Core Insights - Cyber incidents remain the top global risk for companies in 2026, marking the fifth consecutive year at this position with a record score of 42% of responses, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year [6][10] - The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled it to the second position in the risk rankings, with 32% of respondents identifying it as a significant concern, up from 10th place in 2025 [8][9] - Business interruption has dropped to the third position, indicating a shift in risk perception, although it remains a significant concern due to its connection with other risks [2][10] Cyber Risks - Cyber incidents are the primary concern across all regions, driven by increasing reliance on digital technology and evolving cyber threats [6][7] - Smaller and mid-sized enterprises are particularly vulnerable due to limited cybersecurity resources, while larger companies are investing in cybersecurity measures [7] - The evolving nature of cyber risks is compounded by reliance on third-party providers and the increasing threat landscape introduced by AI [7] Artificial Intelligence Risks - AI has emerged as a complex source of operational, legal, and reputational risks, with companies recognizing both its strategic opportunities and potential liabilities [9] - The rapid integration of AI into business operations is outpacing governance and regulatory frameworks, leading to heightened exposure to system reliability and data quality issues [9] - Concerns regarding automated decision-making and potential biases in AI models are becoming more pronounced as organizations scale their AI capabilities [9] Business Interruption and Geopolitical Risks - Business interruption is closely linked to geopolitical risks, with rising protectionist policies and regional conflicts contributing to uncertainty in global supply chains [10][11] - Political risks and violence have climbed to the seventh position in the risk rankings, reflecting growing concerns over geopolitical volatility [3][11] - Trade restrictions have significantly increased, affecting an estimated $2.7 trillion of merchandise, which is nearly 20% of global imports, prompting companies to explore alternative supply chain strategies [10]

🛡️Cyber risk & #digital resilience will drive ESMA’s Union Strategic Supervisory Priorities agenda in 2026.🤝 With support from national authorities and #DORA alignment, #ESMA calls for continued efforts on ICT risk management and effective supervision.https://t.co/1B5UDjTplC https://t.co/cOR6Dwtj4E ...

Economic Impact of Government Shutdown - The U.S. government shutdown is causing delays in key economic data, including the September jobs report, which is expected to heighten volatility and reinforce the Federal Reserve's data-dependency dilemma [2][5] - U.S. employers added only 22,000 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3%, the highest since 2021, indicating a cooling labor market [1][3] Business Confidence and Planning - Businesses rely on official data for hiring, investment, and pricing decisions; the shutdown-induced data blackout undermines confidence and increases planning risk [3][5] - CFOs are advised to prioritize agility in scenario planning to prepare for market volatility and disruptions to federal contracts and operations [5] Employment Trends - In August, employers announced 85,979 job cuts, the highest total for that month since 2020, reflecting a challenging employment landscape [3] - ADP reported a decline of 32,000 jobs in the private sector for September, marking the first back-to-back monthly job losses since 2020 [4] Market Activity - E*TRADE reported that clients were net buyers across all 11 S&P 500 sectors in September, with consumer staples, utilities, and consumer discretionary sectors showing significant net buying activity [8][9] - Despite the defensive appearance of some buying activity, significant investments were made in nuclear power stocks and megacap stocks in the consumer discretionary sector [9] Risk Management Insights - Aon's Global Risk Management Survey indicates a rise in geopolitical volatility risks, now among the top 10 global risks, alongside cyber attacks and economic slowdown [11][12] - Only 14% of organizations track their exposure to the top 10 risks, highlighting a gap in risk management practices [12]

Group 1 - Markel Insurance has launched a new cyber insurance product that provides coverage of up to US$5 million for indirect losses resulting from acts of war [1][3][5] - The product addresses the growing concern of cyber risks, particularly for large organizations in critical sectors, as state-sponsored cyber threats are increasing in frequency and severity [2][6] - This new offering is designed as a wrap-around solution for corporate clients with existing cyber insurance policies, allowing them to cover gaps in war-related exclusions [4][6] Group 2 - The new product is part of Markel's response to the evolving needs of clients who require coverage for the indirect impacts of war on their cyber insurance [6][7] - Markel has allocated a fixed aggregate limit specifically for this product, indicating a commitment to addressing these emerging risks in the insurance market [5][7] - The initial limit of coverage is set at US$5 million per risk, with the potential for future expansion based on market demand [5][7]