While COVID-19 laid bare the many interconnected global risks resilience professionals have to navigate, some unanticipated risks – including workplace and regulatory issues – are also emerging.
Among the responses from a recent AuditBoard survey of professionals in North America:
- 90% consider cybersecurity and data protection top risks
- In part, that’s because the increase in remote work has increased the use of new technologies and the relevant security concerns, and
- It has also brought new challenges regarding organizational relationships and talent retention.
Those surveyed also point to the changing risk landscape post-pandemic, heading as far out as 2025, in particular:
- Changing economic conditions
- Disruption of business due to new business models
- Third-party risks
- Environmental sustainability/climate change
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Effectiveness of board oversight/management, and
- Implementation of artificial intelligence.
The response to these challenges has been to increase resources. In 2021, twice as many respondents reported increased budgets compared to those who experienced declines, and nearly three times as many increased staff as decreased staff. This trend is expected to continue into the future: Over the next two years, 52% forecast budget increases, while 46% expect to expand their teams.
Click here to read the complete survey.