Half of business IT deemed outdated

The survey conducted by Kyndryl revealed that 94% of business leaders consider technology modernization a top priority for their companies. However, Kyndryl also found that 44% of the critical IT infrastructure it manages for customers is nearing end-of-life.

The data presented in the Kyndryl readiness report is a combination of survey responses from 3,200 senior leaders and decision-makers, along with insights from Kyndryl Bridge, the company’s AI-powered digital business platform.

A security leader at Kyndryl emphasized in the report that end-of-life technology is more susceptible to cyber attacks and prolonged outages. This highlights the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades to enhance resilience.

The research conducted by Kyndryl also highlighted concerns among CEOs regarding outdated IT systems and the challenges they pose for modernization efforts. Additionally, a significant number of executives acknowledge that their IT infrastructure is not fully prepared for the integration of artificial intelligence.

Despite these challenges, only a fraction of organizations feel they are leading the way in tech modernization and leveraging innovative technologies for business success. The majority of leaders are still in the initial stages of their modernization journey.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that a considerable portion of respondents are in the process of adopting new digital technologies, with a smaller percentage just beginning this transition.

When asked about their priorities for mitigating external business risks, upgrading IT infrastructure emerged as the top concern among the polled business leaders.

The data from Kyndryl Bridge indicates that automation plays a significant role in resolving IT issues, with the potential to save companies billions of dollars annually in maintenance costs and downtime prevention.

Looking beyond IT modernization, the survey respondents expressed worries about cyber attacks and environmental disruptions, highlighting the need for improved readiness in these areas.

Cyber security vulnerabilities, speed of innovation, and technology integration challenges were identified as key obstacles in navigating business risks by the polled individuals.

In response to the findings, Martin Schroeter, chairman and CEO of Kyndryl, emphasized the importance of readiness in empowering people, aligning tools with culture, and embracing the digital transformation journey across the organization.