Majority of CISOs Reported Willingness to Pay Ransomware Demands Despite Regulatory and Recovery Risks
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A 2026 survey of 750 CISOs in the United States and United Kingdom revealed that 58% would consider paying a ransom demand following a ransomware attack, prioritizing faster system recovery over compliance risks. Regional differences show higher willingness in the US (63%) compared to the UK (47%), attributed to stricter legal guidance, GDPR complexities, and lower confidence in data recovery post-payment in the UK. Operational downtime is identified as the most significant concern, with 83% of CISOs expressing confidence in recovery speed despite 77% reporting restoration periods of up to two weeks.
Timeline
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13.05.2026 15:30 1 articles · 1h ago
Survey reveals majority of CISOs consider ransom payment despite recovery and regulatory risks
Findings from a 2026 survey of 750 CISOs indicate that 58% would contemplate paying ransomware demands to expedite system restoration, with regional disparities influenced by legal and data protection frameworks. The survey also reveals a gap between perceived recovery speed and actual restoration timelines, with 77% of organizations requiring up to two weeks to restore operations.
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- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30
Information Snippets
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58% of surveyed CISOs (n=750) across the US and UK would consider paying a ransom demand to restore systems after a ransomware attack.
First reported: 13.05.2026 15:301 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30
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US-based CISOs reported a 63% likelihood of paying ransom, compared to 47% among UK-based counterparts.
First reported: 13.05.2026 15:301 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30
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83% of CISOs expressed confidence in their organization’s ability to recover quickly from a ransomware attack.
First reported: 13.05.2026 15:301 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30
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57% of CISOs reported restoration periods of up to one week, while 20% indicated recovery took up to two weeks following an attack.
First reported: 13.05.2026 15:301 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30
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Operational downtime, data loss, reputation damage, financial loss, and regulatory penalties were cited as primary concerns during ransomware incidents.
First reported: 13.05.2026 15:301 source, 1 articleShow sources
- Ransomware: Over Half of CISOs Would Consider Paying Ransom to Hackers — www.infosecurity-magazine.com — 13.05.2026 15:30