Fragmentation, alert overload, and rising AI ambition are driving a shift toward platform-based, AI-powered security
Global cybersecurity leader Fortinet has released new findings from a study conducted by Forrester Consulting, revealing that organizations across Asia Pacific are facing mounting pressure as cybersecurity complexity and AI-driven threats continue to outpace their current security capabilities.
The study underscores a rapidly evolving threat landscape shaped by more sophisticated attackers, expanding digital environments, and the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence. While investment in cybersecurity remains strong, the findings point to a clear industry-wide pivot toward simplified, unified security architectures powered by AI and automation.
Rising complexity is redefining cyber risk
The report highlights that cyber risk is no longer driven solely by external threats—but increasingly by internal operational complexity.
Key findings show that:
- 57% of organizations cite AI-driven threats as a top concern
- 54% point to fragmented tools and overwhelming alert volumes
- 50% struggle to distinguish real threats due to alert fatigue
- 48% still rely heavily on manual security workflows
- 68% remain at an intermediate cybersecurity maturity level, while only 16% have reached advanced maturity
These figures reflect a growing reality: complexity itself has become a core security risk, not just an operational challenge.
The shift toward platform-based security accelerates
Organizations are increasingly moving toward unified security platforms as they attempt to regain control over fragmented environments.
While only 20% currently operate on a unified platform, that number is expected to surge to 59% within the next 12–24 months. This shift is driven by:
- 58% seeking to reduce tool sprawl
- 52% aiming for better integration
- 49% managing hybrid infrastructure complexity
At the same time, organizations continue to prioritize strengthening threat detection (40%) and incident response (39%), highlighting a widening gap between security expectations and operational realities.
Despite concerns such as migration costs (51%) and uncertainty around platform capabilities (46%), the benefits are clear:
90% of organizations expect measurable improvements in operational performance, including faster detection, improved response times, and higher SOC efficiency.
AI becomes both a threat and a defense priority
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a dual force—expanding the threat landscape while also becoming a critical defense mechanism.
The study reveals:
- 91% of organizations plan to increase AI-related cybersecurity budgets
- Over 60% expect AI to improve detection accuracy and response speed
- 58% anticipate stronger policy enforcement
- 57% expect centralized security control
- 56% expect reduced manual workloads
However, adoption challenges remain significant. Many organizations are still constrained by fragmented systems, limited automation, and the absence of unified data environments—key prerequisites for scaling AI effectively in security operations.
Industry leaders highlight the integration gap
Amelia Lau, Project Lead at Forrester Consulting, noted that organizations in APAC are navigating a dual challenge of rapidly evolving AI-driven threats and internal complexity, emphasizing that platform-based integration is essential for improved visibility and resilience.
From the Philippines perspective, Bambi Escalante of Fortinet Philippines stressed that fragmented tools and limited visibility are slowing threat response, while unified platforms are critical to enabling AI-driven efficiency and stronger security outcomes.
Meanwhile, Rashish Pandey emphasized that AI’s effectiveness in cybersecurity depends on integrated foundations—warning that without unified data and visibility, AI risks amplifying complexity rather than resolving it.
Toward simplified, AI-powered security
The findings point to a decisive shift in cybersecurity strategy across the region: from fragmented, tool-heavy environments toward unified platforms designed to simplify operations, improve visibility, and enable AI at scale.
As organizations continue to modernize their security posture, integration is emerging as the defining factor in whether AI becomes a force multiplier—or another layer of complexity.
