3 days ago
Cybersecurity remains the top investment priority - EY Tech Leaders Outlook
Cybersecurity remains the top investment priority for Irish tech leaders who are facing increasing budget constraints, geopolitical tensions and continued technological change.
Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) for the EY Tech Leaders Outlook said its the most critical area for improvement due to rising threats.
The findings show that AI adoption continues to accelerate, with one in ten leaders now saying AI is fundamental to their business, jumping from just one in 50 (2%) in 2024.
While the number of organisations without an AI strategy has fallen to 56%, down from 62% last year.
The reaseach also indicated that financial constraints are reshaping priorities with just 34% of tech leaders now expecting an increase in IT budgets over the next two years, down from 46% in 2024.
After years of strong demand for IT professionals, a hiring-squeeze may be on the horizon with over three-quarters (76%) either planning to maintain current staffing levels or potentially reduce their workforce over the next two years.
Ronan Walsh, Head of Technology Consulting at EY Ireland, said: "Technology leaders in Ireland are showing remarkable resilience in the face of on-going economic and geopolitical uncertainty. While budget constraints are clearly influencing decision making, our research shows that organisations are prioritising investments that deliver real value, particularly in cybersecurity, efficiency gains, cloud infrastructure and AI," said Mr Walsh.
"The shift in AI adoption is especially striking and we're seeing a growing number of organisations move beyond experimentation and begin to embed AI into core business functions to great effect,"he said.
"This research shows a strong sense of optimism amongst Irish technology leaders who are making really smart, strategic decisions to ensure that their organisations remain competitive in a world that is changing at breath taking pace. The continued focus on sustainability tools also signals a maturing approach, one that integrates long-term value creation with operational efficiency and risk management," added Mr Walsh.
According to the reseach cloud infrastructure is also continuing to gain momentum among Irish technology leaders.
It found 41% of organisations are now hosting all core systems in the cloud, nearly triple the figure from 2023, with this surge reflecting growing trust in cloud technology's ability to deliver enhanced security, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
As budget pressures mount, tech leaders questioned for the report said they are increasingly viewing cloud as a strategic enabler and essential to long-term digital transformation.
