In our recent Enterprise webinar, we had the privilege of hosting Reanna Schultz, IT Security Team Lead at Garmin, alongside key leaders from CompTIA, Hannah Johnson and Seth Robinson. The discussion centered around the latest trends and insights in cybersecurity and how these developments are impacting organizations worldwide.
The webinar highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity as a business imperative, explored the challenges companies face in adopting modern cybersecurity practices, and addressed the significant skill gaps in the industry. Our experts also delved into the dual role of AI as both a tool and a challenge in the cybersecurity landscape and emphasized the value of community collaboration and continuous learning.
Cybersecurity as a business imperative
Our experts emphasized that cybersecurity has become a critical business priority. In today's digital age, protecting sensitive information and ensuring robust cyber defenses are vital for maintaining a safe and operational business.
However, despite widespread recognition of its importance and knowledge that many companies need deeper cybersecurity defenses, many companies face monetary challenges keeping them from implementing it as deeply as they would prefer. This disconnect often comes from a lack of resources, which can leave organizations vulnerable to cyber threats. According to our 2025 State of Cybersecurity report, 36% of respondents identified budget constraints as a significant barrier to advancing their cybersecurity initiatives.
Investing in cybersecurity is essential, as cyber threats affect every layer of an organization and its operations. Businesses must integrate cybersecurity into their core strategy, ensuring it receives the necessary attention and investment to mitigate risks and protect the organization's assets and reputation.
Challenges in adopting modern cybersecurity practices
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, many companies are finding themselves playing catch-up with modern cybersecurity practices. Traditionally, organizations have relied on a defensive, "set it and forget it" mindset, which is no longer sufficient to combat the sophisticated threats they face. The shift towards a more proactive, ongoing operational approach is essential to effectively address these evolving threats.
This transformation involves integrating new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), into cybersecurity strategies. AI can enhance threat detection and response capabilities, but it also requires organizations to adapt their practices and processes to leverage its full potential.
A cybersecurity breach can have devastating consequences, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and adaptation in cybersecurity practices. By embracing a proactive approach and staying ahead of technological advancements, companies can better protect themselves against the ever-changing threat landscape.
Skill gaps and training needs in cybersecurity
Many business leaders recognize there is a crucial need for deeper skill development in cybersecurity across the workforce, which necessitates developing a plan to foster greater skill confidence and specialization.
To address these gaps, companies are investing in training and certification programs. These initiatives are designed to enhance the skill sets of their workforce, which helps to protect against risks, drives efficiencies, and bridges gaps across organizations. Offering such development opportunities also helps with employee retention, as professionals are more likely to stay with organizations that support their growth and career advancement.
The role of AI and emerging technologies
AI is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the cybersecurity landscape, serving as both a powerful tool and a formidable challenge. On one hand, AI can significantly enhance security measures by improving threat detection, automating responses, and analyzing vast amounts of data more efficiently than ever before. These capabilities enable organizations to identify and mitigate potential threats more swiftly and accurately.
However, the integration of AI into cybersecurity strategies also introduces new threats.
Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to develop more sophisticated attacks, making it imperative for cybersecurity professionals to stay informed on these emerging technologies and adapt their strategies accordingly. As threats become more complex, organizations must move quickly, necessitating more comprehensive planning and the adoption of offensive measures. This proactive approach involves anticipating potential threats and implementing robust defenses to counteract them before they can cause harm.
To effectively harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its risks, cybersecurity professionals must continuously update their knowledge and skills. By doing so, they can ensure that their organizations remain resilient in the face of an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Some of the factors driving threats include:
Emergence of generative AI
Variety of attacks
Scale of attacks
Breadth of skills needed
Nation-state attacks
Quantifying cybersecurity progress
Compliance with regulations
Privacy concerns
The importance of community collaboration and continuous learning
Collaboration within the cybersecurity community is a vital strategy for staying ahead of emerging threats. The collective knowledge and shared experiences of cybersecurity professionals can significantly enhance an organization's ability to anticipate and respond to potential risks.
In addition, engaging in continuous education and participating in community discussions and events are crucial for professionals seeking to keep pace with the rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape. These interactions provide valuable opportunities to exchange insights, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
CompTIA stands out as a go-to resource for updates and insights in the cybersecurity field. By offering a wealth of information, training, and certification programs, CompTIA supports professionals in their pursuit of knowledge and skill development. This commitment to continuous learning not only empowers organizations and their employees but also strengthens the cybersecurity community as a whole.
Delve deeper into the state of cybersecurity
The insights shared during our webinar highlight the complex and ever-evolving nature of cybersecurity for today’s businesses. As threats become more sophisticated, the need for strategic alignment, skill development, and active community engagement becomes increasingly critical. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity as a core business function, invest in continuous learning and skill development, and foster collaboration within the cybersecurity community to effectively navigate these challenges.
To stay informed and equip your organization with the knowledge needed to thrive in today's dynamic cyber environment, we invite you to check out our 2025 State of Cybersecurity report.
For information on how you can partner with CompTIA to stay ahead of cybersecurity threats, you can contact us here.
