Horizonscan Newsletter – January 2025

Welcome to the Horizonscan Newsletter.

At Horizonscan, we are more than business continuity and resilience consultants—we are your dedicated partners in navigating uncertainty. Our team of experts, with various backgrounds, brings practical experience and innovative strategies to help businesses thrive amid disruption.

As an employee-owned company, we take pride in tailoring our services to meet the unique needs of our clients, fostering sustainable and long-term partnerships. Our mission is simple yet vital: to help organisations anticipate, prepare for and recover from disruptive events while building the resilience necessary to adapt and grow in an unpredictable world.

This January, we bring insights from leading risk reports, current developments and actionable strategies to help you stay ahead in 2025. From addressing cyber threats to preparing for climate impacts, we’ve covered you with practical guidance and free resources.

Key Themes for 2025

  1. Cyber Incidents: A Leading Concern Across Years Cyber incidents remain the top global risk in 2025, continuing their dominance from 2024. Ransomware, IT service disruptions and the growing influence of AI-powered misinformation highlight the evolving cyber threat landscape.
  2. Business Interruption: Shifting Priorities Business interruption remains a consistent second-ranked risk, with new focus areas including geopolitical conflicts and resource constraints. The Horizon Scan 2024 report emphasised financial fraud, but 2025 shifts to managing disruptions driven by international instability.
  3. Climate Change and Natural Catastrophes: Growing Urgency Climate change is a global risk more than ever, with severe weather events and environmental degradation intensifying operational challenges. Reports show an increased risk of surpassing climate tipping points.
  4. Societal and Political Risks: Polarisation Deepens Societal polarisation and misinformation remain top concerns, with AI-driven disinformation amplifying divisions. The WEF cites the impact of misinformation on democratic processes as a critical risk.

2 and 10-year Risk outlooks.

Current Industry Developments

  • California Wildfires Recent wildfires in California underscore the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness. To maintain customer trust, businesses should develop employee wellness initiatives, operational resilience plans and clear communication strategies. Read more on Entrepreneur.
  • Cyberattacks on UK Hospitals A series of cyberattacks targeting hospitals in Merseyside highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. This incident underscores the importance of robust cyber defences, particularly in sectors handling sensitive data. Read more on BBC News.
  • Flood Risk Assessment The UK Environment Agency’s updated flood and coastal erosion risk assessment reveals that 6.3 million properties are at risk. This highlights the importance of proactive flood mitigation strategies for businesses. Read more on Gov. UK.
  • Scenario Planning and Future Risks The Ministry of Defence’s engagement with sci-fi writers to develop dystopian scenarios is a humorous yet insightful reminder of the importance of creative risk management approaches. Read more on The Guardian.

Looking Forward: Building a Resilient 2025

Resilience is a continuous journey. At Horizonscan, we are committed to helping businesses thrive amid uncertainty—partner with us to access tailored support, expert training and practical insight. Together, we can navigate the complexities of 2025 and beyond.

Upcoming Events and Resources:

Thank you for trusting Horizonscan as your resilience partner. Here’s to a proactive and secure 2025!

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