Munich – October 29, 2026 -- Only 41 percent of German business decision-makers rate their company as well or very well prepared for cyberattacks, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by electronica, the electronics trade fair.
Cybersecurity ranks first when respondents name their most urgent technology need, cited by 16 percent. Skilled staff and competencies for AI and digitalization follow at 15 percent, and modernization of IT and data infrastructure at 13 percent. The survey links the pressure to rising network threats, geopolitical tensions and new regulation such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), alongside the growing connectivity of production plants, vehicles and logistics systems.
Dr. Reinhard Pfeiffer, Managing Director of Messe München, which organizes electronica every two years, said a cyberattack is no longer only an IT department problem. Machine stoppages and supply chain failures can hit a company's finances hard, he said, so firms must invest in the security of new technologies as well as the technologies themselves.
AI remains the top competitiveness driver at 65 percent
Artificial intelligence is the leading technology factor for competitiveness over the next five years, named by 65 percent of respondents. Cybersecurity and IT security follow at 35 percent, and energy-efficient technologies at 33 percent. AI and cybersecurity also dominate planned digital technology investments over the next two years.
Security now outranks computing power in technology selection
When choosing new technologies, 39 percent of respondents count cybersecurity and IT security among the most important attributes. Reliability and fail-safe operation, and AI capabilities, each draw 38 percent. High computing power is decisive for only 15 percent.
Survey covers 502 decision-makers in Germany
YouGov surveyed 502 company decision-makers in Germany online in September 2026. The sample is representative by employee share per company size, gender and age group of decision-makers, six NACE economic sectors, and Nielsen regional distribution. electronica takes place November 10-13, 2026, in Munich.