Cybersecurity breaches emerge as top risk for India Inc: FICCI-EY Survey
Cybersecurity breaches emerge as top risk for India Inc: FICCI-EY Survey
Publish Date: 2026-02-08 07:06:00
Source Domain: m.economictimes.com
Cybersecurity breaches and attacks have emerged as the top risks for Indian companies’ organisational performance, with 51% of senior leaders citing it as their primary concern, according to a new survey released on Sunday.
The ‘FICCI-EY Risk Survey 2026’ identified changing customer demands (49%) and geopolitical events (48%) as the next two most critical risks facing businesses.
The report, which draws on inputs from senior decision-makers across various sectors, highlights that technology risk is now tightly linked to operational continuity.
According to the survey, 61% of respondents feel that rapid technological change and digital disruption are affecting their competitive position. An equal proportion (61%) identified cyber-attacks and data breaches as major financial and reputational threats.
“More than half, 57%, report potential data theft and insider fraud as significant risks, and 47% acknowledge difficulty in addressing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats,” the report stated.
The findings are based on a web-based survey of 137 senior decision-makers, including CXOs. The technology sector had the highest representation in the study at 21%, followed by professional services.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a dual risk area for India Inc.
While 60% of respondents believe inadequate adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, can adversely impact operational effectiveness, 54% feel AI-related risks, including ethical and governance issues, are not being effectively managed.
Commenting on the findings, Rajeev Sharma, Chair, FICCI Committee on Corporate Security & DRR, said, “In a business environment shaped by volatility, the ability to anticipate, absorb and adapt to risk is emerging as a defining capability for sustained growth. The report indicates that organisations are moving away from treating risk as episodic and are instead embedding it into strategic decision-making”.
The survey also flagged significant concerns regarding workforce…
