EMEA Firms Underestimating Routine Cybersecurity Risks Amid AI Concerns

A new ESET report reveals that 64% of EMEA organizations expect a cyber attack this year, with 44% having faced incidents in the past 12 months. Despite fears of AI-powered malware, which 31% of respondents cite as the top threat, actual risks stem from phishing (27%), unpatched software (23%), and weak passwords (20%). The research involved 4,400 organizations across 13 countries, highlighting a disconnect between perceived and actual threats. While 78% of SMBs acknowledge cybersecurity's importance, many misunderstand key threats and technologies. Training is deemed critical by 87%, yet only 43% utilize effective programs. Budget constraints and integration challenges hinder improvements, despite 83% viewing their cybersecurity budgets as sufficient.

Key Points: • 64% of EMEA firms anticipate a cyber attack this year, with 44% reporting incidents. • AI-powered malware is perceived as a major threat, despite no incidents reported involving it. • Only 43% of organizations use effective training programs for cybersecurity awareness.