Risk Management Statistics 2026 — 60 Key Figures

A good risk management program can ensure an organization’s minimization of loss or danger of any kind. Risk management helps organizations by assessing the kinds of risks they may face due to any number of reasons.

What is Risk Management?

Risk management is a process that identifies, assesses, and controls threats to an organization’s capital, earnings, and operations. There are a variety of risks from financial uncertainties, procurement risks, legal liabilities, supply chain risks, natural disasters, and even PR scandals.

Effective Risk Management shows an organization the full array of risks that it faces and makes sure to have a strategy for avoiding and mitigating these risks as much as possible.

60 Risk Management Key Figures of 2026

Here are some of the key figures in Risk Management that may be of significance for today’s current climate.

1. Cyber incidents are the top global business risk in 2026, with 42% of responses

In 2026, cyber incidents are ranked as the top global business risk, with 42% of responses identifying them as the main corporate concern.

This shows that digital threats such as ransomware, data breaches, IT outages, and cyber fraud remain the most serious risk area for companies. As a result, organizations need stronger cybersecurity strategies, incident response plans, supplier risk controls, and continuous monitoring of digital vulnerabilities.

2. Artificial intelligence ranks as the #2 global business risk in 2026, with 32% of responses

Artificial intelligence is the biggest riser in the Allianz Risk Barometer 2026, moving to #2 with 32% of responses.

This shows that AI is increasingly seen not only as a business opportunity, but also as a source of operational, cyber, legal, ethical, and reputational risk. Companies need clear AI governance, data protection rules, internal policies, and risk controls to manage AI adoption safely.

3. Geoeconomic confrontation is the top global risk for 2026, selected by 18% of respondents

The World Economic Forum reports that 18% of respondents selected geoeconomic confrontation as the top risk most likely to trigger a material global crisis in 2026.

This risk includes trade tensions, sanctions, export controls, tariffs, investment restrictions, and economic fragmentation between countries. For companies, this means that risk management must include geopolitical monitoring, supplier diversification, market scenario planning, and stronger supply chain resilience.

4. State-based armed conflict is the second major global risk for 2026, selected by 14% of respondents

The World Economic Forum states that 14% of respondents selected state-based armed conflict as the top risk for 2026.

This shows that geopolitical instability remains one of the most important sources of business uncertainty, especially for companies exposed to global supply chains, energy markets, logistics corridors, and international trade. Organizations need to include geopolitical disruption, transport route instability, supplier exposure, and market volatility in their risk management planning.

5. Cyber risk is forecast to remain the #1 global risk through 2028

Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey states that cyber risk tops the global risk agenda and is forecast to retain the number one position through 2028.

This confirms that cyber risk is not only a short-term concern but also a long-term strategic risk for organizations. Companies should invest in cyber resilience, risk quantification, employee awareness, insurance alignment, and third-party cybersecurity management.

6. Artificial intelligence is expected to enter the top 10 future business risks by 2028

Aon’s 2025 Global Risk Management Survey shows that artificial intelligence is expected to enter the top 10 future risks by 2028

 This indicates that companies expect AI to become a more important risk area as adoption accelerates across operations, decision-making, data processing, and automation. Organizations need to manage AI-related risks through governance, human oversight, cybersecurity controls, compliance processes, and responsible use policies.

7. Climate change is expected to enter the top 10 future business risks by 2028

Aon’s survey also states that climate change is expected to join the top 10 future risks by 2028.

This shows that companies increasingly expect climate-related events, extreme weather, transition risk, regulation, and resource disruption to affect business continuity. Risk management strategies should therefore include climate resilience, supplier exposure assessment, business continuity planning, and sustainability-related risk monitoring.

8. 43% of executives selected cybersecurity as a top strategic investment priority for 2026

Protiviti’s 2026 Top Risks and Opportunities Survey found that 43% of executives selected cybersecurity as a top strategic investment priority.

This shows that executives see cybersecurity as essential for resilience, business continuity, growth protection, and stakeholder trust. Investment in cybersecurity helps companies reduce disruption risk, protect sensitive data, and prepare for a more complex threat environment in 2026.

9. Security and data are the most-cited AI-related risks for 2026, at 31%

Protiviti’s 2026 report shows that security and data, at 31%, are the most-cited AI-related risk.

This means executives are concerned that AI can create new attack surfaces, expose sensitive data, and increase uncertainty around data governance. Organizations need stronger AI security controls, access management, data governance, monitoring, and internal accountability when using AI tools.

10. Business interruption is the #3 global business risk in 2026, with 29% of responses

Business interruption, including supply chain disruption, ranks as the #3 global business risk in 2026, with 29% of responses.

This shows that companies remain highly exposed to operational disruptions caused by cyber incidents, geopolitical instability, supplier failures, logistics issues, and climate-related events. Risk management teams need to strengthen business continuity planning, supply chain visibility, alternative sourcing, and crisis response capabilities.

11. Only 3% of respondents view their supply chains as very resilient in 2026

Allianz reports that only 3% of respondents view their supply chains as “very resilient” amid rising 2026 risks.

This highlights a major gap between the level of supply chain disruption companies face and their confidence in being able to absorb shocks. Organizations need greater supplier diversification, more robust regional risk assessment, larger inventory buffers, and resilience-focused procurement strategies.

12. 51% of respondents see global supply chain paralysis as a plausible Black Swan scenario in the next five years

According to Allianz, 51% of respondents see global supply chain paralysis caused by geopolitical conflict as the most plausible Black Swan scenario likely to materialize in the next five years.

This shows that companies are increasingly concerned about severe, low-probability but high-impact disruptions that can stop production, delay deliveries, and increase costs. Risk managers should prepare through scenario planning, supplier mapping, contingency contracts, and stronger logistics flexibility.

13. 29% of respondents see mass social unrest and political instability as a plausible Black Swan scenario in the next five years

Allianz found that 29% of respondents rank mass social unrest and political instability affecting business continuity as a plausible Black Swan scenario in the next five years.

This indicates that social and political instability can directly affect operations, transport routes, suppliers, workforce availability, and market access. Companies need to monitor country risk, political developments, stakeholder tensions, and operational exposure in unstable regions.

14. 50% of respondents expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook over the next two years

The World Economic Forum reports that 50% of respondents expect either a turbulent or stormy global outlook over the next two years.

This shows that risk professionals expect the period up to 2028 to be marked by uncertainty, instability, and stronger interconnections between geopolitical, economic, technological, and environmental risks. Businesses should respond with scenario planning, flexible strategies, and stronger enterprise risk management systems.

15. 57% of respondents expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook over the next 10 years

The World Economic Forum states that 57% of respondents expect a turbulent or stormy global outlook over the next 10 years.

This means that long-term risk management cannot focus only on immediate threats, because uncertainty is expected to remain high through the next decade. Companies need to build resilience into strategy, investment planning, supplier networks, technology governance, and sustainability programs.

16. 68% of respondents expect a multipolar or fragmented global political environment over the next 10 years

The World Economic Forum reports that 68% of respondents expect the global political environment over the next 10 years to become multipolar or fragmented.

This means that companies may face more regional rules, competing regulatory systems, geopolitical tensions, and market access challenges. Risk management should include geopolitical intelligence, compliance monitoring, regional supplier strategies, and market diversification.

17. 64% of organizations are accounting for geopolitically motivated cyberattacks in 2026

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 reports that 64% of organizations account for geopolitically motivated cyberattacks in their risk mitigation strategies.

These attacks can include disruption of critical infrastructure, espionage, data theft, and politically motivated cyber operations. Companies need to connect cybersecurity planning with geopolitical risk monitoring, crisis response, and critical infrastructure protection.

18. 91% of the largest organizations changed their cybersecurity strategies due to geopolitical volatility

The World Economic Forum reports that 91% of the largest organizations have changed their cybersecurity strategies because of geopolitical volatility.

This shows that cyber risk is increasingly shaped by international tensions, political conflict, sanctions, and state-linked cyber activity. Large organizations need adaptive cybersecurity strategies, threat intelligence, supplier cyber assessments, and stronger executive-level cyber governance.

19. 31% of respondents have low confidence in their nation’s ability to respond to major cyber incidents

The World Economic Forum states that 31% of survey respondents report low confidence in their nation’s ability to respond to major cyber incidents.

This suggests that companies cannot rely only on public-sector preparedness when facing large-scale cyber disruption. Organizations need their own cyber resilience plans, incident response teams, backup systems, recovery procedures, and coordination with external partners.

20. 40% of respondents expect an unsettled global outlook over the next two years

The World Economic Forum reports that 40% of respondents expect the global outlook to be unsettled over the next two years.

This shows that risk leaders expect uncertainty to remain high through 2028, even if they do not classify the environment as fully turbulent or stormy. Companies should prepare for unstable markets, geopolitical pressure, economic volatility, and fast-changing operating conditions.

21. 32% of respondents expect an unsettled global outlook over the next 10 years

The World Economic Forum states that 32% of respondents expect the global outlook to be unsettled over the next 10 years.

This indicates that long-term risk management must account for persistent instability rather than short-term disruption only. Organizations need flexible strategies, scenario planning, and resilience models that can adapt to different economic, political, and technological conditions.

22. Only 1% of respondents expect a calm global outlook across both future time horizons

According to the World Economic Forum, only 1% of respondents expect a calm global outlook across the two-year and 10-year time horizons.

This shows that almost no risk experts expect the global environment to become stable and predictable in the coming years. For businesses, this means risk management should become more proactive, forward-looking, and integrated into strategic planning

23. Only 6% of respondents expect a return to the previous unipolar, rules-based international order

The World Economic Forum reports that only 6% of respondents expect a reinvigoration of the previous unipolar, rules-based international order.

This suggests that most experts expect global politics to remain fragmented, competitive, and shaped by regional power blocs. Companies should prepare for more complex compliance requirements, regional regulations, trade barriers, and geopolitical risk exposure.

24. Economic downturn rose eight positions to #11 in the two-year risk outlook

The World Economic Forum reports that economic downturn rose eight positions to #11 in the two-year risk outlook.

This shows that economic risk is becoming more important as companies face pressure from debt, lower growth, trade disruption, and weaker demand. Risk management teams should include economic scenarios, cost pressure, liquidity risk, and market volatility in their planning.

25. Inflation rose eight positions to #21 in the two-year risk outlook

The World Economic Forum states that inflation rose eight positions to #21 in the two-year risk outlook.

This indicates that price instability remains a relevant business risk for procurement, supply chains, budgeting, and financial planning. Companies should monitor input costs, supplier pricing, wage pressure, and contract terms to reduce exposure to inflation-related disruption.

26. Asset bubble burst rose seven positions to #18 in the two-year risk outlook

The World Economic Forum reports that the asset bubble burst rose seven positions to #18 in the two-year risk outlook. 

This suggests that experts are increasingly concerned about financial market instability and overvalued assets. Companies should consider financial stress scenarios, credit risk, investment exposure, and the potential impact of market corrections on business performance.

27. Misinformation and disinformation rank #2 in the two-year global risk outlook

The World Economic Forum ranks misinformation and disinformation as the #2 risk in the two-year global risk outlook. 

This shows that information integrity is becoming a major risk for societies, institutions, markets, and companies. Businesses need stronger communication controls, brand monitoring, crisis communication plans, and digital trust strategies.

28. Cyber insecurity ranks #6 in the two-year global risk outlook

The World Economic Forum ranks cyber insecurity as the #6 risk in the two-year global risk outlook.

This confirms that cyber risk remains one of the most important future risks for organizations, governments, and critical infrastructure. Companies should strengthen cybersecurity governance, third-party cyber risk management, employee awareness, and incident response capabilities.

29. Adverse outcomes of AI rise from #30 in the two-year outlook to #5 in the 10-year outlook

The World Economic Forum reports that adverse outcomes of AI move from #30 in the two-year outlook to #5 in the 10-year outlook.

This shows that AI risk is expected to become much more important over the next decade as AI becomes embedded in business, public services, and decision-making. Organizations need AI governance, transparency, human oversight, ethical controls, and risk monitoring to reduce long-term exposure.

30. Adverse outcomes of frontier technologies move from #33 to #25 in the 10-year risk outlook

The World Economic Forum states that adverse outcomes of frontier technologies move from #33 in the two-year outlook to #25 in the 10-year outlook.

This suggests that risks linked to advanced technologies may become more relevant as innovation accelerates. Companies should track emerging risks connected to automation, robotics, quantum technologies, advanced computing, and digital infrastructure.

31. 64% of organizations have processes in place to assess AI security in 2026

The World Economic Forum reports that the share of organizations with processes to assess AI security increased from 37% in 2025 to 64% in 2026.

This shows that companies are responding to the cybersecurity risks created by rapid AI adoption. Risk teams should make AI security assessment a standard part of technology governance, vendor evaluation, and internal control systems.

32. 87% of respondents identify AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk

The World Economic Forum found that 87% of respondents identify AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing cyber risk.

This shows that AI can increase exposure through model vulnerabilities, data leakage, malicious use, and weak governance. Organizations need to combine cybersecurity, AI governance, data protection, and employee training to manage this emerging risk.

33. 53% of TPRM programs are mostly integrated with enterprise risk management

KPMG’s 2026 Global Third-Party Risk Management Survey found that 53% of TPRM programs are mostly integrated with enterprise risk management. This shows that many organizations have started connecting third-party risk with broader risk governance. However, partial integration can still leave gaps in supplier visibility, accountability, reporting, and risk ownership.

34. Only 18% of TPRM programs are fully integrated with enterprise risk management

KPMG reports that only 18% of third-party risk management programs are fully integrated with enterprise risk management. This means many companies still manage supplier and vendor risks separately from wider business risk processes. Full integration can help organizations improve oversight, reduce duplication, and create a clearer enterprise-wide view of risk.

35. Only 5% of organizations have end-to-end managed services in place for TPRM

KPMG found that end-to-end managed services for third-party risk management are in place in only 5% of organizations.

This shows that most companies have not yet fully scaled or outsourced TPRM operations. As supplier ecosystems become more complex, organizations may need more scalable models for due diligence, monitoring, risk scoring, and compliance checks.

36. More than half of organizations are exploring AI in third-party risk management

KPMG reports that more than half of organizations are exploring artificial intelligence in third-party risk management.

This shows that companies are looking for better ways to automate due diligence, supplier monitoring, risk analysis, and risk scoring. However, AI adoption in TPRM also requires reliable data, strong governance, and clear human oversight.

37. Only 22% of organizations find AI very effective in third-party risk management

KPMG found that only 22% of organizations consider AI “very effective” in third-party risk management.

This suggests that many companies are still struggling to turn AI experimentation into measurable risk management value. To improve results, organizations need better data quality, clearer use cases, stronger controls, and integration with existing TPRM processes.

38. Only 17% of respondents have completely reliable and integrated TPRM data

KPMG reports that only 17% of respondents say they have completely reliable, valid, consistent, and integrated data in third-party risk management.

This shows that poor data quality remains a major barrier to effective supplier and vendor risk decisions. Without reliable data, companies may struggle with automated risk analysis, due diligence, questionnaire evaluation, scoring, and continuous monitoring.

39. 61% of executives expect a significant increase in risk responsibility over the next 3–5 years

KPMG’s Future of Risk research found that 61% of executives expect a significant increase in the level of risk they will be responsible for in the next three to five years.

This shows that risk management is becoming a broader leadership responsibility, not only a function owned by risk departments. Companies should build risk ownership across the C-suite, business units, procurement, operations, technology, and finance.

40. 31% of CEOs say their company is highly exposed to cyber-related financial loss in the year ahead

PwC’s 2026 Global CEO Survey found that 31% of CEOs say their company is highly or extremely exposed to significant financial loss from cyber threats in the year ahead.

This shows that cyber risk is now a direct financial and strategic concern for business leaders. Companies need stronger cyber resilience, insurance alignment, board oversight, and investment in secure digital operations.

41. 84% of CEOs plan to improve enterprise-wide cybersecurity practices because of geopolitical risk

PwC reports that 84% of CEOs plan to improve enterprise-wide cybersecurity practices in response to geopolitical risk.

This shows that cyber risk and geopolitical risk are increasingly connected, especially through state-linked attacks, sanctions, infrastructure threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Organizations should align cybersecurity planning with geopolitical monitoring, supplier risk management, and crisis response strategies.

42. 94% of organizations say AI is transforming the cybersecurity risk landscape in 2026

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 reports that 94% of organizations see AI as the leading force transforming the cybersecurity risk landscape.

This shows that AI is changing both how companies defend themselves and how attackers create new threats. Risk management teams need to include AI-driven cyber threats, automated attacks, fraud, data leakage, and model vulnerabilities in their 2026 cybersecurity strategies.

43. 30% of CEOs identify data leaks as their top generative AI security concern for 2026

The World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 found that 30% of CEOs identify data leaks as the most significant security concern related to generative AI.

This shows that leaders are especially worried about proprietary, confidential, or sensitive data being exposed through AI tools. Companies should manage this risk through data access controls, AI usage policies, employee training, and secure deployment of generative AI systems.

44. 28% of CEOs see adversarial capabilities as a major generative AI security concern in 2026

The same World Economic Forum report states that 28% of CEOs identify the advancement of adversarial capabilities as a key security concern related to generative AI.

This means executives expect attackers to use AI to improve phishing, malware development, social engineering, vulnerability discovery, and cyber intrusion tactics. Organizations need stronger threat intelligence, AI-aware security controls, employee awareness, and rapid incident response capabilities.

45. 81% of IT professionals expect web-based attacks to become more sophisticated in the coming years

NordLayer’s Web-Based Threats Report 2026 found that 81% of IT professionals expect web-based attacks to become more sophisticated in the coming years.

This shows that browser-based risks are becoming more important as organizations rely on SaaS tools, remote work, and browser-accessible applications. Companies need stronger browser security, identity controls, zero-trust access, and monitoring of web-based workflows.

46. 73% of IT professionals expect web-based security incidents to increase in the coming years

NordLayer’s 2026 research also found that 73% of IT professionals believe web-based security incidents will increase in the coming years.

This indicates that organizations expect attackers to continue exploiting browsers, stolen credentials, cookies, and SaaS access points. Risk managers should treat browser security as a key part of cyber risk management, especially in cloud-based and remote-work environments.

47. 52% of risk leaders are preparing for a surge in new regulations

PwC reports that 52% of risk leaders are preparing for a surge in new regulations over the next 12–24 months. 

This shows that regulatory risk is becoming a major future concern as companies face new rules around technology, data, privacy, digital assets, competition, and corporate responsibility. Organizations need stronger compliance monitoring, flexible internal controls, and faster response processes to manage changing regulatory requirements.

48. 55% of risk leaders are investing in better crisis management

PwC found that 55% of risk leaders are investing in better crisis management.

This indicates that companies expect more complex and overlapping disruptions in the coming period, including cyber incidents, operational shocks, geopolitical events, and financial pressure. Strong crisis management helps organizations respond faster, coordinate teams better, and reduce business interruption.

49. 46% of risk leaders have mature data protection practices

PwC reports that only 46% of risk leaders say their organizations have mature data protection practices.

This shows that many companies still have gaps in securing sensitive, high-value, and regulated data. As data risk increases, organizations need stronger governance, protection, minimization, and discovery processes.

50. 39% of risk leaders have mature processes for discovering sensitive data

PwC found that only 39% of risk leaders say their organizations have mature processes for discovering the most sensitive and high-value data.

This means many companies may not fully know where their critical data is stored, how it is used, or who has access to it. Without strong data discovery, organizations face higher exposure to cyber, privacy, compliance, and operational risks.

51. 63% of executives expect corporate disputes to increase in the next 12 months

AlixPartners’ 2026 U.S. Risk Survey found that 63% of respondents expect corporate disputes to increase in the next 12 months.

This shows that companies expect more legal, commercial, contractual, and regulatory conflicts as economic volatility and technology disruption continue. Risk management teams should strengthen contract governance, dispute prevention, documentation, and legal risk monitoring.

52. 80% of compliance professionals say fragmented AI policy creates strategic compliance risk

AlixPartners reports that 80% of respondents say the fragmented AI regulatory landscape puts their compliance efforts at risk.

This shows that uncertainty around AI regulation is becoming a major 2026 risk for companies using or scaling AI. Organizations need AI governance structures, board oversight, compliance monitoring, and clear accountability for AI-related decisions.

53. 45% of organizations lack key AI governance elements

AlixPartners found that 45% of organizations do not have key AI governance elements in place, such as an AI governing body, board engagement, external AI consultants, or an AI leader.

This creates risk because companies may adopt AI faster than they can control, explain, and monitor it. Strong AI governance is important for reducing compliance, operational, data, and reputational risks in 2026.

54. 48% of respondents feel very prepared to address financial crime and fraud in 2026

AlixPartners states that only 48% of respondents feel very prepared to address financial crime and fraud in the year ahead.

This means that more than half of organizations may have preparedness gaps in areas such as fraud detection, sanctions compliance, money laundering risk, and AI-enabled financial crime. Companies need stronger detection technologies, monitoring processes, escalation procedures, and compliance controls.

55. 65% of respondents cite cybersecurity incidents as a major concern over the next 12 months

AlixPartners found that 65% of respondents cite cybersecurity incidents as one of the most concerning risk events for their organization over the next 12 months.

This shows that cyber risk remains central to enterprise risk management in 2026. Organizations need stronger cyber resilience, incident response, employee awareness, and third-party cyber risk controls.

56. 58% of respondents cite data privacy events as a major concern over the next 12 months

AlixPartners reports that 58% of respondents cite data privacy events as one of their most concerning risk events over the next 12 months.

This indicates that companies expect stronger pressure from data breaches, privacy regulations, customer expectations, and fragmented legal requirements. Risk managers should strengthen privacy governance, data encryption, access controls, and regulatory monitoring.

57. 34% of respondents cite AI-powered cyberattacks as a top cybersecurity concern in 2026

AlixPartners found that 34% of respondents cite AI-powered cyberattacks as a top cybersecurity concern, doubling from 17% the previous year.

This shows that companies expect attackers to use AI for phishing, fraud, malware, social engineering, and vulnerability discovery. Organizations need AI-aware cyber defenses, stronger threat intelligence, and faster incident response.

58. 68% of organizations are not very prepared to address supply chain disruptions in 2026

AlixPartners reports that 68% of organizations are not very prepared to address supply chain disruptions, compared with 59% the previous year.

This shows that supply chain risk remains a major weakness as companies face geopolitical tension, cyber threats, logistics disruption, and supplier instability. Companies need better supplier visibility, contingency planning, alternative sourcing, and operational resilience.

59. 78% of executives lack strong confidence that they could pass an AI governance audit within 90 days

Grant Thornton’s 2026 AI Impact Survey found that 78% of business executives lack strong confidence that they could pass an independent AI governance audit within 90 days.

This shows that many organizations are scaling AI without enough proof, documentation, accountability, and governance. To reduce AI risk, companies need clearer decision records, ownership models, controls, and audit-ready governance systems.

60. 74% of respondents identify inaccuracy as a highly relevant AI risk in 2026

McKinsey’s 2026 research found that 74% of respondents identify inaccuracy as a highly relevant AI risk.

This shows that companies are concerned about AI systems producing incorrect, unreliable, or misleading outputs as adoption expands. Organizations need validation processes, human oversight, quality controls, and clear accountability for AI-generated decisions. 

Importance of Risk Management

Organizations face all kinds of uncertainties and minimizing those uncertainties greatly improves the organization’s chances of being successful.

Risk Management can calculate these uncertainties that corporations face and even how much impact these uncertainties have on the corporations themselves and the global community.

Having good risk management means having a good basis for decision-making and acting proactively instead of reactively when faced with risks. It mitigates and minimizes the impact of risks since it is handled professionally and systemically.

Conclusion

Although risk management proves to be useful and integral for smooth business affairs it is still often overlooked. Organizations can do so much more to help themselves when it comes to risk management.

There is a need for more comprehensive approaches to dealing with potential threats, especially with the ever-changing landscape of risk management.

As new technologies and business practices grow, threats also lurk in the background ready to pounce on any weakness and ensure harm to an organization. Firms should keep vigilant and make sure their risk management programs are up to date and in constant improvement.