Global: Majority of IT Professionals Shift Toward Cyber Immunity Solutions

The global cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, pushing organizations to rethink how they protect digital assets, sensitive data, and critical infrastructure. A recent study by Kaspersky reveals that a growing majority of IT professionals are now embracing cyber immunity solutions, signalling a strategic shift toward security models that are resilient by design rather than reactive by default.

This transition reflects a broader realization across industries that traditional cybersecurity tools—largely built around detection and response—are no longer sufficient in an era defined by sophisticated threats, regulatory pressure, and heightened expectations around data privacy and risk mitigation. Cyber immunity solutions represent a new approach, embedding protection into the core architecture of systems from inception, rather than bolting on defenses after vulnerabilities emerge.

The global research, which surveyed cybersecurity experts across the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region, highlights particularly strong awareness in markets facing rising cyber threats, including Nigeria. According to the findings, 90 percent of respondents are familiar with Secure by Design development principles. This methodology integrates security, internal controls, and risk assessment throughout the software development lifecycle, aligning closely with modern regulatory compliance frameworks and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) expectations.

Secure by Design mirrors practices long adopted in high-risk industries such as aerospace, where failure is not an option and regulatory requirements demand systems that are resilient from the outset. Yet despite its benefits, adoption has been slowed in some sectors by concerns around standardization, upfront investment, and regulatory change management. These challenges, however, are increasingly outweighed by the long-term gains in compliance management, operational efficiency, and financial crime prevention.

Cyber Immunity builds on Secure by Design principles by taking resilience a step further. Instead of relying on continuous patches, compliance monitoring tools, or layered defenses, cyber-immune systems are engineered to withstand attacks by default. This approach reduces exposure to regulatory enforcement risks, minimizes compliance audits, and supports stronger regulatory risk management. It is precisely these advantages that are driving IT professionals to view cyber immunity as the next frontier in cybersecurity and compliance technology.

The study indicates that while awareness of Cyber Immunity is high across the META region, interpretations vary. About 64 percent of respondents associate it with Secure by Design systems that remain operational during active attacks. Another 56 percent view it as a combination of advanced technology and strict regulatory policy enforcement that prevents intrusions altogether. Meanwhile, 48 percent link cyber immunity to highly skilled cybersecurity teams supported by compliance analytics and regulatory intelligence. Together, these perspectives underscore a shared understanding: cyber immunity is about proactive, built-in protection rather than reactive fixes.

Optimism around feasibility is also strong. In the META region, 63 percent of surveyed professionals believe it is already possible—or soon will be—to build systems capable of resisting cyberattacks without additional defensive layers. A further 32 percent consider it achievable in the near future. This marks a significant departure from legacy security models that focus on post-incident response and regulatory reporting after breaches occur.

As AI-powered attacks, fraud detection challenges, and financial compliance risks grow more complex, organizations are under increasing pressure to adopt security models that align with evolving regulatory frameworks. Cyber immunity supports this shift by enabling compliance automation, reducing dependency on constant updates, and strengthening regulatory compliance monitoring over time.

Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of the KasperskyOS Business Unit, notes that for forward-looking organizations, cyber immunity solutions deliver tangible business value beyond security. By embedding protection at the system level, companies reduce operational costs, streamline compliance workflows, and limit exposure to compliance risk assessments and regulatory compliance audits. This allows IT teams to focus less on firefighting and more on strategic innovation.

In practical terms, cyber immunity solutions also enhance resilience against emerging threats such as AI-driven cyberattacks, which are increasingly capable of bypassing conventional defenses. Systems designed with cyber immunity principles resist these threats inherently, supporting business continuity and safeguarding critical data assets. For organizations operating in highly regulated environments, this translates into stronger compliance management systems and improved alignment with regulatory compliance services.

The study underscores a clear trend: the future of cybersecurity will favor resilience, adaptability, and regulatory intelligence. As cyber threats intensify and regulatory requirements become more stringent, IT professionals across the META region are turning to cyber immunity solutions to stay ahead. Early adopters are not only improving their security posture but also positioning themselves as leaders in compliance technology and digital trust.

While challenges such as cost and standardization remain, the long-term benefits—reduced risk exposure, improved regulatory compliance, and sustainable security—are compelling. Cyber immunity solutions promise a future where systems do not merely survive cyberattacks but are designed to withstand them with minimal disruption.

As digital transformation accelerates across Africa and beyond, cyber immunity aligns seamlessly with a proactive approach to regulatory compliance, data protection, and risk mitigation. The message from IT professionals is increasingly clear: building secure systems from the ground up is no longer optional. Cyber immunity is emerging as a practical, scalable path forward—one that transforms cybersecurity from a reactive necessity into a strategic business advantage.