As companies prepare for 2026, the main question is whether leadership teams have the right controls, skills and evidence in place to manage them.
Cyber weakness can affect operations, regulation, customer trust and cost control. A company may understand the threat, but that is not enough. The real test is whether it can prove that cyber risk is being managed in a structured, measurable and business-focused way.
One of the biggest concerns is third-party risk. Many organisations rely on suppliers, platforms, service providers and technology partners that sit outside their direct control. If those partners are poorly assessed or monitored, they can create serious exposure. Basic questionnaires and light-touch reviews are no longer enough. Boards need to know which suppliers are critical, what risks they carry, and whether the company has the internal capability to challenge and manage those risks properly.
Businesses with manufacturing sites, infrastructure, logistics networks or connected physical systems can face disruption if cyber risks are not properly managed. This is a resilience issue. Companies need people who understand both cyber security and operational environments, because a weakness in this area can quickly affect service delivery, production or safety.
Phishing, impersonation and social engineering continue to be common routes into organisations. AI is making these attacks more convincing and harder to spot. Annual training is not enough. Companies need ongoing awareness, stronger identity controls and clear reporting processes so that staff can act quickly when something looks wrong.
Boards are under pressure to show that controls are in place, evidence is reliable and reporting is clear. Weak governance can create delays, extra costs and poor decision-making.
Gattaca plc (LON:GATC) is a specialist recruitment and workforce solutions company headquartered in Fareham, UK. It provides contract and permanent staffing solutions, engineering consultancy, and statement of work (SOW) services. Brands include Matchtech, Gattaca Projects and InfoSec People.
