Non-executive directors’ skepticism in cybersecurity value is a resource for change

Ninety percent of non-executive directors (NEDs) lack a measure of confidence in cybersecurity value, according to a new survey from Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company.

Only 10% of NEDs express strong confidence in the value of cybersecurity investments or initiatives, stating they have the right balance of protection and cost. Yet, NED’s skepticism in cybersecurity value is a resource for change. Sense-maker CIOs and CISOs, who form the cyber-elite and help their organisations understand and respond to complexity and change have managed to earn their boards’ trust on “just right” levels of protection and cost.

The 2026 Gartner Board of Directors Survey was conducted from April 14 – May 22, 2025 among 330 respondents from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, who are in a non-executive director role of private or public companies.

“Boards often struggle to connect cybersecurity investments to real ...