70% of CISOs worry their org is at risk of a material cyber attack

Proofpoint’s 2024 Voice of the CISO survey of 1,600 CISOs across 16 countries reports that 70% expect a material cyber attack within a year and 41% see ransomware as the top threat, followed by malware, email fraud, cloud account compromise, insider threats, and DDoS. While 43% feel unprepared, 62% say they would likely pay in a ransomware event. The report notes growing board-level security engagement, but also rising burnout, “excessive expectations,” and concern over personal legal liability, with recent regulatory actions heightening anxiety among security leaders.