A new global study supported by Sophos has revealed a significant trust deficit between enterprises and their cybersecurity vendors, raising concerns about risk management, decision‑making, and organizational resilience. According to Cybersecurity Trust Reality 2026, based on responses from 5,000 organizations across 17 countries, only 5% of organizations say they fully trust their cybersecurity providers.
The report highlights trust as one of the most overlooked yet increasingly critical elements in cybersecurity strategy. With cyber threats intensifying, regulatory pressure rising, and AI adoption accelerating across industries, confidence in vendors is becoming a cornerstone of board‑level decision‑making.
Key findings from the independent research include:
- 95% of respondents lack full trust in their cybersecurity vendors
- 79% struggle to assess the trustworthiness of new partners
- 62% find it difficult to evaluate even their existing vendors
- 51% report heightened anxiety about cyber incidents due to trust gaps
“Trust is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ in cybersecurity it’s a measurable risk factor.”
— Ross McKerchar, CISO, Sophos
Analysts warn that these trust deficiencies create operational friction, slow down critical decision-making, and contribute to higher vendor turnover all of which increase exposure to cyber risk. The findings also show alignment between CISOs and boards on what drives trust: independently verifiable evidence, transparent operations, and consistent performance.
Ross McKerchar, CISO at Sophos, said the industry must treat trust as a quantifiable component of risk. “When organizations can’t independently verify a vendor’s security maturity, transparency, and incident‑handling practices, that uncertainty flows directly into boardrooms and security strategies,” he said.
The report points to independent assessments, certifications, and demonstrated operational maturity as the strongest drivers of trust. CISOs emphasize transparency during incidents and technical reliability, while boards prioritize third‑party validation and compliance readiness.
IDC Research Director Phil Harris noted that trust is shifting from a marketing message to a compliance requirement, particularly as AI becomes embedded in cybersecurity products and workflows.
Sophos says its Trust Center is designed to help organizations access verifiable information that strengthens due diligence, governance, and confidence in vendor partnerships.
