The landscape of cyber threats was dramatically altered in 2025, escalating from mere data breaches to significant disruptions affecting entire business operations. A notable incident was the cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover, which led to a five-week halt in production and necessitated a $2 billion bailout from the British government.
This event underscored a shift in focus for 2025: rather than data theft, the emphasis moved to operational disruptions grabbing headlines. As we advance into 2026, boards must prioritize ensuring business continuity and resilience against emerging threats, including those from AI, quantum computing, and geopolitical tensions.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
AI poses a dual threat by enhancing both the severity and frequency of cyberattacks. However, boards often overlook AI’s potential to fundamentally undermine organizational trust. Data is crucial for executive decision-making, and as reliance on automated systems increases, maintaining data integrity becomes paramount. Any compromise—whether through manipulation or corruption—can lead to operational misalignments, often discovered only after significant damage has occurred.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
In today’s interconnected business environment, supply chains are critical yet vulnerable. Organizations depend on a network of cloud services, suppliers, and vendors, making them susceptible to attacks initiated through third parties. Despite the origin of an attack, the primary organization faces the reputational and financial fallout, as public perception often blames the most visible brand.
The Quantum Computing Challenge
Quantum computing introduces significant risks, particularly concerning encryption. While the immediate threat of breaking current encryption standards is not imminent, transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) presents a formidable challenge. This transition requires time, given the integration of encryption across existing systems and collaborations. Organizations must also consider the longevity of their data protection strategies as quantum advancements progress.
Geopolitical Tensions and Cybersecurity
Geopolitical conflicts add layers of complexity to cyber risk management, especially for organizations that operate globally. Such conflicts introduce unpredictability, as state-sponsored attacks aim to disrupt and pressure foreign entities. Effective defense strategies must navigate cross-border legalities and require collaboration between public and private sectors, ensuring that corporate actions remain apolitical.
A Unified Approach to Resilience
Navigating these challenges calls for a cohesive resilience strategy. Boards should integrate AI, third-party, quantum, and geopolitical risks into a unified agenda. This involves pre-defining critical system thresholds that ensure operational viability during disruptions and maintaining robust communication channels with regulators and stakeholders.
Building resilience involves a thorough inventory of encrypted assets and prioritizing the protection of sensitive data. Organizations should embark on a multi-year plan to adapt to quantum computing’s future impact, ensuring readiness and continuity.
Boards that approach these risks as interconnected components of a resilience strategy, rather than isolated issues, will better navigate the complexities of 2026 and beyond, ensuring the continuity and integrity of business operations in the face of evolving threats.
