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All issuesVolume 333, Issue 3IT NewsCxO

How CISOs Can Beat The Ransomware Blame Game

Security Boulevard, Thursday, December 18th, 2025

Being a CISO is not for the weak-hearted. It's a stressful role and an innately high-risk position. Around 25% of security leaders are replaced after a ransomware attack, according to a Sophos survey.

But here's the kicker: many of these breaches stem from a complex web of organizational challenges that extend far beyond any individual's control.

The report reveals that organizations hit with ransomware typically face multiple operational challenges simultaneously-an average of 2.7 contributing factors per incident. The top three factors paint a clear picture: lack of expertise (40.2%), unknown security gaps (40.1%), and insufficient staffing (39.4%).

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