Cybersecurity Experts Say Rapid Compliance Rushes Hurt Credibility
New research shows 87% of security managers believe automated, fast-tracked certifications fail to build long-term business resilience.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Jun 24, 2026
The rise of accelerated and highly automated compliance services is sparking widespread concern among technology leaders who warn that rushing the certification process undermines long-term business resilience.
New data from business resilience specialist IO indicates that quick-fix compliance offerings contribute to a false perception that a certificate alone guarantees security. Experts argue the true value of compliance stems from establishing, embedding and continuously improving the management systems behind the certificate.
According to the study, 87% of senior cybersecurity managers in the U.K. believe the speed at which certification is achieved directly harms its credibility. Rushing the process often strips away the rigor required to handle real-world digital threats.
Security standards are built on cycles of continuous improvement. Software platforms that treat certification as a one-time documentation exercise run structurally counter to that principle.
The study found that 21% of respondents believe third-party certifications reflect security effectiveness only at the exact time of an audit, noting that these snapshots quickly become outdated. Instead of a rapid certification result, 31% of those surveyed cited continuous monitoring of security controls as the best indicator of true compliance resilience.
The findings also highlight why human expertise remains vital. While automation can accelerate routine checks and evidence gathering, data shows it cannot replace human judgment when interpreting complex regulatory environments or evaluating whether automated actions are accurate.
According to the report, 45% of respondents say human expertise is essential to evaluate whether automated compliance processes are relevant. Additionally, 33% say humans are needed to interpret complex regulations, and 32% say human oversight is required to challenge the credibility or completeness of automated evidence.
Industry experts note that procurement teams and corporate partners are increasingly looking past the certificate itself, demanding that companies demonstrate how compliance is managed on a day-to-day basis through live governance and continuous monitoring.