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The Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index 2025 highlights the insufficient preparation of Italian companies against cyber threats. Only 1% are considered "mature" in cybersecurity, while the adoption of AI introduces new challenges. The shortage of qualified personnel and the use of unmanaged devices exacerbate the situation.

Key points:

• Only 1% of Italian companies have a "mature" level of preparation in cybersecurity.
• 63% expect operational disruptions due to cyber incidents in the next 12-24 months.
• 85% of companies allow access to corporate networks via unmanaged devices.
• 74% report a shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals.

The Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index 2025 reveals that only 1% of Italian companies reach a "mature" level of preparation in cybersecurity, compared to 3% globally. The majority of Italian companies are in the "Initial" or "Formative" stages, highlighting a significant vulnerability to cyber threats.

AI adoption is transforming the cybersecurity landscape. In Italy, 77% of organizations use AI for threat detection, 60% for response, and 62% for recovery. However, the implementation of Generative AI (GenAI) tools introduces new challenges: 61% of employees use approved third-party tools, but 15% have unlimited access to public GenAI, and 80% of IT teams are not fully aware of employee interactions with these tools.

The complexity of security infrastructures is another critical point. 75% of Italian companies believe that the adoption of multiple cybersecurity solutions slows down the processes of detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents. 63% have implemented at least ten security solutions, while 22% use more than thirty, creating an overload that complicates effective security management.

Hybrid working and the use of unmanaged devices further increase risks. Eighty-five percent of Italian companies allow employees to access corporate networks via unmanaged devices, with 39% of employees spending up to 20% of their work time on these devices. Additionally, 22% of companies report that employees connect from at least six different networks in a week, expanding the attack surface.

The shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel is a persistent challenge. Seventy-four percent of Italian companies report difficulty finding qualified professionals, with 38% having more than ten open cybersecurity positions. This lack of skills hinders the ability to effectively respond to incidents and implement proactive defense strategies.

Despite these challenges, Italian companies are planning significant investments in cybersecurity. 94% plan to increase their cybersecurity budget in the next 12 months, with 82% expecting an increase of 10% or more. Priorities include updating existing solutions (62%), implementing new solutions (64%), and investing in AI-driven technologies (46%).

The Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index 2025 highlights the urgency for Italian companies to adopt more integrated and simplified security strategies, strengthen awareness of AI-related threats, and close the skills gap to build a solid and resilient defense.