Amidst an ongoing backdrop of permacrisis, the most significant risks for organisations relate to conflict, geopolitical tensions, mental health and social or political unrest. This is amongst the findings of the International SOS 2025 Risk Outlook report.

Some 75% of the risk professionals surveyed see social and political unrest as a top risk. Indeed, some of the most significant risks are those for which respondents said they were least prepared.

The increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape is taking a profound toll on mental health, according to the report, with 65% of participants predicting that political stress and anxiety will have a significant impact on their business and/or people in 2025.

Sally Llewellyn, global security director at International SOS, commented: "The interconnected nature of today’s risks are creating an environment where issues escalate quickly and unpredictably. Geopolitical tensions are triggering supply chain disruptions and cyber threats, while misinformation and disinformation amplify confusion, eroding trust within organisations and across borders.

“These complexities demand a shift from reactive to predictive strategies, leveraging intelligence-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration. While the challenges are significant, organisations that take a systematic approach to understanding and mitigating these layered risks can not only protect their people and operations but also strengthen their resilience in an era of uncertainty."

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