Beyond the Hype: What Security Leaders Really Think About AI

A new SANS survey, sponsored by ZeroFox, reveals a critical gap between the adoption of AI-powered threats and the readiness of cyber defenses. Get the data-driven insights you need to lead your organization through the AI revolution.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon; it's here, and it is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. Business leaders are scrambling to incorporate Generative AI, but security teams are struggling to keep pace, creating a dangerous disconnect. While adversaries weaponize AI capabilities without constraint, defensive adoption remains shallow and fraught with challenges.

The SANS 2025 AI Survey provides an unvarnished look at how cybersecurity professionals are truly using—and not using—AI. Based on responses from the vast SANS community, this report answers critical questions about adoption rates, high-impact use cases, and the most significant challenges security teams face.

Data-Driven Insights to Navigate the AI Transformation

• A Critical Readiness Gap: 81% of security teams are concerned about emerging AI-powered threats, yet only half of the organizations that currently use AI are leveraging it for cybersecurity tasks.
• Significant Implementation Hurdles: Widespread adoption is hindered by practical challenges. 66% of respondents report that AI systems generate too many false positives, leading to alert fatigue, and nearly 60% struggle to integrate AI tools into existing AppSec workflows.
• Pervasive Governance Blind Spots: While 68% of cybersecurity professionals believe they should play a role in governing AI, only 35% of organizations have a formal AI risk management and compliance program in place.
• The Workforce Is Transforming: AI is already reshaping security roles. 51% of organizations report AI has affected training requirements, and 67% anticipate a growing demand for professionals with combined AI and cybersecurity expertise over the next three years.

Don't get left behind. Understand the challenges and opportunities of AI in cybersecurity to shape the future of your security program.