Cybersecurity 2026: Cyberattacks top risk for UK businesses

Cyberattacks and data breaches are emerging as the biggest business risk in the UK , according to a new study by Nardello & Co. While business leaders say they are increasingly concerned about digital threats, most admit they do not feel adequately prepared to deal with them.

The global research firm surveyed 250 senior executives from businesses with an annual turnover of over £250 million, aiming to capture their perception of the key risks that will define the business environment in 2026.

Lack of confidence in companies' own defenses

According to the results, 58% of respondents ranked cyber breaches as the most significant risk, while almost three-quarters expressed serious doubts about their organizations’ ability to manage them effectively. These fears are not theoretical: one in five said their business had already suffered a cyberattack in the past two years.

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This experience seems to be shaping a more realistic, yet anxious, approach to cybersecurity, at a time when cyberattacks are becoming more targeted and technically advanced.

Compliance and financial crime in the spotlight

Beyond cybersecurity, regulatory compliance (37%) and financial crime (30%) are significant concerns. The increased pressure is partly attributed to stricter enforcement of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which also directly affects international businesses with a presence in the UK.

As Paul Nash, head of financial research and forensic accounting at Nardello & Co, points out, law enforcement outside the US is intensifying significantly, creating a more demanding and dangerous legal environment for multinationals.

A stricter global enforcement framework

This trend is also reinforced by recent international initiatives. In March 2025, the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the French Parquet National Financier and the Swiss Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the creation of a joint working group to combat corruption.

Meanwhile, the UK’s “Failure to Prevent Fraud” offence came into force in September 2025, giving the SFO new legal powers. According to Nash, this evolving environment requires constant vigilance and holistic risk management, from fraud and bribery to money laundering.

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Cyber ​​resilience as a legal obligation

Compliance requirements are set to intensify even further as the Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill is set to become law later this year. As Joseph Pochron , head of digital research and cyber risk at Nardello & Co, explains, businesses will be required to adopt cybersecurity strategies based on real risk rather than formal compliance procedures.

Cyberattacks: Reputation in the crosshairs

Another key finding of the survey concerns organizational reputation . 25% of executives cited reputational damage as one of their top three concerns for 2026. Specifically, 42% fear the impact of a data breach, 28% the spread of misinformation online, and 24% negative media coverage.

Are British businesses adequately prepared?

Despite the growing sense of risk, the survey reveals worrying gaps in preparedness. Just 44% of companies conduct pre-employment checks, 48% have an anonymous whistleblowing system and fewer than six in ten provide regular compliance.

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As Chris Morgan Jones, regional CEO of Nardello & Co for EMEA, warns, this complacency could prove to be an existential risk for many businesses. Preparation and proper planning remain the most powerful weapons against a crisis that is no longer a question of “if”, but “when”.