Executives are facing a defining challenge with artificial intelligence (AI): how to responsibly harness its power while defending against the risks it creates. AI can detect threats faster and improve security operations, but it also enables more sophisticated attacks like deepfakes, malware, and phishing. The reality is that technology alone won’t solve this problem. As Wipro’s State of Cybersecurity Report 2025 clarifies, the key is how well organizations govern, structure, and embed cybersecurity into their DNA.
AI Is Redefining the Rules of Engagement
AI is changing how defenders operate by helping security teams detect anomalies faster, automate response processes, and reduce false positives. Ninety-three percent of organizations in Wipro’s report said AI-driven threat detection and response is now a top priority. Security operations centers (SOCs) increasingly lean on AI to manage alerts and ease analysts’ workloads.
But here’s the flip side: Malicious actors launch more convincing and dangerous attacks using those same capabilities. Generative AI can create phishing emails that look and sound real. Deepfake audio and video can now impersonate executives, and self-evolving malware outpaces traditional, rule-based defenses. The threat landscape has never moved faster or been more complex.
Despite high levels of investment in AI, 84% of organizations cited data quality and privacy concerns as holding back their AI deployments. The reality is that AI is only as powerful as the systems that govern it. Without strong data pipelines, robust validation processes, and clear accountability for oversight, AI can introduce more vulnerabilities than it solves.
Negligence is the Real Risk
The idea that cyber threats only come from rogue actors or sophisticated hackers is outdated. Internal mistakes post just as much risk. Wipro’s research shows that 56% of organizations experienced a data breach in the past three years, and nearly one-third had repeat incidents. What’s more telling? Forty-four percent pointed to a lack of security awareness and employee negligence as top threats, ranking even higher than ransomware.
Breakdowns in security often come down to gaps in execution, such as missed software updates, poor password maintenance, and inadequate cybersecurity awareness training. While AI can help build stronger defenses, it must be combined with a solid foundation of cyber readiness. Organizations that fail to prioritize basic security practices will find that AI amplifies their weaknesses, not their strengths.
Fractured Ownership Weakens Defenses
Another challenge is leadership. Many organizations still lack unified leadership and accountability in AI and security strategy. Wipro’s report reveals that only 53% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Security responsibilities are shared across multiple departments in many organizations, creating gaps and misalignment between strategy, execution, and accountability. This is especially risky when it comes to AI. While 70% of respondents believe AI implementation should be a shared responsibility, only 13% have dedicated AI teams. This leads to inconsistent practices across departments, increased vulnerabilities, and more risk.
The good news? Sixty-four percent of organizations have proactive cyber governance structures at the board level. That’s progress, but there’s more to do. Clear ownership of AI strategy, cybersecurity, and incident response protocols across leadership tiers is critical. When accountability is scattered, execution suffers.
AI’s Impact Depends on the Strength of the Foundation
Despite the headlines of sophisticated and ever-changing threats, phishing is still the most common cyber risk. Sixty-five percent of organizations still rank it as their top concern. And with generative AI making phishing campaigns more convincing, harder to detect, and scalable, the threat is only growing.
To keep up, many organizations are modernizing their security operations centers. Twenty-seven percent of organizations said SOC process automation is a top priority. Modernizing SOCs requires deep integration with legacy systems, process reengineering, and having an IT staff trained to interpret AI-driven insights.
Here is the real challenge: 75% of organizations reported lacking the in-house AI expertise to manage these systems effectively. This is a significant gap. Without the right skills, AI-enabled tools risk becoming shelfware or creating new vulnerabilities through misconfiguration or overreliance on automation.
AI implementation is not plug-and-play. It requires a strong security foundation, structured oversight, and skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between innovation and operational security.
A Call to Action: Governance, Not Just Tech
Organizations are doubling down on advanced security frameworks like Zero Trust, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and AI-based defense platforms as the threat landscape intensifies. However, even the best technologies can fall short without strong governance.
Building a comprehensive and responsible AI program requires legal, compliance, privacy, and executive leadership coordination. Cybersecurity cannot remain siloed in IT, and AI cannot remain siloed. Cybersecurity must evolve to address AI-specific threats like deepfake impersonation and synthetic media campaigns, which put both data and reputation at risk.
Enterprises must integrate AI governance into their broader security strategy. This includes establishing playbooks that guide deployment, oversight, incident response, and compliance across all AI use cases. Governance must be treated as a core capability within every organization. True cybersecurity is earned through structure, accountability, and continuous improvement.
From Smart Tools to Smarter Organizations
In 2025, the cybersecurity conversation is as much about leadership and structure as it is about tech. AI is forcing organizations to break down silos and rethink how security is owned and operationalized.
The future belongs to those who treat AI as a tool and a shared responsibility that requires governance, collaboration, and clarity. Security must be funded, led, and measured with the same discipline as any other core business function.
Organizations must move beyond fragmented efforts and tactical fixes. They need to be agile, aligned, accountable, and ready to respond to the future and shape it. The question isn’t whether AI will define the future of cybersecurity. It’s whether we’ll define how we use it or let the risks define us.
About the Author
Saugat Sindhu is the Sr. Partner and Global Head of Advisory Services, Cybersecurity & Risk Services at Wipro.
He can be reached online on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/saugatsindhu/ and at our company website https://www.wipro.com/
