TLDR: A 2025 IDC survey, commissioned by Fortinet, highlights that 94% of organizations in India have already integrated Artificial Intelligence into their cybersecurity frameworks. This widespread adoption is driven by AI’s ability to enhance speed, accuracy, and scalability in security operations, even as AI-powered cyber threats are also on the rise, impacting 72% of Indian firms.
India is witnessing a significant surge in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within its cybersecurity landscape, with a staggering 94% of organizations already leveraging AI in their security environments. This key finding comes from a 2025 IDC survey, commissioned by global cybersecurity leader Fortinet, which underscores AI’s transition from a nascent technology to a critical operational reality in cyber defense strategies across the nation.
The study reveals that AI is no longer merely a concept but a fundamental enabler of speed, accuracy, and scale in security operations. Its influence is profoundly reshaping hiring priorities, investment strategies, and the architectural design of modern cybersecurity teams.
However, the rise of AI in defense is mirrored by its increasing use by malicious actors. The survey indicates that nearly 72% of organizations in India have encountered AI-powered cyber threats in the past year. Of these, a significant 70% reported a twofold increase in threat volume, while 12% experienced a threefold surge. These AI-driven attacks are characterized by their stealth, speed, and adaptability, often exploiting vulnerabilities in visibility, governance, and internal processes.
Indian organizations are moving beyond basic AI-powered detection to more advanced applications. The top five use cases for AI in cybersecurity include automated response, predictive threat modeling, AI-driven incident response, AI-powered threat intelligence, and behavioral analytics. Generative AI (GenAI) is also gaining traction, primarily for automating light-touch tasks such as running playbooks and updating security policies.
This shift towards an AI-first cybersecurity approach is also transforming the workforce. There is a growing demand for specialized roles such as security data scientists, threat intelligence analysts, AI security engineers, AI security researchers, and AI-specific incident response professionals. This indicates a broader trend where cybersecurity teams are being built around AI capabilities.
Financially, cybersecurity budgets are trending upward, with approximately 82% of organizations reporting an increase in their allocations. Despite this investment and widespread AI adoption, a separate finding from the survey highlights a concerning gap in preparedness: only 14% of Indian organizations expressed high confidence in their ability to defend against AI-powered threats, and 21% admitted to having no capability to track such threats at all.
Also Read:
- OpenText Report: Ransomware Attacks Impact Over Half of Indian Businesses in 2024, AI-Driven Threats Intensify
- India Leads Asia-Pacific with 92% AI Adoption Rate, Driven by Confident Workforce and Strategic Leadership
The full findings are detailed in the IDC Info Snapshot titled ‘State of Cybersecurity in Asia-Pacific: From Constant Risk to Platform-Driven Resilience,’ published in May 2025.
