A study has revealed most hackers can break through security systems and steal data in as little as 24 hours.
The report by technology company Nuix aims to show which security technologies are worth investing in.
It found that more than eight in ten hackers can break through cyber security defences.
The report was based on a survey of 70 professional hackers and penetration testers at Defcon – the world’s largest security and hacking conference.
Chris Pogue, chief information security officer at Nuix, said: “There is no shortage of cyber security industry reports, so we’ve avoided going down the familiar path of compiling data about incidents that have already taken place or highlighting trends and patterns in data breaches – these are clearly the symptoms of a deeper problem.
“Instead, we have focused on the source of the threat landscape: the attackers themselves.”
He said the report revealed results that are contrary to the conventional understanding of cyber security.
He added: “Organisations need to get much better at detecting and remediating breaches using a combination of people and technology.”