Indian organisations are sharpening their focus on AI-driven cybersecurity as evolving threats redefine risk priorities, according to PwC’s 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights survey. The study, which captures responses from 138 Indian business and technology leaders, shows a decisive shift toward intelligence-led cyber defence and long-term resilience.
Nearly 87% of organisations expect their cyber budgets to rise over the next year, with one-third planning increases above 10%. AI dominates planned investments, with 46% marking it as their top spending priority, followed by cloud security (33%), managed cyber services (28%) and data protection (26%).
Despite rising budgets, capability gaps persist. Fewer than 60% of organisations feel “very capable” in core areas such as patch management, access controls, endpoint visibility and supply-chain security. Legacy systems and weak network architecture continue to be major blind spots.
PwC India Cyber Leader Sundareshwar Krishnamurthy noted that cybersecurity is now firmly embedded in boardroom conversations, with 72% of organisations elevating cyber risk oversight. He emphasised that while AI, cloud security and managed services are becoming mainstream investments, preparedness for third-party breaches and quantum risks remains insufficient. Building future-ready teams capable of leveraging AI and navigating emerging technologies will be critical, he added.
As cyberattacks grow more costly, risk quantification is gaining traction. Half of the surveyed organisations are now measuring financial exposure more rigorously. One in four Indian enterprises reported losses exceeding USD 1 million from their most serious breach in the past three years, with large corporations facing the highest exposure.
Talent shortages continue to impede progress. Sixty percent of leaders cite limited understanding of AI applications in cyber defence and 50% highlight a lack of relevant skills as key barriers to AI deployment. Organisations are responding by increasing investments in AI and machine learning tools (61%), tool consolidation (51%), automation (49%) and workforce upskilling (49%).
Skills gaps are also weighing on operational technology and industrial IoT security, where 55% of organisations report difficulty sourcing qualified professionals. Meanwhile, preparedness for quantum threats remains low—nearly 40% have not begun implementing quantum-resistant safeguards due to limited awareness and competing priorities.
Overall, the findings signal a cybersecurity landscape in transition: rising budgets, accelerating AI adoption and growing executive attention, tempered by capability gaps and emerging risks that demand strategic foresight.
