Businesses Maintain Confidence in Cybersecurity Amid Retail Attacks

Businesses remain confident in cybersecurity despite recent retail attacks, with 85% of respondents believing it will live up to its promise or have some use. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of respondents reported that cybersecurity is already disrupting their industries, with a further 18% expecting it to do so in the next decade. Artificial intelligence was the technology expected to be most disruptive, with 58% believing it will significantly disrupt their industries.

Businesses are maintaining a strong belief in the value of cybersecurity despite recent high-profile attacks on retailers, according to a survey conducted by GlobalData. The Tech Sentiment Polls Q2 2025 survey revealed that 85% of respondents believe either that cybersecurity will live up to all of its promise or that there is some use for it [1].

The survey, carried out across GlobalData’s network of B2B news websites between April and June 2025, found that 69% of respondents suggested cybersecurity would either significantly or at least slightly disrupt their industries. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of respondents reported that cybersecurity is already disrupting their industries, with a further 18% expecting it to do so in the next decade. This indicates a growing acceptance of cybersecurity as a necessary component of modern business operations [1].

Despite the increasing disruption, the survey also showed a slight fall in the proportion of respondents predicting that cybersecurity would not disrupt their industry at all, from 22% in Q1 2025 to 18% in Q2. This suggests that businesses are becoming more aware of the potential impacts of cybersecurity, even as they remain confident in its value [1].

The survey was conducted around the time that various retailers in the UK and elsewhere were being hit by cyberattacks, including Marks & Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods. GlobalData noted that cybersecurity is ubiquitous across all sectors, and no industry is exempt from cyberattacks [1].

Additionally, the survey highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) remains the technology that respondents believe will be most disruptive. Over half (58%) of respondents believe AI will significantly disrupt their industries, with a further 19% expecting a slight disruption. This underscores the growing importance of AI in various industries and the potential challenges it poses [1].

The confidence in cybersecurity is further bolstered by recent collaborations in the sector. IQSTEL Inc. (NASDAQ: IQST) and Cycurion Inc. (NASDAQ: CYCU) announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to become mutual equity partners following a planned $1 million stock exchange. This partnership aims to create a powerhouse in AI-driven cybersecurity for the global telecommunications industry [2].

The MOU outlines an initial 60-day exploratory period, with each company issuing $1 million worth of its common stock to the other. Subject to board and regulatory approvals, each company intends to distribute up to 50% of the shares it receives to its existing shareholders as a stock dividend. This transaction is designed to unlock shareholder value and create a mutual equity structure that both companies view as a "sibling company" relationship [2].

The collaboration between IQSTEL and Cycurion sets the stage for powerful cross-selling opportunities. IQSTEL will be able to introduce its Telecom, Fintech, and AI-driven services to Cycurion's established customer base, while Cycurion will gain access to offer its advanced cybersecurity solutions to some of the largest telecom operators in the world through IQSTEL's extensive global network [2].

As businesses continue to face the challenges posed by cybersecurity and AI, it is clear that the sector is evolving rapidly. The survey and recent partnerships underscore the importance of cybersecurity and AI in modern business operations, and the need for ongoing investment and innovation in these areas.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/confidence-cybersecurity-holds-face-retail-121655776.html
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-iqstel-cycurion-announce-1-123111477.html