APAC CIOs Rethink Cybersecurity Spend Amid Rising Attacks and Underused Tools

Singapore, 4 May 2025 – Despite escalating budgets for cybersecurity, a majority of APAC CIOs say their organisations remain exposed to risk — as complex tools, rising credential leaks, and AI-driven attacks outpace current security strategies.

According to the newly released Logicalis 2025 CIO Report, which surveyed 1,000 global IT leaders — including over 300 across Asia Pacific — 91% of APAC organisations faced at least one cybersecurity incident in the past year, and over half (53%) were hit multiple times, well above the global average of 43%.

Security Tools Overspent and Underused

The research points to a growing misalignment between cybersecurity investments and actual business protection.

• 45% of APAC CIOs admit they’ve overinvested in tools they don’t need
• An equal 45% say they’re not using all the features available in their current security solutions
• 53% say their patch systems are too complex to manage effectively
• Only 63% feel confident in identifying gaps in their security infrastructure

AI Attacks and Credential Leaks Surge

The evolving threat landscape is being reshaped by emerging technologies. The report reveals that AI-powered cyberattacks now occur as frequently as phishing, making AI one of the top three threats to organisations today.

At the same time, credential leaks are on the rise, with 73% of CIOs citing it as a growing concern.

Cybersecurity Breaches Becoming the Norm

Additional findings include:

• 41% of breaches involved malware or ransomware
• 81% of CIOs say the volume of breaches is holding steady or increasing
• 45% say current security tools don’t fully meet business needs
• 97% believe their security coverage needs improvement — with over half needing major upgrades

“With cybersecurity now a board-level issue, CIOs need advanced visibility into their infrastructure security and the ability to present key security metrics clearly and concisely,” said Lee Chong-Win, CEO of Logicalis Asia Pacific.

He noted a “tidal wave” of demand for cybersecurity services as attacks rise and the talent gap widens.

Cisco XDR as Managed Service Now Available from Logicalis APAC

In response to mounting cyber threats, Logicalis recently announced it has become the first Cisco partner in Asia Pacific to deliver Cisco Extended Detection and Response (XDR) as a Managed Service, supported by its Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Malaysia.

This service aims to give CIOs greater visibility, faster detection, and more integrated threat response across hybrid environments.

Closing the Gap Between Risk and Readiness

As digital transformation continues to accelerate, the report calls for a proactive, intelligence-led approach to cybersecurity — one that prioritises threat exposure management, real-time visibility, and outcome-based investments.