The findings, from an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo, highlight how a string of major IT disruptions has forced Singapore firms to fundamentally reassess their technology strategies and infrastructure investments.
Infrastructure Reviews Accelerate
The wake-up call has been swift and decisive. Nearly half of all organisations—46%—have launched urgent reviews of their IT infrastructure following high-profile incidents spanning cybersecurity breaches to widespread connectivity failures.
This scrutiny has elevated networking and connectivity issues to boardroom level, with 34% of technology executives reporting that these areas now command significantly more attention from senior management than previously.
The shift in priorities is reflected in spending plans. Cybersecurity has claimed the top spot for investment over the next 12 months, with 62% of Singapore businesses planning increased budget allocations.
Networking and connectivity follow closely at 48%, notably outpacing artificial intelligence at 40%—a reversal from last year’s regional trends when AI dominated investment discussions.
Growth Plans Under Threat
The stakes are considerable. Almost one-third of Singapore companies say subpar network performance is directly jeopardising their growth objectives for the year ahead.
The technology limitations run deeper, with 44% reporting that current network constraints are hampering their ability to support large-scale data and AI initiatives.
Perhaps most telling, only 4% of businesses believe their networks are adequately prepared to run AI workloads without significant barriers—a concerning figure given the widespread push toward AI adoption across industries.
Ben Elms, CEO of Expereo, said the findings confirm the strategic role of connectivity. “To drive a sustainable competitive advantage, connectivity is no longer an IT concern – it is a strategic business imperative,”
As organisations race to adopt new AI solutions, the C-suite must treat network performance with the same urgency as cybersecurity and AI itself, because without it, businesses simply cannot succeed.” he said.
Eric Wong, President for APAC at Expereo, highlighted the financial stakes for Singapore Businesses.
“With nearly a third of businesses here experiencing revenue losses exceeding US$5 million from network outages, it is no surprise that companies are prioritising investment in networking and cybersecurity more than anything else,”
“The strategic shift is critical for building the robust digital foundation needed to support data and AI at scale while driving resilient, sustainable growth.” he said.
Skills Gap Drives Outsourcing
Compounding the challenge is a critical shortage of skilled professionals. Networking tops the list of areas where companies struggle to recruit and retain talent, cited by 51% of Singapore respondents, with cybersecurity close behind at 49%.
In response to this skills crunch, 26% of organisations are planning to increase their reliance on external partners, including managed service providers and technology vendors, to bridge capability gaps.
The research underscores how resilient networks have become fundamental to Singapore’s digital economy ambitions.
As businesses pour resources into AI and data-driven strategies, robust connectivity is proving as essential as security and innovation for sustained competitive advantage.
The study, titled “Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility,” surveyed Singapore technology decision-makers about their infrastructure priorities and challenges in the current business environment.
