Failure of corporate security can negatively impact brand image and sales.

Akamai Korea has released a Forrester Consulting Leadership Study, analyzing corporate perceptions of the balance between digital innovation and security. The study, conducted with 350 global IT companies, revealed that companies with a high level of digital maturity and a balanced approach to digital innovation and security are growing faster than their competitors.

Akamai transmits approximately 95 exabytes (EB) of data annually to billions of devices. Some of the world's leading financial institutions, online retailers, media and entertainment providers, and governments rely on its cloud platform. This has allowed Akamai to identify the critical link between user experience and digital security, and to shed light on the impact of these touchpoints on customer behavior.

According to Forrester research, delivering seamless digital experiences to customers is crucial to a company's competitiveness, customer satisfaction, and trust. However, numerous factors, including geographic differences, network connectivity, and device diversity, make delivering secure and personalized digital experiences challenging. This study examined how global digital companies across various industries align their overall user experience and security with strategic priorities.

Most companies surveyed reported that they struggle to strike the right balance between security and digital experience. Most respondents said their companies excelled in security and customer trust, but struggled in terms of digital experience maturity. Additionally, more than a third of executives surveyed said customers had only moderate trust in their companies due to concerns about their companies' data usage practices.

Research shows that even suspicions about a company's data usage practices can lead to a 25% decrease in sales. Lack of security erodes customer trust, leading to decreased sales. Customers feel safe sharing their data with trusted companies. When a company fails to address security concerns, it negatively impacts its brand image, customer trust, and ultimately, sales.

"This research allowed Akamai to assess companies' digital maturity based on both digital experience effectiveness and security capabilities," said Ari Weil, Vice President of Product Marketing at Akamai. "Our research with Forrester confirmed that companies are working hard to strike this balance. Akamai stands ready to guide every company on the path to digital maturity."