Cybersecurity automation is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s a necessary component for security teams. The latest data reveals that organizations are increasingly recognizing the critical role automation plays in safeguarding their systems and enabling their teams to thrive. Here are the key insights:

Growing in Importance

A striking 80% of respondents now say cybersecurity automation is important to their organization. This number has steadily climbed since 2022, highlighting the growing reliance on automated solutions to address complex security challenges. Organizations clearly understand that manual processes alone can’t keep up with today’s threat landscape.

Top Use Cases

When it comes to applying automation, three use cases continue to lead the pack:

• Incident Response: Rapid, automated responses to security events reduce the window of vulnerability and prevent escalation.
• Threat Hunting: Automation enables teams to analyze large datasets and uncover threats more efficiently.
• Phishing Analysis: By automating the detection and analysis of phishing attempts, organizations can mitigate one of the most common attack vectors.

These use cases consistently prove their value, making them essential starting points for organizations new to automation.

Trust in Automation Is Improving

Trust in automated processes is on the rise. In 2024, only 20% of respondents reported a lack of trust in the outcomes of cybersecurity automation, down significantly from 31% last year. This growing confidence reflects the maturity of automated tools and their ability to deliver reliable results.

Increased Budget Allocation

Investment in cybersecurity automation is surging, with 99% of respondents indicating an increased budget for these technologies. Notably, 39% of organizations have allocated net new budgets, signaling a shift from experimentation to full-scale adoption. This financial commitment underscores the proven business value of automation in enhancing security outcomes.

Measuring Success

Interestingly, the top metric for evaluating cybersecurity automation’s success remains team wellbeing. Organizations prioritize the impact of automation on reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction for security teams. While performance and efficiency metrics are gaining importance, they still take a backseat to ensuring employees feel supported.

Why It Matters

The data is clear: cybersecurity automation is not only gaining traction but also proving its worth across multiple use cases. From enabling faster threat responses to supporting overburdened teams, automation is transforming how organizations approach security. As budgets grow and trust improves, the future of cybersecurity automation looks brighter than ever. Now is the time to embrace these technologies and ensure your organization stays ahead in the race against cyber threats.

To learn more, download the Evolution of Cybersecurity Automation Adoption report, here.