
Cyber incidents such as data breaches or ransomware attacks and IT disruptions are the biggest worry for companies globally in 2025, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer.
Companies identified cyberattacks – especially data breaches – as their top business concern for the year ahead, with 38% of survey respondents putting this at the top of their agenda.
Allianz ranked BI second, while natural catastrophe activity came in third.
The impact of a super election year, rising geopolitical tensions and the potential for trade wars has meant changes in legislation and regulation came in as the fourth-highest concern for businesses globally in 2025.
The biggest riser in this year’s Risk Barometer is climate change, which moved from seventh to fifth, achieving its highest-ever position in 14 years of the survey.
In the UK, cyber and BI mirror the global first- and second-place rankings, but given the change in government in 2024, changes in legislation and regulation have risen up the ranks to number three.
Allianz commercial CUO Vanessa Maxwell said: “2024 was an extraordinary year in terms of risk management and the results of our annual Allianz Risk Barometer reflect the uncertainty many companies around the globe are facing right now.
“What stands out this year is the interconnectivity of the top risks. Climate change, emerging technology, regulation and geopolitical risks are increasingly intertwined, resulting in a complex network of cause and effect,” she continued.
“Businesses need to adopt a holistic approach to risk management and consistently strive to enhance their resilience in order to address these fast-evolving risks.”