Recent data from Zscaler indicates that three out of five businesses experienced significant disruptions caused by suppliers or third-party vendors over the past year. The report found that 61% of organisations view their cyber resilience measures as primarily focused on internal threats rather than external risks.
Titled “The Ripple Effect,” the report notes that two-thirds (65%) of IT leaders consider the macroeconomic environment a contributing factor to supply chain instability, with 63% anticipating additional disruptions in the coming year.
The study surveyed 1,750 IT professionals and decision-makers from global organisations with more than 500 employees. It also found that 68% of organisations report a high reliance on contractors and external partners, yet fewer than four in 10 have updated their cyber resilience frameworks to address this rising supply chain risk.
In addition, over half (52%) of respondents indicated that their current security systems are not fully equipped to address sophisticated or emerging threats. Only 62% of organisations reported updating their policies to manage AI-generated risks.
Regarding shadow AI, seven in 10 organisations stated they have limited oversight of employee usage, while 56% indicated that it could potentially expose sensitive data.
The report also highlights that cyber resilience investments have increased over the past year, with 90% of organisations reporting higher funding levels and 96% revising their cyber resilience strategies in response to external factors.
