IT leaders focus on ransomware & AI despite readiness gaps
New research from CTERA reveals enterprise IT leaders are prioritising cybersecurity and cost control, even as ambitions around artificial intelligence (AI) integration outpace actual readiness for deployment within their organisations.
The findings, drawn from CTERA's 2025 State of Data and Cloud Strategy Survey Report, show that 80% of IT and cybersecurity executives are focused on strengthening measures against ransomware, which has become an almost universal threat. At the same time, 57% of respondents said AI is a key priority for the coming year, underscoring an emerging trend towards leveraging advanced technologies despite practical obstacles in adoption and preparedness.
Ransomware prevalence and impacts
According to the survey, every organisation represented reported being targeted by a ransomware attack in the past two years - a figure that highlights the pervasiveness of this cyber threat. The consequences were significant: 17% reported at least partial permanent data loss from attacks, 10% admitted to paying ransoms, and 14% said they were uncertain about how the incidents were ultimately resolved. The report notes that, even with increased awareness, too many organisations remain unable to fully recover and restore critical information once compromised.
Cheryle Cushion, SVP Marketing at CTERA, commented on these findings, stating,
"Enterprises are navigating an evolving landscape of IT priorities, trying to balance immediate cybersecurity needs with forward-thinking AI strategies. We understand these challenges very well. CTERA's Intelligent Data Platform offers a path to robust ransomware resilience, streamlined cloud storage deployment, and seamless cloud migration aligning with both strategic leadership priorities and operational execution."
AI ambitions and organisational readiness
While harnessing AI ranks as a third priority for 2025 among surveyed leaders, adoption within these organisations is still in early phases. The report shows that 70% of respondents have partially deployed AI-based assistants, and another 27% are conducting pilot studies. This indicates preparations for broader integration in the future, even if most firms are still some way off from comprehensive implementation.
Investors are driving much of this AI-focused momentum. The survey found that improving customer experience (64%), enhancing predictive intelligence (64%), and boosting data query accuracy (53%) were among the main goals set for AI deployment. However, only 10% of organisations said they are focused on addressing internal skills gaps around AI technology, a discrepancy that may pose challenges as ambitions grow and the demand for skilled workers increases.
Barriers to AI implementation
Security and compliance concerns were identified as the most significant hurdles confronting AI deployment in enterprise settings. 67% of respondents cited regulatory compliance as their biggest challenge, closely followed by worries about security risks such as data exposure or misuse (57%). Other reported issues included data silos restricting AI access (45%), and the total cost of implementation and maintenance (44%).
Cloud strategies and executive alignment
The report indicates a shift towards cloud-first strategies among enterprise leaders, with 61% prioritising cloud technologies over on-premises data centres. Notably, the commitment to cloud was higher among C-level executives (26%) than among vice presidents (11%) or directors (9%). This suggests that while cloud adoption enjoys support at senior levels, more conservative attitudes exist further down the organisational hierarchy.
Survey methodology
CTERA's survey involved 300 senior IT and security leaders from large organisations (each with more than 2,500 employees) spanning the US, EMEA, and APAC regions. Respondents were specifically identified for having over 100TB of file storage, a minimum of five operational sites, and demonstrated willingness to utilise enterprise file sync and share (EFSS) solutions. The survey was conducted online by research firm Global Surveyz Research, with question order randomised for most non-numerical topics to reduce bias.
The collective insights suggest that while the enthusiasm for AI is evident, enterprises face lingering challenges regarding cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and the internal skills required for wider technology adoption. The strategic focus on cloud technologies and a strong emphasis on ransomware resilience reflect the current pressures felt by IT leaders as they steer organisational data strategies for 2025.
