Cybersecurity leaders are increasingly turning to AI to navigate mounting cost pressures and the escalating sophistication of cyber threats, a recent report by Wipro has shown.
Nearly one-third of global cybersecurity leaders now rank investment in AI-driven automation as their top priority for both bolstering security operations and reducing costs, according to Wipro’s “State of Cybersecurity Report 2025” report.
According to the report, 30% of respondents identified investment in AI automation as their leading strategy for optimizing cybersecurity operations and managing budgets.
Other strategies used by Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to optimize costs include tools rationalization (26%), security and risk management process optimization (23%) and operating model simplification (20%).
“Cybersecurity budgets are struggling to keep pace with the growing sophistication of cyber threats. AI offers a solution by helping organizations strengthen defenses while optimizing costs. This allows CISOs to adopt a more outcome-driven focus by prioritizing risk-adjusted returns on investments,” said Tony Buffomante, SVP & Global Head – Cybersecurity & Risk Services, Wipro.
Many CISOs are leveraging AI not just for cost control but also to improve threat detection and response times (31%) and to build enhanced incident response capabilities (24%).
The report emphasises that investing in advanced AI-driven security solutions, continuously monitoring AI developments, and fostering a culture of innovation within cybersecurity teams are now critical elements of effective risk management.
While AI is a major focus, the report found that implementing Zero Trust security frameworks remains the top investment priority for 97 % of respondents.
