Cyber risk ranks as the greatest threat to the global financial markets in 2022, with the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions rounding out the top three threats overall, according to a new survey published by The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC).
24% of respondents cited cyber risk as the top overall threat to the industry, with over half (59%) citing it as a top five risk. Respondents highlighted the increased sophistication of attacks as well as the industry’s growing digital footprint as key drivers of this continued area of risk.
While the number of respondents who identified the COVID-19 pandemic as a top five concern dropped 15 percentage points over last year’s survey, it still ranked second among the top five risks to the industry at 52%. Many respondents indicated they believe the pandemic will continue to impact the industry, disrupting supply chains and driving market volatility. Some respondents also expressed concerns over maintaining effective cybersecurity practices in a remote work environment.
Nearly half of the survey respondents (49%) identified geopolitical risks and trade tensions as a significant risk, with many citing concerns over the potential for growing state-sponsored cyber attacks.
“The survey shows that cyber risk is pervasive; it’s striking to see its impact extend across multiple top threat areas,” said Michael Leibrock, chief systemic risk officer at DTCC, in a statement. “When describing the pandemic, risk managers stated that it left the industry more vulnerable to cyber crime. As a result of this and other drivers, it is critically important that firms continue to bolster their response plans, practice simulations, and frequently review their cybersecurity and risk management practices to assess whether they’re staying on top of this evolving threat.”
Two risks saw significant increases in this year’s survey: climate change and inflation. 38% of respondents saw climate change as a top five risk, up from 20% last year, while inflation was identified by 34% of respondents, up from just 7% last year. Respondents said that climate change posed increased “physical risks” that can take their toll through higher costs, business disruption, and loss of lives. Some respondents expressed concern that we could be at a “tipping point” with climate change – and that it remains to be seen whether global economies will address it proactively or reactively.
When surveyed on inflation, 77% of respondents said they expect inflation to be equal to or higher than current levels a year from now, with some citing the belief that inflation does not appear to be transitory, and that it may slow down the economy as it weighs on purchasing power. In addition, 63% of respondents said they’re concerned that interest rates will be kept low for too long, creating continued inflationary pressure and/or asset bubbles
“The risk landscape is constantly evolving yet deeply interconnected, which can make it difficult to predict what’s around the bend and where risk management priorities should lie,” said Adrien Vanderlinden, DTCC Systemic Risk executive, in a statement. “Risk managers should place continued focus on implementing tools that can help identify and evaluate risk, as well as develop plans to mitigate those risks.”