Cyber Breaches, Compliance and Reputation Top UK Corporate Concerns

A Nardello & Co survey of 250 UK business leaders finds cyber breaches are the top perceived risk for 2026, with many doubting their readiness, alongside growing compliance and financial crime pressures amid stronger global enforcement (e.g., the SFO’s Failure to Prevent Fraud offense and a tri-national taskforce). The report notes the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will drive risk-based cybersecurity strategies, yet many firms lack fundamentals—only 44% conduct pre-hire screening, 48% have anonymous whistleblowing, and 59% provide regular compliance training—contributing to reputational concerns and operational risk exposure across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.