Is your organization suffering from a cybersecurity awareness gap? The results of the Bitdefender 2025 Cybersecurity Assessment suggest the answer is probably yes, but many leaders may not be aware of it.
This disconnect is important. Small differences in perception today can develop into large blind spots tomorrow. After all, perceptions influence what organizations prioritize, where they allocate resources, and how they respond to critical moments.
Confidence at the top, caution on the ground
Bitdefender’s latest assessment surveyed 1,200 cybersecurity and IT professionals, and the results suggest a deceptively optimistic outlook. A whopping 93% say they are “somewhat” or “very confident” in their ability to manage cyber risks as the attack surface expands.
But dig deeper and the optimism begins to split.
Almost half (45%) of C-level respondents, including CISOs and CIOs, say they are “very confident” in their organization’s readiness. But by mid-level management, that number plummets to just 19%.
Executives are more than twice as likely as operational teams to feel confident about their company’s cybersecurity posture.
When leaders overestimate their readiness, they can underinvest in people, processes, and technology. But perhaps it’s not a question of who’s right, but rather how each group sees the same landscape differently.
Why there is a cybersecurity awareness gap
In a recent conversation with several Bitdefender cybersecurity experts, we explored the causes of this perception gap and why it exists in so many organizations.
Sean Nickel, team lead at Bitdefender Cyber Intelligence Fusion Cell, says it’s no surprise that frontline professionals tend to have low confidence in their organizations’ cyber resilience. They face the risks up close.
“Think about what happens after a merger or acquisition,” Nickell explains. “You inherit whatever risks the acquired company has. Legacy systems, forgotten shadow IT, outdated processes, etc. can go from 100% green to yellow overnight. These details are often invisible to leaders, but painfully obvious to security teams.”
Bitdefender Technical Solutions Director Martin Zugec agrees. “In my research, I often see a completely different version of cybersecurity than what is being discussed online,” he says. “There is a gap between perception and reality, and that gap seems to be getting wider.”
For Nick Jackson, Director of Cybersecurity Services at Bitdefender, the problem often comes down to communication. “Mid-level managers handle much of the operational load, while CISOs and C-suite leaders focus on strategic planning,” he points out. “Without strong reporting and collaboration, those worlds can fall apart.”
How to close the perception gap
Bridging this gap is not just about improving communication, it is strategically essential. Jackson, who helps align organizations through Bitdefender Security Advisory, says solutions start with mutual understanding.
“When both parties understand each other’s perspective: executives focused on risk appetite and business priorities, and managers the reality that they face operational threats every day, smarter, faster decisions can be made,” Jackson explains.
Improving alignment helps everyone. Mid-level managers can gain insight into why a company accepts certain risks or limits spending in certain areas. Meanwhile, executives will have a clearer picture of the challenges on the ground that give rise to these concerns in the first place.
Ultimately, cybersecurity success depends on shared visibility and trust. Closing the perception gap creates a culture where executives and practitioners work in sync, aligning strategy with reality and strengthening the entire organization.
Learn more about the gap between the C-suite and the front line
The awareness gaps identified in the Bitdefender 2025 Cybersecurity Assessment go beyond preparedness, revealing divergent cybersecurity priorities for 2025 and contrasting views on the global skills shortage.
To explore the full findings, download the full Bitdefender 2025 Cybersecurity Assessment Report and get a data-driven view of what will shape your cybersecurity strategy in the year ahead.
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