Privacy teams are shrinking and budgets are under pressure, forcing companies to look for more efficient ways to safeguard privacy despite increasing risks and complex regulations. That’s according to research from ISACA.
Privacy remains a priority for organizations worldwide, but resources for privacy teams are under pressure. This is according to ISACA’s State of Privacy 2025 report, which analyzes trends and challenges around privacy.
Less staff, not understaffed
The report shows that the median size of privacy teams has decreased from last year. Still, a smaller percentage of respondents say their team is understaffed. This is partly because more organizations are using AI to automate privacy tasks and increase efficiency.
In addition, ISACA points to the so-called Big Stay, a trend in which employees are less likely to change jobs. This makes for a more stable workforce, although it remains difficult to find experienced privacy professionals.
The report’s figures are based on a survey of 1,600 relevant profiles worldwide. 351 European respondents took part in the survey. Their responses showed that 52 percent of privacy teams in Europe still face staff shortages.
Privacy budgets under pressure
Although perceptions of privacy budgets have remained largely stable, the numbers show a negative trend. Only 36 percent of respondents believe their privacy budget is adequate, while 43 percent consider it underfunded. This is in line with previous years, but the expectation that budgets will continue to decline worries those surveyed.
The combination of smaller teams and tight budgets can leave companies vulnerable to privacy breaches and compliance problems. ISACA emphasizes that organizations with a strong focus on privacy by design and adequate governance support are better prepared to meet future challenges.
Whether this trend continues will depend on how companies balance cost savings with the importance of privacy protection.