A recent study conducted by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has uncovered a significant trend in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region: the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies among businesses. 

According to the study, approximately two-thirds of companies in APAC have integrated AI (61%) and IoT (64%) into their business infrastructures, marking a significant shift towards digital transformation.

More Businesses Embracing AI and IoT

The findings reveal that AI and IoT are not just buzzwords but have become integral components of business operations for many companies across APAC. Moreover, the study indicates that this trend is set to continue, with 28% and 26% of companies planning to adopt AI and IoT within the next two years, respectively.

However, the rapid adoption of these interconnected technologies has also brought about new cybersecurity challenges. Despite their benefits, AI and IoT are vulnerable to cyberattacks, with 13-14% of organizations in the region finding them "very difficult" or "extremely difficult" to protect. Alarmingly, only a small percentage of AI users (6%) and IoT owners (10%) believe their companies are fully protected against these threats.

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Interconnected Technologies

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, highlighted the urgent need to address the cybersecurity skills and knowledge gap to protect businesses against emerging threats effectively. 

Ivan Vassunov, Kaspersky's VP for Corporate products, echoed these sentiments, stating that interconnected technologies present immense business opportunities and introduce vulnerabilities to serious cyber threats. 

To help organizations navigate these challenges, Kaspersky recommends four effective strategies:

• Adopt secure-by-design principles to integrate cybersecurity into each stage of the software development lifecycle.
• Invest in training and upskilling the workforce to build a cyber-aware culture within the organization.
• Upgrade cybersecurity solutions to include advanced features such as Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) for effective threat detection and rapid automated response.
• Ensure compliance with regulations to avoid legal problems or reputational damage.

In addition to adopting AI and IoT, the study highlighted the cybersecurity workforce shortfall globally, with nearly 4 million professionals needed to meet current demands. Common mistakes made by InfoSec professionals include failure to update software, using weak passwords, and neglecting timely backups.

To bridge the cybersecurity talent gap and ensure a smoother integration of cybersecurity professionals into the workforce, Kaspersky recommends updating training programs, providing real-life cybersecurity scenario handling opportunities, and investing in upskilling programs for corporate staff.

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