In cybersecurity, the human element often proves to be both a vital asset and a significant vulnerability. The study data highlights this reality, with 63% of security professionals identifying new employees without adequate security training as a substantial security risk to the organization. Considering that employee accidents are the primary cause of security threats, it was comforting to also see that an impressive 97% of respondents acknowledged their companies provide cybersecurity training for employees.
Cybersecurity professionals coping with stress amidst these rising threats was another interesting aspect of the study. A concerning 65% of cybersecurity professionals admitted to facing an increased level of stress over the last couple of years. Apart from the increased frequency in cyberattacks, 43% of respondents suggested lack of experienced team members as the other cause for the stress. This emphasizes the critical shortage of expertise in navigating complex threat landscapes.
Delving into this key section, Subin George, regional manager for LATAM at ManageEngine, said, "As iterated by the study, the human factor remains integral to the cybersecurity equation, serving both as a linchpin of defense and a potential vulnerability. Although we see some positive trends in training employees in cybersecurity and offering skill enhancement opportunities to security professionals, the unwavering fact remains that stress among cybersecurity professionals cannot be ignored. The shortage of experienced team members further adds to these challenges, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies that address both technological solutions and human resilience in safeguarding against cyberthreats."
The study's findings reveal a strong correlation between the uptake of cybersecurity insurance and compliance with data regulations among Colombian companies. Despite the positive impact cybersecurity insurance has had on Colombian businesses, it is noteworthy that 54% of respondents reported successful claims, which is lower than in other surveyed countries. This suggests that while adoption of this specialty insurance is growing, there may still be room for improvement in terms of understanding and utilizing the benefits it offers.
When examining the requirements for purchasing cybersecurity insurance, it was evident that adherence to data protection regulations is a top priority for Colombian companies, with 73% citing it as a crucial factor. This aligns with the broader trend seen in compliance, where a significant majority (79%) of companies claim to be currently compliant with all data protection regulations, with an additional 20% aiming to achieve full compliance by the end of 2024.
ManageEngine commissioned independent market research agency Dimensional Research to conduct a study in Latin America. The study surveyed 705 qualified executives and security professionals—including small businesses and large enterprises alike—from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. These participants held direct responsibilities related to security defense and strategy. Among them, 200 respondents also held compliance as a central aspect of their job roles. Specifically, 152 respondents were surveyed in Colombia.
ManageEngine is a division of Zoho Corporation that offers comprehensive on-premises and cloud-native IT and security operations management solutions for global organizations and managed service providers. Established and emerging enterprises—including nine of every 10 Fortune 100 organizations—rely on ManageEngine's real-time IT management tools to ensure the optimal performance of their IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, endpoints and more. ManageEngine has 18 data centers, 20 offices and 200+ channel partners worldwide to help organizations tightly align their business to IT. For more information, please visit the company site, follow the company blog and get connected on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Media Contact:
Ahana Vissa
ManageEngine
ahana.g@zohocorp.com