Research
Security Priorities Study
Annual CSO research conducted to gain a better understanding of security’s role within the business and the various security projects organizations are researching and investing in now and in the coming year.
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of security decision-makers say that AI has introduced security risks their existing tools were not designed to address.
say their organization has struggled to find the root cause of security incidents they’ve experienced over the past 12 months.
have replaced or are replacing at least one security vendor tool with an AI-powered in-house solution.
Key findings
Security budgets are growing, with AI and automation leading investment priorities
Security decision-makers are preparing to invest more. According to CSO’s Security Priorities Study, 58% expect their organization’s security budget to increase over the next 12 months, up from 43% in 2025. Leveraging AI and automation to improve security effectiveness leads planned spending increases (60%), followed by protecting confidential and sensitive data (59%) and developing threat intelligence capabilities (58%).
For tech marketers, these spending plans offer a clear opportunity: align campaigns with buyers’ investment priorities. Show how your technology addresses their security needs and provide evidence of the value it can deliver.
Security buyers expect more from AI-enabled solutions
Organizations are rethinking how they source security capabilities. 66% have replaced or are replacing at least one vendor tool with an AI-powered in-house solution. Meanwhile, 47% of security decision-makers say available agentic AI solutions lack key capabilities they need.
For tech marketers, demonstrating value means being specific about the needs your solution meets, how it fits within the buyer’s environment, and what it takes to implement and manage. Help buyers understand the advantages of partnering with you as they evaluate their options.
AI is reshaping demands on security teams
Artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of the security tech stack. In fact, 78% of security decision-makers say AI will make cybersecurity expertise more valuable. At the same time, 55% are actively reconsidering their career options over the next 12 to 24 months, with the pace and demands of AI advances and expanding responsibilities among the leading reasons.
For tech marketers, these pressures make practical support essential. Create content that helps security teams build expertise, navigate implementation, and understand where your technology can reduce day-to-day demands.
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