Aon survey finds geopolitical volatility breaks into global top 10 business risks

Core Insights - Aon's 2025 Global Risk Management Survey reveals a significant shift in global business risks, with geopolitical volatility entering the top ten for the first time, indicating heightened concerns about market instability and regulatory changes [2][3] Group 1: Survey Findings - The survey includes responses from nearly 3,000 executives and risk professionals across 63 countries, showing a notable rise in geopolitical volatility, which increased 12 places since the 2023 survey [3] - Despite the prominence of geopolitical risks, only 14% of organizations track their exposure to the top ten risks, and just 19% utilize analytics to assess their insurance program effectiveness, highlighting a gap in proactive risk management [4] Group 2: Cybersecurity and Workforce Risks - Cybersecurity remains the top concern in Aon's rankings, with the complexity of cyber risks being unprecedented; however, only 13% of organizations have quantified their cyber exposure, leading to underinsurance and financial vulnerability [5] - Workforce-related risks have declined in the rankings, falling out of the top ten, but this does not diminish their importance as they are interconnected with other risks like cyber threats and supply chain disruptions [6][7] Group 3: Future Risk Landscape - Looking ahead to 2028, cyber risk continues to lead, while artificial intelligence and climate change have emerged in the top ten for the first time, indicating rapid changes in the risk landscape [8] - The convergence of technology, geopolitics, and environmental pressures necessitates that organizations adopt flexible strategies to enhance resilience [9] Group 4: Strategic Implications - Aon emphasizes that risks are increasingly interconnected, requiring organizations to embed resilience across all functions and view risk management as a competitive advantage rather than merely a protective measure [10]