Top Risks That Define Business Today and Tomorrow
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Aon’s latest Global Risk Management Survey shows that businesses across the world are entering a new era of overlapping and fast-moving risks. Technology disruption, geopolitical instability, climate extremes and workforce pressures are reshaping how organisations think about resilience — and accountants play a central role in helping clients prepare.
Below are the key insights relevant to finance and advisory professionals.
Cyber Risk Remains the Number One Threat
Cyber attacks and data breaches continue to top the global risk rankings. With AI-driven tools becoming more common, attacks are increasing in scale and complexity. Businesses that invest in strong cyber controls, incident-response planning and continuous monitoring are better able to protect their operations.
📌Encourage clients to prioritise cyber readiness, update internal controls, and model the financial impact of cyber incidents:
Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on banking and key apps.
Be alert to phishing attempts — your bank will never request your PIN or password via email, SMS or phone.
Monitor your statements and credit report to spot unfamiliar transactions or accounts.
Use SAFPS protective registration if your ID is stolen or compromised.
Store personal documents securely and shred anything showing your details.
Be cautious with card payments, shield your PIN, and avoid accepting help from strangers at ATMs.
Verify payment instructions via a trusted channel, as emails can be intercepted.
Business Interruption and Economic Slowdown Are Still Major Concerns
Business interruption and slow economic recovery remain in the top three risks worldwide (page 3). Supply chain weaknesses, regulatory changes and political instability are driving operational delays and financial pressure.
📌Assist clients with liquidity planning, review continuity strategies and assess whether clients have adequate insurance coverage.
Geopolitical Volatility Has Jumped Dramatically
Geopolitical risk has risen nearly 30 places since 2019 and now ranks ninth globally (page 3). Conflicts, sanctions, shifting trade rules and energy insecurity are creating ripple effects across supply chains and balance sheets (page 11).
📌Help clients diversify suppliers, plan for regulatory shifts and consider additional risk-finance solutions.
Climate Risk Is Now a Financial Risk
Climate change and natural disasters reached their highest rankings ever (page 6 and page 13). Extreme weather is disrupting logistics, damaging assets and increasing insurance costs.
📌Guide clients to integrate climate scenarios into long-term planning and consider whether existing insurance and business-continuity plans are still sufficient.
Workforce Risks Are Growing but Often Overlooked
Despite ranking lower globally, workforce issues — absenteeism, rising healthcare costs, talent shortages — are among the most frequent sources of financial loss (page 6). Many companies underestimate the financial impact of people-related risks.
📌Encourage clients to invest in upskilling, workforce analytics and stronger HR planning, especially as AI changes job roles.
What Will Set You Apart
A key insight from the survey is that high-resilience organisations think differently. They don’t view risk as an isolated issue but as a strategic function. They integrate risk information across departments, use forward-looking analytics and rely on scenario planning to prepare for uncertainty. These organisations adapt faster, make better decisions and experience fewer financial shocks.
What risks will dominate in the future?
The survey shows that current risks aren’t going away, they’re becoming more severe and more connected. By 2028, cyber attacks are expected to remain the most critical global threat as AI-driven crime accelerates. Geopolitical instability will climb even higher as conflicts and global tensions reshape markets and supply chains. Climate-related risks will move into the top tier for the first time, acting as a “risk multiplier” that worsens business interruption, insurance costs and financial losses. Economic uncertainty, regulatory pressure and talent shortages will continue to add strain, creating a future risk environment that is more volatile and harder to predict.
The Bottom Line
For accountants, these findings highlight the need to help clients move from reactive risk management to proactive planning. This includes strengthening internal controls, stress-testing cash flow, reviewing insurance and continuity strategies, and using data to identify early warning signs. As risks become more complex and interconnected, the role of finance professionals in guiding resilience, risk governance and long-term planning will only continue to grow.
