PwC survey finds 60 per cent of executives rank cyber risk among top strategic priorities

Cybersecurity strategies are being reshaped by geopolitical instability and rapid technological change, according to a new global survey from PwC.

PwC’s 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights survey of nearly 3,900 business and technology executives across 72 countries found that 60 per cent rank cyber risk investment among their top three strategic priorities, citing ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, fractured trade relationships and supply chain disruptions.

Despite the heightened focus, the survey suggests many organizations remain vulnerable. Roughly half of respondents said their organizations are only “somewhat capable” of withstanding cyberattacks that target specific weaknesses, while just six per cent expressed confidence across all vulnerabilities assessed.

The report also found that most organizations continue to emphasize reactive cybersecurity spending. Only 24 per cent said they invest significantly more in proactive measures such as monitoring, testing and controls than in response and recovery, while two-thirds reported spending roughly equal amounts on both.

Emerging technologies are adding to the complexity. Agentic artificial intelligence is among the top security capabilities organizations plan to deploy over the next year, particularly for cloud security, data protection and cyber defence operations. At the same time, quantum computing was identified as one of the threats organizations feel least prepared to address, though fewer than 10 per cent prioritize it in their budgets.

Skills shortages remain a major challenge, with 53 per cent of respondents turning to AI and machine learning tools to help close capability gaps, alongside increased use of specialized managed security services.

PwC said cyber risks are increasingly shaped by geopolitics as much as technology, with trade disputes, shifting alliances and weakened international institutions forcing organizations to rethink how they manage digital threats and build resilience.

Visit here for the full report.