AI-Driven Threats and Complexity Outpace Security Readiness Across Australia: Fortinet

Fragmentation, alert overload, and rising AI ambition are driving a shift toward platform-based, AI-powered security.

AI-driven threats are now outpacing many organisations’ ability to respond, according to new research commissioned by Fortinet®, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security. Fortinet has announced the findings of a new study conducted by Forrester Consulting. The research reveals that organisations across Asia Pacific are struggling to keep pace, as cybersecurity complexity and AI-driven threats strain their current ability to respond effectively.

The study highlights risks driven by more advanced attackers and increasingly complex environments. It also points to continued investment in cybersecurity and AI as organisations try to close the gap.

In Australia, the findings point to a clear shift. Organisations are simplifying security architectures, improving operational efficiency, and embedding AI into unified platforms.

Cornelius Mare, Chief Information Security Officer, Australia, Fortinet, said, “Australian organisations are placing significant expectations on AI to transform security operations, from improving detection to accelerating response. However, AI can only deliver meaningful outcomes when it is built on an integrated foundation. Without unified visibility and connected data across environments, AI risks amplifying complexity rather than reducing it. Integration is what enables AI to operate at scale and deliver real security impact.”

Complexity and AI-Driven Threats Overwhelm Security Operations

Cyber risk is increasingly driven by both external threats and internal complexity. The research found:

• 63 per cent of organisations cite AI-driven threats as a top concern, while 60 per cent highlight fragmented tools and architectures and overwhelming alert volumes
• 49 per cent of organisations report that alert volume makes it difficult to distinguish real threats, and 43 per cent still rely on manual workflows
• Cybersecurity maturity remains constrained, with 68 per cent of organisations at an intermediate stage and only 16 per cent reaching advanced levels

These findings point to a clear shift. Complexity now moves beyond an operational challenge to become a core driver of cyber risk.

Shift to Platform-Based Security Gains Momentum

Organisations are accelerating their move toward unified, platform-based security architectures. Only 37 per cent operate a unified platform today, but this figure is expected to rise to 53 per cent over the next 12-24 months.

The shift is driven by the need to:

• Reduce tool sprawl (58 per cent)
• Improve integration (52 per cent)
• Manage growing hybrid complexity (49 per cent)

Despite these challenges, organisations continue to prioritise improving threat detection and incident response. This underscores a growing gap between security expectations and operational reality.

Future priorities reflect this transition. Organisations are focusing on security operations centre (SOC) automation, improved visibility, and platform consolidation to enhance efficiency and scale operations.

However, challenges remain:

• 51 per cent cite migration cost and disruption as barriers
• 46 per cent remain uncertain about platform capabilities across domains

Despite these concerns, organisations expect real benefits through consolidation. 90 per cent expect improvements in operational metrics, with over 60 per cent anticipating gains of at least 10 per cent in areas such as detection and response times, analyst productivity, and overall SOC efficiency.

The findings suggest that platform-based security is becoming an increasingly important operational approach. Organisations are using it to reduce complexity and improve efficiency.

AI Investment Surges, But Readiness and Integration Lag

AI is emerging as both a growing threat vector and a critical enabler of defence. 84 per cent of organisations plan to increase AI budgets, with over half expecting double-digit growth.

More than 60 per cent expect AI to improve detection accuracy, accelerate response, and strengthen overall security posture. Organisations also see AI as key to reducing complexity:

• 58 per cent expect consistent policy enforcement
• 57 per cent expect centralised control
• 56 per cent expect reduced manual workflows

However, readiness gaps persist. Fragmented environments, limited automation, and a lack of unified data hinder effective AI adoption. Many organisations are still building the foundational capabilities required to operationalise AI at scale.

This underscores a key point. Realising AI’s potential in security operations depends heavily on having integrated environments and unified data foundations in place.

Amelia Lau, Forrester Consulting Project Lead, said, “Organisations across APAC are facing a dual challenge, rapidly evolving AI-driven threats and increasing internal complexity. While investment remains strong, many are still struggling to operationalise security effectively. Moving toward integrated, platform-based approaches will be critical to improving visibility, efficiency, and resilience.”

Cornelius Mare said, “Australian customers are dealing with increasingly complex environments, where fragmented tools, limited visibility, and growing alert volumes are making it harder to detect and respond to threats effectively. At the same time, they are looking to leverage AI to improve speed and efficiency; however, they often lack the integrated foundation to do so. At Fortinet, we are helping organisations simplify their security architecture and strengthen resilience through a unified, platform-based approach that brings together visibility, automation, and AI-driven intelligence.”

About the Study

Fortinet commissioned this study. To create this profile, Forrester Consulting supplemented the research with custom survey questions asked of 585 APAC decision-makers and influencers of their organisation’s cybersecurity solutions. The custom survey began and was completed in March 2026.

About Fortinet

Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Fortinet’s mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere. Today, the company delivers cybersecurity everywhere it’s needed, with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet’s solutions, which rank among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry.

The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organisations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, forms a fundamental part of Fortinet’s commitment to enhancing cyber resilience globally.

FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies. This work provides customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence.

Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

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