The New Digital Tightrope: Why ASEAN Leaders Must Pivot from Prevention to Resilience

Across ASEAN, enterprises are accelerating their digital programmes, experimenting with AI, automation and cloud at unprecedented speed. Yet leaders across the region continue to grapple with the same fundamental question: how do you move fast without putting your business at risk?

This tension came through clearly at AIBP’s recent CXO gathering in Manila. Senior leaders agreed that the old model of governance, which was slow, restrictive and focused mainly on avoiding mistakes, no longer works. Governance now has to do something different. It has to enable innovation, not stall it, and give teams the confidence to build at speed while keeping the business safe.

The Real Risk: Investing Without Returns

Insights from the latest AIBP Enterprise Innovation Survey, based on more than 900 responses from ASEAN business and technology leaders, show a growing gap between ambition and outcomes.

Enterprises are investing in AI, machine learning and automation, but many still struggle to turn these investments into measurable business value. Funding is rarely the barrier. The difficulty lies in demonstrating impact, proving ROI, and doing so across complex organisations with legacy systems, fragmented data and limited talent depth.

Cybersecurity presents another structural gap. Many executives acknowledge that roughly 20 percent of IT budgets should go into cyber defence. In reality, spending often remains below 5 percent. This shortfall is not just a technical risk. It exposes enterprises to operational disruptions, reputational damage and a slower path to digital competitiveness.

You may view more insights from the newly published 2025 to 26 AIBP Enterprise Innovation Market Overview here.

These challenges are magnified in ASEAN, where enterprises often operate across multiple markets with different regulatory demands, uneven digital maturity and heavier reliance on older systems. The choice between best of breed tools and integrated platforms frequently comes down to organisational readiness rather than technology alone.

The Leadership Shift: Governing for Continuity

To break through this gridlock, leaders need to shift their mindset. Instead of trying to prevent every possible failure, they need to build systems that can withstand disruption and continue operating even when issues arise.

Crucially, this shift requires a commitment to 'Secure AI By Design,' ensuring that all AI initiatives embed security and risk management people, processes, and technology at the very start of the development lifecycle.

"Tech and security leaders are shifting their focus to becoming business enablers by implementing secure AI strategies. The goal is to integrate new technologies like cloud and AI safely and smoothly. Ultimately, this success is driven by a 'mindset' change within the organization, similar to needing excellent brakes (security) to drive a fast car (innovation)." - Melody Dy - Channel Sales Manager at Palo Alto Networks

1. Build Resilience, Not Illusions of Total Prevention

Absolute protection is no longer realistic. The priority must be early detection, rapid containment and ensuring that the business can continue to run when incidents occur. As one participant put it during the CXO session, the goal is reducing impact, not pretending we can eliminate every threat.

2. Redefine ROI

Value today goes beyond financial returns.

It includes:
• Customer experience, where AI can streamline processes such as loan approvals and reduce friction.
• Operational agility, where governance acts as a set of guard rails that help teams move faster, safely.

This is why POCs and sandbox environments matter. They allow teams to test ideas quickly, gather evidence early and minimise risk while building internal confidence in new technologies.

Governing by Resilience

For ASEAN enterprises, the path to digital leadership is not about spending more. It is about spending smarter, building institutional resilience and ensuring every digital dollar contributes to long term capability, continuity and measurable outcomes.

The message for leaders is clear: move away from budgeting out of fear and start governing with a sharper understanding of resilience and value. Those who make this shift will find themselves better prepared for the next wave of AI adoption, the next market shock and the next step in ASEAN’s digital growth story.

If you would like to join the next AIBP sessions in the Philippines or other ASEAN markets, contact us at aibp@industry-platform.com.