Geopolitical Tensions and Emerging Technologies Fuel Cyber Complexity

The World Economic Forum’s latest Global Cybersecurity Outlook report highlights the increasing complexity of cyberspace driven by geopolitical tensions, overlapping supply chains, rapid adoption of emerging technologies, and evolving regulatory landscapes. This report, based on a comprehensive survey and interviews with industry leaders, reveals that these factors are widening the cyber skills gap and exacerbating cyber inequity.

One of the most significant findings is the risk posed by complex supply chains. Over 54% of large organizations, those with annual revenues exceeding $5.5 billion, cite supply chain challenges as the primary barrier to achieving cyber resilience. The lack of visibility and oversight into the security levels of suppliers is a major concern, underscoring the need for robust supply chain management and security.

Despite these challenges, the report emphasizes that organizations can mitigate these issues by adopting proactive risk management strategies, fostering collaborative approaches, and investing in scalable, equitable solutions. This proactive stance can help bridge the cyber skills gap and reduce disparities across the digital landscape.

Expert Opinions on the Rising Complexity of Cyberspace Challenges

Top cybersecurity leaders have weighed in on the aspects of complexity that present the greatest challenges for their organizations. Grant Bourzikas, Chief Security Officer at Cloudflare, warns against the “hostage mindset” where reliance on outdated technology becomes a barrier to resilience. He stresses the importance of security transformation to remove obsolete tools and vendors, which can otherwise lead to breaches as new threats emerge daily.

Christophe Blassiau, Senior Vice-President and Group Chief Information Security Officer at Schneider Electric, highlights the hyperconnectivity brought about by emerging technologies such as automation, cloud, and AI. This has expanded the attack surface, necessitating a shift from “Secure by Design” to “Secure by Operations.” Blassiau calls for clearly defined roles and responsibilities among stakeholders to ensure effective security controls and compliance with growing regulatory demands.

Sabrina Feng, Chief Risk Officer at the London Stock Exchange Group, points out the increasing reliance on supply chains for technology and digital services, particularly with the adoption of disruptive technologies like cloud, big data, AI, and quantum computing. She emphasizes the need to reimagine traditional supply chain risk management approaches to address these complexities effectively.

The Path Forward: Collaboration and Simplification

Derek Manky, Chief Security Strategist at Fortinet, discusses the growing sophistication of cybercrime operations. He highlights how adversaries are leveraging new technologies like AI to enhance their attack strategies. Manky advocates for building alliances and fostering information exchange between public and private institutions to combat cybercrime more effectively.

Janus Fris Bindslev, Chief Digital Risk Officer at PensionDanmark, identifies three primary drivers of complexity: sophisticated cyber threats, cloud-based supply chain interdependencies, and the integration of AI-based solutions. Bindslev stresses the importance of simplifying cybersecurity tasks, automating processes, and collaborating with sector peers and authorities to stay ahead of emerging threats.

In conclusion, the report and expert insights underscore the critical need for organizations to adopt comprehensive strategies to manage the growing complexity of cyberspace. By prioritizing proactive risk management, collaboration, and simplification, businesses can enhance their cyber resilience and navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively.