The recent ISACA State of Privacy 2025 survey sheds light on the growing challenges faced by privacy professionals in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. According to the survey, a significant majority of privacy professionals are experiencing heightened levels of stress, with 63% stating that their jobs have become more demanding in the past five years. This trend is further exacerbated by factors such as the rapid pace of technological advancements, compliance hurdles, and a scarcity of resources.
One of the major hurdles identified by the survey is the lack of competent resources and the struggle to effectively manage risks associated with new technologies. Many privacy professionals have voiced concerns over underfunded privacy budgets within their organizations, with 43% reporting insufficient funding and 48% anticipating a decrease in the budget allocation in the upcoming year. Moreover, there is a noticeable shortage of skilled privacy personnel, as 73% of respondents find it challenging to recruit expert-level professionals in this field. The survey also highlights common privacy shortcomings, including inadequate training, data breaches, and a failure to integrate privacy considerations from the outset.
Despite these obstacles, the survey also reveals some positive developments. It indicates a decrease in the number of organizations facing staffing shortages in technical privacy roles, suggesting an improvement in this aspect. Moreover, there has been a noticeable enhancement in the alignment of privacy strategies with organizational objectives, with 74% of respondents affirming this alignment. A significant majority of respondents (57%) believe that their boards have effectively prioritized privacy, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of privacy practices within enterprises. Additionally, an increasing number of organizations (82%) are using frameworks or regulations to govern privacy, demonstrating a heightened commitment to privacy measures.
A critical factor contributing to the success of privacy programs is the integration of privacy by design principles, as highlighted by 67% of respondents who incorporate privacy considerations into new applications and services from the outset. Organizations that adopt privacy by design practices report higher levels of confidence in their privacy teams, improved staffing in technical privacy roles, and fewer gaps in privacy skills. The survey also notes a rising trend in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for privacy-related tasks, with 36% of respondents indicating plans to leverage AI for privacy work in the near future. This uptrend is particularly notable in enterprises that view privacy as a competitive advantage rather than solely a compliance requirement.
In conclusion, the ISACA State of Privacy 2025 survey underscores the increasingly complex and challenging landscape facing privacy professionals. While there are significant hurdles to overcome, there are also promising signs of progress and a growing commitment to privacy practices within organizations. By embracing privacy by design principles and leveraging innovative technologies like AI, organizations can navigate these challenges and strengthen their privacy programs for the future.