The survey findings reveal that 44 percent of respondents view generative AI as a top initiative for 2024, surpassing cloud security. There is a divide among cybersecurity leaders, with 45 percent believing that generative AI will benefit threat actors, while 43 percent say it will give defenders an advantage. Patrick Coughlin, SVP of Global Technical Sales at Splunk, describes the current landscape as an “AI gold rush,” with both bad actors and security professionals seeking to gain the upper hand. However, generative AI also presents unprecedented advantages for threat actors, necessitating defenders to outpace them in harnessing and securely deploying its power.

In terms of recruitment, generative AI is seen as a solution to staffing challenges, with 86 percent believing it can help with hiring more entry-level talent to address the skills gap. Additionally, 58 percent think that onboarding entry-level talent will be quicker with generative AI. Moreover, 90 percent believe that entry-level talent can use generative AI to develop their skills in the Security Operations Center (SOC), and 65 percent think it will enhance the productivity of experienced cybersecurity professionals. On the downside, 76 percent of respondents feel that personal liability has made cybersecurity a less appealing career choice, and 70 percent have considered leaving the field due to job-related stress.