Cyber-attacks top risk for professional firms in 2026

Cyber-attacks are the biggest risk facing professional firms in 2026, according to a survey by insurer Everywhen. The poll found that 65% of respondents ranked cyber-attacks as their main concern.

Cyber threats were well ahead of economic pressures, which came second on 18%. Professional negligence claims followed on 9%, while regulatory changes were cited by 8% of respondents.

The findings suggest a marked shift in priorities among firms in sectors such as legal, financial and consultancy services. These businesses hold large volumes of sensitive client information and rely heavily on digital systems for day-to-day operations, making them more vulnerable to data breaches, ransomware and related disruption.

The gap between cyber risk and other concerns suggests digital security has moved ahead of more established threats in boardroom discussions. Economic uncertainty, compliance demands and negligence claims remain part of the risk landscape, but the survey indicates most respondents no longer see them as the most immediate threat.

Risk shift

The results come as professional firms also contend with rising costs and changing client expectations. Those pressures have created a more challenging operating environment, even before the impact of a cyber incident is considered.

For firms that provide advice or handle confidential material, the effects of an attack can extend beyond the immediate technical damage. A breach can lead to business interruption, regulatory scrutiny and claims from affected clients, increasing both direct and indirect costs.

An Everywhen spokesperson said the findings reflect the growing weight of cyber exposure in professional services.

"What this data shows very clearly is that cyber threats represent a fundamental and growing business risk. Professional firms are custodians of highly sensitive client data, and that makes them a prime target.

From an insurance perspective, cyber incidents rarely sit in isolation. They can lead to business interruption, regulatory investigations and even professional indemnity claims if clients are affected. That is why it is critical for firms to understand how their cover responds and where potential gaps may exist.

There is still a tendency to view cyber insurance as optional, but the reality is that it is becoming a core component of a firm's risk management strategy."

Boardroom concern

The survey suggests professional firms increasingly see cyber risk as a business issue rather than a narrow technology problem. A successful attack can affect client service, reputation and regulatory standing at the same time, helping explain why it now outranks more traditional concerns.

Legal practices, accountancy firms, consultants and other advisory businesses often hold commercially sensitive and personal information. That makes them attractive targets for cyber criminals seeking direct financial gain or leverage through extortion.

At the same time, the results indicate that regulatory change and professional negligence, while still significant, are being overshadowed by the speed and frequency of cyber incidents. The ranking also suggests firms may be reassessing how different risks interact, particularly where a cyber event could trigger wider legal or professional consequences.

Insurers have seen demand for cyber-related cover rise as businesses look to manage the financial effects of attacks. The Everywhen findings add to wider evidence that many companies now view digital threats as a central operational and governance issue rather than a peripheral one.

The spread between first and second place in the survey was particularly stark. Cyber-attacks drew more than three times the share of responses recorded for economic pressures, underlining how far concern about digital threats has moved ahead of other business risks.