Data Privacy Teams Report Understaffing and Budget Constraints Amid Rising Threats
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Data privacy teams are experiencing significant understaffing and budget constraints, with the median privacy staff size decreasing from eight to five. The stress levels among privacy professionals have increased, driven by rapid technological evolution, compliance challenges, and resource shortages. The report highlights a correlation between underfunding and higher stress levels, with 46% of underfunded teams reporting significantly more stress. Additionally, 44% of respondents face obstacles in their privacy programs, and 52% cite managing risks from new technologies as a top difficulty. Despite these challenges, 38% plan to use AI for privacy tasks in the next year.
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15.01.2026 14:15 1 articles · 7h ago
ISACA Report Highlights Understaffing and Budget Constraints in Data Privacy Teams
The ISACA State of Privacy 2026 report reveals that data privacy teams are experiencing significant understaffing and budget constraints, with the median privacy staff size decreasing from eight to five. The report highlights a correlation between underfunding and higher stress levels, with 46% of underfunded teams reporting significantly more stress. Additionally, 44% of respondents face obstacles in their privacy programs, and 52% cite managing risks from new technologies as a top difficulty. Despite these challenges, 38% plan to use AI for privacy tasks in the next year.
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- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
Information Snippets
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The median privacy staff size has decreased from eight to five, with technical privacy roles being more understaffed than legal/compliance roles.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
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35% of respondents report their roles are 'significantly more stressful' and 30% say they are 'slightly more stressful' compared to five years ago.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
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46% of respondents in underfunded privacy teams report significantly higher stress levels.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
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36% of respondents feel appropriately funded, while 31% are somewhat underfunded and 11% are significantly underfunded.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
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44% of respondents face obstacles in their privacy programs, and 52% cite managing risks from new technologies as a top difficulty.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15
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38% of respondents plan to use AI for privacy tasks in the next 12 months.
First reported: 15.01.2026 14:151 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Data Privacy Teams Face Staffing Shortages and Budget Constraints, ISACA Warns — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 15.01.2026 14:15