Special Virtual Episodes with ISACA Leaders – State of Privacy

Privacy professionals are under growing pressure as they face budget cuts, resource challenges and changes in regulations. According to ISACA’s State of Privacy 2025 survey report, almost half (48 percent) expect a budget decrease in the next year and 73 percent indicate expert-level privacy professionals are the most difficult to hire, adding to the stress of keeping data safe and meeting compliance requirements.

The study found that 63 percent of privacy professionals say their role is more stressful now than it was five years ago, with 34 percent indicating it is significantly more stressful. They cite the main causes of this stress as the rapid evolution of technology (63 percent), compliance challenges (61 percent) and resource shortages (59 percent).

These findings align with what respondents cited as the top three obstacles facing privacy programs:

1. Complex international legal and regulatory landscape (38 percent)
2. Lack of competent resources (37 percent)
3. Management of risks related to new technologies (36 percent)

SPEAKERS

• Safia Kazi – ISACA HQ – Report Author
• Niel Harper – ISACA HQ – Report Author
• Jo Stewart-Rattray – ISACA Oceania Ambassador