A new report from cybersecurity provider Sophos reveals that organizations across the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) are boosting their budgets to tackle evolving cyber threats, focusing on (artificial intelligence) AI-driven attacks.
Sophos’ Cybersecurity Playbook for Partners in Asia Pacific and Japan, created in partnership with Tech Research Asia, highlights a growing reliance on managed service partners (MSPs). In the next year, 83% of organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets, with 50% allocating more funds to MSPs.
“The ongoing prevalence of cyber threats has forced organizations to address a variety of their cybersecurity measures,” Cameron Reid, director, Channel Sales MSP, Sophos APJ, said in a media release.
He noted that businesses are prioritizing financial security, risk management, and robust measures to support digital transformation.
In the next year, 83% of organizations plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets, with 50% allocating more funds to MSPs.
AI-augmented attacks
AI-augmented attacks are a major concern, topping the list of threats in most APJ markets. However, only 45% of surveyed organizations believe they have the skills to counter such threats, and just 22% report having a solid AI and automation strategy. To address these gaps, many are turning to MSPs or enhancing internal training programs with partner support.
Organizations are channeling budgets toward infrastructure security (62%), threat detection and response (61%), and other key areas. Also, many are opting for multi-vendor setups to create tailored cybersecurity solutions.
“Since adversarial behaviors are always evolving, it is essential that organizations get the support they need to address all aspects of cybersecurity,” Reid said.
He emphasized the opportunity for MSPs to help companies bolster resilience, address skill gaps, and secure their operations effectively.