CISO Insights for 2025: PurePoint International’s Key Findings and Trends

As we move into 2025, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) continues to evolve amidst an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape. This fall, we, at PurePoint International, conducted a survey of CISOs to better understand their challenges, priorities, and strategies for the year ahead. The results highlight critical areas of focus for security leaders, providing valuable insights into how organizations are preparing to navigate emerging threats, regulatory changes, and evolving business demands. 

1. Budget Constraints Amid Anticipated Increases 

Despite the expectation of increased budgets in 2025, many CISOs remain concerned about budget constraints. This paradox reflects the expanding scope of cybersecurity responsibilities, where even larger budgets may not fully address growing needs. The challenge lies in balancing investments across key priorities, including technology upgrades, talent acquisition, and compliance requirements. 

To maximize impact, CISOs are prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable value, such as improving incident response capabilities, enhancing security awareness programs, and adopting technologies that align with strategic goals. 

2. Ransomware Tops the List of Threats 

When asked about their biggest cybersecurity concerns, ransomware emerged as the dominant threat, surpassing advanced persistent threats (APTs) and zero-day vulnerabilities. The increasing sophistication of ransomware attacks, combined with their potential for widespread disruption and financial loss, has made it a top priority for security teams. 

CISOs are responding by: 

• Strengthening backup and recovery capabilities. 

• Enhancing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. 

• Conducting tabletop exercises to prepare for ransomware scenarios. 

3. Incident Response and Compliance Readiness Are Top Priorities 

CISOs are placing a strong emphasis on improving incident response and ensuring compliance readiness in 2025. These priorities are closely intertwined, as effective incident response is often critical to meeting regulatory requirements. 

With the EU Cyber Resilience Act coming into force on December 10, 2024, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), becoming effective December 16, 2024, and anticipated new AI regulations, the regulatory landscape is not showing signs of slowing down. CISOs are investing in tools and processes to streamline compliance while mitigating risks associated with regulatory penalties and breaches. 

4. Investment Focus: IAM, AI, and Cloud Security 

Identity and Access Management (IAM) leads the list of technology investments for 2025, reflecting its critical role in protecting systems and data. AI and machine learning are also high on the agenda, as CISOs look to leverage these technologies for threat detection, automation, and predictive analytics. 

Cloud security remains a key focus, driven by the continued migration of workloads to the cloud. Investments in cloud-native security tools and multi-cloud strategies are helping organizations secure their environments and address hybrid work challenges. 

5. Talent Shortages Remain a Persistent Challenge 

The cybersecurity talent shortage continues to be a significant obstacle for CISOs. Finding candidates with the right experience, technical skills, and soft skills remains difficult, especially when location and other requirements come into play. 

Interestingly, more experienced CISOs are shifting their hiring criteria to prioritize qualities like creativity, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. These traits are seen as essential for addressing complex security challenges and collaborating effectively with diverse teams. 

6. Leadership Focus: Executive Engagement and Risk Management 

CISO leadership in 2025 is increasingly centered on executive engagement and risk management. CISOs are focused on gaining buy-in from senior management, ensuring cybersecurity is integrated into broader business strategies. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Strengthening the risk register and aligning metrics with organizational goals. 

• Delivering key projects, such as penetration testing, awareness training, and board engagement programs, to build resilience and transparency. 

Looking Ahead: The CISO Agenda for 2025 

The insights gathered from this survey underscore the multifaceted role of today’s CISO. As they navigate budget constraints, talent shortages, and emerging threats, security leaders are focusing on strategies that balance immediate needs with long-term resilience. 

Key actions for 2025 include: 

• Building comprehensive incident response plans that align with compliance requirements. 

• Investing in technologies like IAM, AI, and cloud security to strengthen defenses. 

• Cultivating a pipeline of creative, communicative, and skilled talent. 

• Engaging executives and boards in meaningful discussions about risk and cybersecurity priorities. 

As CISOs look to the future, their ability to adapt and innovate will be essential in maintaining robust security postures in an increasingly digital world.