The Cybersecurity Perception Gap: Why Executives and Practitioners See Risk Differently

The Cybersecurity Perception Gap article discusses how executives and practitioners often see cyber risk differently, creating a notable perception gap that can influence how organisations prioritise resources. Findings from Bitdefender’s 2025 Cybersecurity Assessment show 1,200 cybersecurity and IT professionals were surveyed, with 93% expressing being somewhat or very confident in managing risk as the attack surface grows.

Yet confidence diverges by role: nearly half of C-level respondents (45%) describe themselves as very confident, while only 19% of mid-level managers share that view. The piece argues that when leadership overestimates readiness, underinvestment in people, processes and technology may follow, underscoring the need for better reporting and cross‑level collaboration.

It also highlights proposed fixes, including closer alignment through mutual understanding and the Bitdefender Security Advisory to bridge the gap between executive risk appetite and frontline realities. According to Bitdefender, the assessment illuminates how small perceptual differences can become strategic blind spots, shaping decisions about cybersecurity strategy for 2025 and beyond.