31% of CEOs fear significant losses from attacks
31% of CEOs fear significant losses from attacks
Publish Date: 2026-02-26 21:42:00
Source Domain: www.merca20.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
CANVA
Cybersecurity is no longer an issue limited to IT departments. In 2026, it has become a strategic priority for boards of directors and CEOs. This is confirmed by the PwC 29th Global CEO Survey 2026: Leading through uncertainty in the age of AI, which notes that 31% of chief executives globally fear their company will suffer significant financial losses from cyberattacks in the next 12 months.
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The figure marks an increase compared to previous years and places cybersecurity on the same level as macroeconomic volatility among the main threats facing companies.
Why Is Cybersecurity Now One of the Biggest Threats to Companies?
PwC’s report shows that CEOs perceive an increasingly complex business environment, where technology, geopolitics, and accelerated digitalization amplify risks.
Nearly one-third of leaders surveyed believe their organization is highly or extremely exposed to financial losses resulting from cyberattacks. This figure has steadily increased in recent years, reflecting a clear shift in risk perception.
Cybersecurity is no longer seen solely as a technical issue, but as a factor that can directly impact:
⇒ Revenue.
⇒ Investor confidence.
⇒ Brand reputation.
⇒ Operational continuity.
⇒ Shareholder value.
In other words, the meaning of digital risk has expanded: it is now a strategic risk.
How Is Cybersecurity Linked to Business Innovation?
Within PwC’s study context, innovation and artificial intelligence adoption are transforming companies — but they are also expanding the digital attack surface.
The same report highlights that companies are investing in AI, although many still struggle to achieve clear financial returns. This technological transformation process, if not accompanied by strong controls, can increase vulnerability to cyber incidents.
Innovation without a robust security architecture can become a liability. That is why PwC emphasizes the importance of building solid foundations that include:
⇒ Technological environments prepared to integrate AI securely.
⇒ Formal risk management processes.
⇒ Responsible AI programs.
⇒ An organizational culture focused on data protection.
This is the true meaning of innovation in 2026: not just digitalizing, but doing so with resilience.
What Are Companies Doing in Response to the Rise in Attacks?
The report states that 84% of CEOs plan to improve cybersecurity practices across the enterprise in response to geopolitical risks. This figure confirms that digital threats are not viewed in isolation, but as part of a globally interconnected environment.
Geopolitics, international conflicts, and trade fragmentation increase exposure to state-sponsored attacks or coordinated campaigns of disinformation and digital sabotage. For many companies, the strategy includes strengthening incident detection and response systems; investing in specialized talent; reinforcing supply chain security; and reviewing digital governance protocols at the board level.
Cybersecurity: Trust and Market Value
PwC also directly links trust issues to financial performance. Two-thirds of CEOs (66%) acknowledge that their company has faced stakeholder concerns related to data privacy, digital security, or the responsible use of AI.
The study’s analysis reveals that companies with fewer trust-related concerns achieved significantly higher shareholder returns compared to those facing more incidents or reputational challenges. This demonstrates that cybersecurity is not an operational expense, but an investment that protects value.
