Most European Privacy Teams Are Understaffed and Underfunded

ISACA’s State of Privacy in 2025 report finds growing pessimism among European privacy professionals: 54% expect budget declines in 2025, 52% report understaffed technical privacy teams, only 38% express confidence in safeguarding sensitive data, and just 24% always practice privacy by design. Respondents cite increasing stress driven by compliance challenges, resource shortages, and technology change, with notable skills gaps in technology/app experience (62%), technical expertise (49%), and IT operations (45%). While 47% of organizations offer privacy training for non-privacy staff, hiring expert-level privacy talent remains difficult for 73% of respondents, and only 28% find it easy to understand their privacy obligations.