Exploring the 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey
The 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights survey stands as a pivotal resource in understanding the current landscape of cybersecurity within the business sector. Conducted between May and July 2025, this extensive survey gathered insights from 3,887 business and technology executives worldwide. The significance of this survey lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of how organizations perceive, manage, and respond to cybersecurity challenges.
A Diverse Pool of Respondents
What makes this survey particularly noteworthy is the diversity of its participants. One-third of the executives (33%) hail from large companies, each generating $5 billion or more in revenue. This concentration of high-level executives provides a rich perspective on cybersecurity trends, drawing from extensive resources and complex operational environments.
The industries represented are varied, reflecting the multifaceted nature of today’s economy. Financial services and industrial manufacturing lead the pack, each accounting for 21% of respondents. The tech, media, and telecom sectors are close behind at 19%, followed by retail and consumer markets (16%), healthcare (10%), energy, utilities, and resources (9%), and government and public services (4%). This broad representation allows for an inclusive analysis of cybersecurity trends across different sectors.
Geographic Representation
The geographical breakdown of respondents further enriches the survey’s insights. Participants were drawn from 72 countries, with a significant representation from Western Europe (32%) and North America (27%). Additionally, the Asia Pacific region contributed 18%, Latin America accounted for 11%, while Central and Eastern Europe provided 6%. Africa and the Middle East comprised smaller segments, at 4% and 3%, respectively. This global landscape helps highlight regional differences in approaches to cybersecurity, revealing how cultural, regulatory, and economic factors influence digital trust.
A Legacy of Insight
Previously known as the Global State of Information Security Survey (GSISS), this survey has now entered its 28th year. As the longest-running annual survey on cybersecurity trends, it has established itself as a key barometer for the state of digital trust across industries. This longevity speaks to its credibility and the importance of its findings in shaping organizational practices around cybersecurity.
What sets the Global Digital Trust Insights survey apart is its unique emphasis on senior business executives, rather than solely security and technology leaders. This inclusive approach ensures that insights reflect broader business strategies and priorities, rather than being limited to the technical aspects of cybersecurity. The participation of a diverse mix of executives allows organizations to gain a holistic view of digital trust and its implications for overall business performance.
PwC’s Role in Driving Research
The survey is conducted by PwC Research, which serves as PwC’s global Centre of Excellence for market research and insights. This partnership lends a wealth of expertise to the survey, ensuring that the methodologies employed are robust and the findings are reliable. PwC’s reputation in the industry further enhances the credibility of the insights produced, making them a go-to resource for understanding dynamic cybersecurity trends and challenges faced by organizations globally.
By merging insights from a diverse set of executives across industries and regions, the 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights survey not only highlights the current state of cybersecurity but also focuses on emerging trends and challenges. These findings empower organizations to better understand their vulnerabilities, enhance their security postures, and foster a culture of trust in the digital realm.