Cybersecurity remains a top priority: Survey

Insurers and asset managers worldwide continue to make cybersecurity a top priority, according to a Moody’s survey of 102 companies released Wednesday.

Regional disparities and differences persist in organizations’ adoption of cybersecurity measures, with those in the Americas often leading the way.

Approximately 78% in the Americas have a chief information security officer, compared with 46% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Conversely, chief information officers are more common in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, at 18% of respondents, than in the Americas, at 5%.

Although the vast majority of respondents mandate multi-factor authentication to access company systems, the proportion is noticeably higher in the Americas than in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Figures were not provided.

Four-fifths, or 80%, of very large companies, 92% of large companies and 75% of medium-sized companies have a chief information security officer, while only 43% of small companies have one, the Moody’s report said.

Insurers and asset managers globally are also increasing the resources dedicated to cybersecurity.

The percentage of respondents allocating more than 10% of their information technology budgets to cybersecurity rose to 22% in 2025 from 21% in 2024 and 19% in 2023.

Some 86% of respondents list cybersecurity as a distinct item in their budgetary process.