11:11 Systems’ new survey reveals IT leaders overwhelmed by cyber recovery complexity

11:11 Systems, a leading provider of managed infrastructure, has unveiled a revealing study concerning cyber threats and the preparedness of organisations. This comprehensive global study engaged over 800 senior IT leaders, detailing a worrying combination of overconfidence, complexity, and inadequate expertise, leaving businesses dangerously exposed to cyber threats.

Conducted across key regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, the survey highlights that an alarming 81% of IT leaders perceive their organisations as overly assured in their recovery capabilities against cyber incidents. This belief persists even as they encounter escalating challenges—82% of those surveyed admitted to facing at least one cyberattack in the last year, and 57% experienced two or more.

Of significant concern is the perceived threat posed by AI, with 74% of respondents apprehensive that its integration could heighten their vulnerability to attacks. The concern is notably pronounced among European participants, who accounted for 48% of the study. Within Europe, the intricacies of planning emerged as a prevalent issue, with 40% of respondents marking it as a primary concern, especially prominent in the Netherlands and UK.

European entities report colossal financial ramifications from cyber-related downtimes. An astounding 78% documented losses up to $500K for just an hour of downtime, while 16% faced losses between $501K and $1M. A smaller, yet significant, 6% reported losses exceeding $1M. Recovery times compound such losses, with over half of respondents indicating recovery spans of one to two weeks, significantly impacting business operations and incurring legal costs.

The research underscores a gap in leveraging cyber recovery providers, with only 17% of European businesses fully adopting these crucial services. Yet, over half prefer a hybrid approach, 21% manage recovery internally, and disturbingly, 8% have no strategy at all.

In a reflection of priorities, 25% of respondents recognise the pressing need for enhanced staff training and awareness, while 22% call for amplified investment in incident recovery solutions, matched by 20% emphasising the integration of resiliency and disaster recovery planning. A fifth suggests frequent testing and simulations, with 13% advocating for greater automation in recovery processes. Additionally, 59% of European respondents deem customisation of recovery solutions as extremely important, indicating a demand for tailored approaches.

Sean Tilley, Senior Director of Sales at 11:11 Systems shares, "This data confirms what we see every day... while it is positive to see that the majority are investing in cyber incident recovery, without the involvement of a specialist, these investments may not achieve the desired results."

Encouraging statistics reveal 97% of European respondents plan investments in cyber recovery over the next year, yet responses vary by country. While UK respondents experience fewer significant attacks, their concern is relative compared to experiences in France and the Netherlands, where higher instances of major incidents are recorded. The evolving landscape underscores the necessity for organisations to bolster strategies and safeguard against evolving threats.

The 2025 Cyber Resilience Report by 11:11 Systems was conducted with over 800 senior IT, security, and risk leaders globally. Its insights spotlight the growing burdens of cyber recovery planning, AI integration anxieties, and the spiralling cost implications of downtime.