Beazley has released its latest Risk & Resilience report, highlighting a growing divergence between rising concern over cyber risks and confidence in organisational preparedness.
The 2025 edition, titled Spotlight on Tech Transformation & Cyber Risk, is based on a global survey of business leaders and examines their views on cyber threats, emerging technologies, and operational risks.
According to the report, 29% of global executives identified cyber risk as their top concern, up from 26% in 2024. This marks the first increase in reported concern since 2021. Despite this, 83% of respondents said they felt prepared to manage cyber threats, up from 74% last year. The report suggests this confidence may not reflect the complexity and pace of the current cyber threat environment.
The study outlines several areas of risk that organisations are facing, including cyber warfare, third-party vulnerabilities, and the increased use of artificial intelligence in ransomware attacks. Hacktivism is also noted as a growing factor, with politically or ideologically motivated actors targeting businesses in specific regions or sectors.
Beazley notes that while executives are increasingly aware of these risks, actual preparedness may lag. The report points to regulatory challenges and operational pressures that could limit an organisation’s ability to respond effectively to threats.
Investment in cyber risk management appears to be increasing. According to the survey, 79% of executives said their organisation plans to strengthen cyber security by working with third-party providers, while 37% indicated plans to invest more in internal cyber security capabilities this year.
The report also captures executive sentiment on artificial intelligence, with 79% of respondents believing AI will have a positive impact on their business outlook. At the same time, 66% expect AI to result in job reductions over the next 18 months. Concern around intellectual property and data privacy is also rising, though perceived risk from technology obsolescence has slightly declined.
Alessandro Lezzi, Group Head of Cyber Risk at Beazley, said: “The contradiction between cyber threat concern and perceived resilience does not reflect the reality of today’s cyber and tech threat landscape, which is more dynamic and unpredictable than ever.”
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