Cyberattacks top list of concerns for U.S. tech executive

America’s tech executives say cybersecurity threats are the biggest challenge businesses will face in the next 10 years, according to new research — and it’s affecting their hiring approach.

A recent survey examined the business forecasts of 1,000 C-Suite executives in cybersecurity or data center roles and revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) view data breaches and ransomware attacks as the most significant threat for companies over the next decade.

In fact, more than half (56%) of companies have already defended against a hacking attempt, 43% have experienced a data breach and 14% have fallen victim to a successful hack.

Given recent high-profile hacks, security breaches and the ever-growing need for cyber vigilance, it’s no surprise that 53% of executives see cybersecurity skills as the most in-demand for their future talent pipelines–especially since 43% “often” seek to hire entry-level talent.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Per Scholas (https://perscholas.org), the results found that adaptability and problem-solving (52%) as well as digital and technical skills (38%) also ranked among the top three most sought-after skillsets. Additionally, a notable 42% placed an emphasis specifically on understanding and developing AI.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly, another 48% of business leaders said that integrating AI and other emerging technologies is a top challenge, while 35% pointed to the growing rules and regulations surrounding AI, rounding out the three biggest challenges ahead.

However, adapting to these challenges is also front of mind for these leaders, as nearly all (95%) say that increased awareness and use of AI has an impact on how they store data. A further 87% even believe that AI played an integral role and changed which challenges their business will face.

The survey also looked at the perspective of employees working in tech and found that of the 1,000 polled, only 48% believe that their company is “very prepared” to prevent cybersecurity attacks.

Moreover, only about half of the employees surveyed (51%) are “very aware” of their company’s cybersecurity efforts. The good news? If given the opportunity, 88% said they would participate in additional training — with the average respondent willing to invest just under two hours per week, or 7.1 hours per month.

Still, 81% actively take steps to help protect sensitive data, such as keeping software and systems updated (73%), using two or multi-factor authentication (65%) and regularly backing up their data (56%).

But that doesn’t mean they’re without concerns when handling this sensitive data.

Phishing attempts (52%), external threats like outside parties gaining access (42%) and lack of encryption or security measures overall (41%) remain top of mind.

Adding to those concerns, only 45% of employees are “very aware” of where sensitive data is stored within their company.

“AI is finding its way into everything from day-to-day workloads to big-picture strategy, yet cybersecurity concerns remain front and center in the AI economy,” said Brittany Murrey, Executive Vice President, Talent Solutions at Per Scholas. “Our research suggests employees are ready and willing to upskill in order to protect sensitive data, which is a crucial step. By offering comprehensive training and staying ahead of evolving threats, businesses can embrace AI innovations without sacrificing security.”

Data centers–facilities where servers and networking equipment are stored and distributed on a large scale–have become essential for businesses managing vast amounts of customers and client data. It’s no surprise that they’re booming across the globe. Nearly all (95%) business executives and 89% of employees believe they’ll only become more integral to a growing economy.

As AI takes a more central role in daily life, 66% of all respondents see it as the primary driver of growth in the data center industry.

Despite this foresight, just over half (57%) of C-Suite leaders and only 37% of employees feel “very confident” that the industry will be able to keep up with the rising demand for data centers over the next five years.

Both decision makers and workers agree that technical cybersecurity skills (82%) are crucial for data center professionals, while essential professional development skills like problem-solving (79%) and communication (61%) are also in high demand.

As organizations scale to meet this growing demand, they face challenges such as “recruiting and retaining talent,” “changes in regulatory compliance” and “upskilling current talent.”

“Data centers have become the backbone of our increasingly digital economy, delivering the capacity and infrastructure that modern businesses rely on,” said Murrey. “There’s still a belief that only large enterprises need robust cybersecurity measures, but in reality, every organization — big or small — faces risks. Strengthening security practices, investing in the right talent, and building reliable data infrastructure will help ensure sustainable growth for everyone in this connected landscape.”