Cyber Threats Remain a Top Business Concern in Travelers Risk Index
Percentage of companies that have experienced a cyberattack climbs for ninth time in 10 years
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) today released the results of its 2025 Travelers Risk Index, with survey participants from large- and medium-sized companies ranking cyber threats as the top overall business concern. The survey also indicated that, compared with last year, a much smaller percentage of respondents believe that the current business environment is becoming more risky.
"These findings provide a compelling snapshot of how people and companies view cyber threats and what they're doing, if anything, to avoid becoming the next victim of a cyberattack," said John Menefee, Vice President and Enterprise Cyber Lead at Travelers. "Being aware of the risks and implementing a cybersecurity program that addresses areas of potential exposure can separate businesses that thrive from those derailed by devastating breaches."
The annual Travelers Risk Index surveys more than 1,200 business decision-makers across the country on a variety of cyber-related topics, including whether their company has suffered an attack, what steps they have taken to mitigate any cyber vulnerabilities, and if that includes purchasing a cyber insurance policy. Representatives from businesses of all sizes and from a range of sectors participated.
Top Concerns
Despite survey respondents from large- and medium-sized companies ranking cyber as the top business concern, it ranked third for businesses of all sizes, with 56% saying they worry some or a great deal. Broad economic uncertainty, which was second behind cyber on the list of business concerns in the survey a year ago, has regained the top spot. The top five overall concerns were:
- Broad economic uncertainty (58%)
- Medical cost inflation (58%)
- Cyber risks (56%)
- The impact of the global economy on a company (53%)
- Supply chain risks (51%)
In addition, a security breach or someone hacking into a computer system was the top cyber-related business concern.
Declining Concerns
When asked about the level of risk their company currently faces, only 40% of respondents said they believe the business environment is becoming more risky. Last year, it was 51%. That applied to cyber threats, too, with the 56% saying they worry some or a great deal down from 62% in 2024 and marking the lowest percentage since 2020. The percentage of survey participants from large companies who thought a cyberattack against their company was inevitable was also down, at 62% compared with 70% in 2024.
In addition, more than 20% said their company had not taken simple protective steps, such as:
- Using firewall protection (24%).
- Backing up data and infrastructure (24%).
- Requiring password changes (29%).
- Keeping software up to date (29%).
"Companies need to stay vigilant and not take their eye off the ball, because the key to successful cyber mitigation is staying ahead of it," said Lauren Winchester, Vice President of Cyber Risk Services at Travelers. "The worst thing a business can do is to become complacent. Don't stop investing, because the bad actors aren't stopping."
Rising Cyber Incidents
For the ninth time in the last 10 years, the percentage of respondents who said their company has suffered a cyber event was higher than the year before. This year, 25% said they had suffered a data breach or cyber event, compared with 24% in 2024.
Click here for additional Risk Index survey results and highlights.
Travelers Institute Cyber Awareness Events
The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of Travelers, will bring its Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore symposium series to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Oct. 20. There will also be a webinar on Oct. 8 featuring Jeff Greene, former cyber leader at the White House and CISA, who will offer tips related to cyber readiness. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information and to register, visit the Travelers Institute Events & Webinars page.
About the Survey
Hart Research conducted a national online survey of 1,202 U.S. business insurance decision-makers June 23-July 6, regarding their top challenges. The survey was commissioned by Travelers.
About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of more than $46 billion in 2024. For more information, visit Travelers.com.
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