Risk Professionals Face Rising Pressure Amid Flat Budgets
A new survey finds that economic instability and cybersecurity threats are the primary business risks for organizations.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Risk professionals report higher levels of role pressure as businesses navigate a challenging environment driven by economic concerns and cyber threats. While demands are increasing, most organizations have kept their risk management technology budgets stagnant.
Why it matters
The heightened pressure reflects a landscape where tariff shocks, inflation, and a cooling labor market force teams to manage complex risks without expanded resources. Organizations are attempting to adapt by integrating risk assessments directly into broader business strategy and leadership visibility.
A global survey of 250 risk professionals reveals that 75% are experiencing increased role pressure, while 66% report their technology budgets remained flat. Only 25% of respondents saw an increase in their risk management technology funding over the last six months.
The details
Nearly half of all departments have bypassed their risk teams to make decisions, prompting organizations to link risk metrics more closely to business priorities. Additionally, 74% of surveyed firms either use or plan to implement artificial intelligence to assist in managing these diverse risk factors.
Timeline
2024: 62% of respondents planned to use artificial intelligence for risk management.
2025: 70% of respondents planned to use artificial intelligence for risk management.
2026: A survey of 250 risk and resilience professionals was conducted.
Macro View
The study suggests that the organizational elevation of the chief risk officer position is stalling as 92% of firms without the role currently have no plans to hire one. This marks a departure from historical trends that favored centralizing risk leadership in a single dedicated executive.
The lack of increased investment in risk management technology may lead to slower corporate responses during economic downturns. Employees across various sectors should expect more rigorous, automated risk-based decision-making processes as firms adopt AI to bridge their resource gaps.
The takeaway
Businesses are currently prioritizing a holistic view of risk over creating specialized executive roles to manage it. Professionals in the field should focus on aligning their departmental strategies with wider business priorities to demonstrate value despite limited technology budgets.
Further reading
For more information on current global trends, visit the Economic Indicators section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Risk & Insurance.
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