AI is no longer an experiment in the security stack — it’s becoming the centerpiece. Foundry’s 2025 Security Priorities Study finds that 58% of organizations plan to boost spending on AI-enabled security tools next year, signaling a decisive shift from curiosity to commitment. And it’s not just budgets following the trend. The research finds 93% say they’re already using or are actively researching using AI in their security technologies over the next 12 months.
The urgency makes sense. CISOs are watching attackers weaponize generative AI to automate phishing, create deepfakes, and craft more convincing social engineering campaigns. In response, they’re turning to agentic and generative AI to harden defenses, augment analysts, and improve resilience at scale.
Foundry
At the upcoming CSO Conference, IDC’s Frank Dickson will examine this trend in his session, “Insights from IDC’s Latest Security Research.” He’ll explore how AI is reshaping cybersecurity strategy — not as a bolt-on tool, but as a fundamental shift in how organizations detect, respond, and adapt to risk.