Not only do cyber concerns stand out as the top threat, but these concerns are even greater among organizations conducting technology audits more frequently, as well as among those using cybersecurity and AI-based tools to support the technology audit department. These more mature organizations also expressed the highest level of preparedness to handle this risk.

While AI is not viewed as a significant short-term technology concern, most respondents (59%) view advanced AI systems as posing significant risks to their organizations in the next two to three years. Further, the use of AI-based tools in technology auditing is associated with elevated concerns about various threats, including cybersecurity and data privacy, and also drives higher levels of perceived organizational preparedness to handle such threats.

Data privacy, compliance, governance and integrity rank among the top technology risks organizations face, and 52% view data breaches and leaks of sensitive information as posing the greatest cybersecurity-related threats.

Conducting more technology audits annually (for purposes of analyzing this survey’s results, defined as six or more — see page 8) drives a clearer understanding of the threat landscape and contributes to improved organizational preparedness and technology audit proficiency to handle these threats. Conversely, organizations with lower audit frequency may face blind spots in their risk management efforts, underscoring the importance of regular and thorough auditing.