General Insurance Article - EMEA businesses to strengthen AI era cyber resilience

Polling during the webinar ‘Unlocking Innovation at Speed – What’s Next in AI, Cybersecurity & Risk Innovation’ asked 75 organisations from across EMEA, how they are adapting to the rapid rise of AI. The findings show a growing disconnect between the speed of AI adoption and the maturity of the risk frameworks needed to manage this adoption effectively.

 

 

The results highlighted that while organisations are rapidly adopting generative and automated AI tools to drive efficiency, their risk management and governance functions are still playing catch-up with increased exposure to expanded technology. This could allow for further disruption caused by sophisticated cyber criminals. Many businesses are not yet incorporating AI-specific exposures into their broader cyber-risk and enterprise-risk assessments, which directly contributes to low confidence levels in responding to AI-related incidents.

 

Brent Rieth, global cyber leader for Aon, said: “Our poll indicated that although organisations across EMEA recognise the importance of AI and cybersecurity, many remain in the early stages of readiness when tackling its implications – and this gap could become hazardous to businesses. They need to strengthen AI-specific threat modelling, integrate emerging exposures into formal risk discussions and upskill teams to enhance detection and response. Their risk strategies need to continue to evolve as technology accelerates.”

 

David Molony, head of cyber solutions EMEA for Aon, said: “We know that AI is transforming operations and unlocking new efficiencies, but it’s also advancing the sophistication of cyber criminals. Businesses must act quickly to embed AI technology-specific controls and modelling or risk leaving critical technology assets vulnerable and exposed. Organisations that proactively strengthen AI risk management capabilities will be better positioned to protect their people, operations and reputation.”