In 2023, as organizations chart their growth path forward, they must contend with cybersecurity, risk, and privacy challenges from external forces like evolving attacker tactics and market dynamics as well as internal forces like anywhere work and the future of the office. One thing is certain: 2023 will favor those who prioritize internal security and risk cultural practices as the primary vehicle to deal with those external forces. In 2023, Forrester predicts that:

  • A Global 500 firm will be exposed for burning out its cybersecurity employees. Security teams are already understaffed. A 2022 study found that 66% of security team members experience significant stress at work, and 64% have had work stress impact their mental health. Staff are expected to be available 24/7 through major incidents, stay on top of every risk, deliver results in limited timeframes, and face pushback when asking for budget. When it comes to cybersecurity in APAC, in 2022 burnout caused hospitalizations and even deaths of tech employees in Australia and China. Overburdened security teams will not be immune. With tech whistleblowers going out with a bang, in 2023 a security employee will come forward about unsafe working conditions.
  • An APAC organization will damage employee trust by misusing employee monitoring. Many global regions have data protection laws like GDPR that address employers’ use of employee monitoring. In APAC, however, the laws detailing workplace monitoring practices are still either nonexistent or relatively lax. With managers nervous about declining productivity, some APAC organizations are implementing productivity management tools. In 2023, expect more lawmaker attention on workplace surveillance, along with more employee backlash and labor union strikes and organizing in response to monitoring. A heavy-handed approach to employee monitoring and lack of consideration for employee privacy will backfire.

Read our 2023 cybersecurity, risk, and privacy Predictions report to get specifics about each of these predictions, plus three more bonus predictions.

If you aren’t yet a client, you can download our complimentary APAC Predictions 2023 guide, which covers our top predictions for the year ahead. Get additional complimentary resources, including webinars, on the Predictions 2023 hub.