The UK-based company has revealed its list of the top five risks for businesses next year in its annual Risk Outlook report. It also called on organisations to “address their operational risks” to mitigate any potential dangers for travellers or employees who are deployed overseas.
Other major risks identified by Healix include an increased number of cyber attacks, with 15 million data breaches reported in the third quarter of 2022 alone, and the “diversification” of global extremism threats.
Chris Job, director of risk management services at Healix, said: “Business leaders will be well aware of the various disasters and emergencies playing out on the global stage, yet some are inadequately equipped to mitigate the risks they pose to business assets and personnel.
“Having a sense of the main risks faced by their company cannot alleviate the threat itself, but it can provide business leaders with the ability to proactively implement the necessary measures to enhance their current security procedures.
“Security and risk managers should continuously re-evaluate these threats and regularly conduct thorough risk assessments to determine where their key vulnerabilities lie.”
For example, Healix points out that many “previously benign areas are now mired in political and social unrest”, which means companies may have to enhance existing safety measures when sending staff abroad.
“Businesses should be vigilant about staff travel, ensuring the appropriate level of risk mitigation is in place, including things like mobile tracking, and that staff have an evacuation route if necessary,” added the company.
Healix also expects “major security and operational disruption” driven by climate risks to rise in 2023, with previously “once-in-a-century extreme climate now a yearly occurrence”. This year’s disasters have included huge floods in Pakistan, hurricanes in the Caribbean and Florida, and Australia’s lengthening wildfire season.
“All of this has drastic implications for both travelling staff and operational activity across the world, necessitating businesses to put measures in place to mitigate them, especially in regional hotspots,” added the security firm.
Another increased risk comes from employees connecting more personal devices to their company’s networks as hybrid working practices continue following the pandemic.
“Each employee’s home devices present an easy avenue through which attackers can breach the company’s systems and access highly-sensitive data,” advised Healix.
“Companies will therefore be tasked with firming up their cyber security measures as well as cultivating employee awareness and vigilance.”
By Rob Gill
