WEF report urges shift from cybersecurity to cyber resilience amid rising global risks
A new report from the World Economic Forum highlights the need for coordinated global approaches as cyber threats become more complex and interconnected.
A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) calls for a shift in how governments and organisations approach digital security, arguing that traditional cybersecurity measures are no longer sufficient to address current risks.
The report points to the growing dependence on digital infrastructure, with most of the global population now connected online. Systems supporting sectors such as healthcare, finance, and public services are increasingly interconnected, which improves efficiency but also creates shared vulnerabilities.
According to the analysis, cyber incidents are no longer isolated. A breach in one system can affect others across sectors and borders, leading to wider disruptions. This is compounded by the rise of state-linked cyber operations and organised cybercrime.
The report identifies fragmentation as a key challenge. Differences in national regulations, technical capacity, and policy priorities can make coordinated responses more difficult, allowing vulnerabilities to persist.
It also highlights the role of emerging technologies. Tools such as artificial intelligence can both strengthen defensive capabilities and enable more advanced forms of attack, increasing the complexity of the threat environment.
Rather than focusing only on prevention, the report promotes a broader concept of ‘cyber resilience’. This includes the ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from incidents, alongside stronger cooperation between governments, industry, and civil society.
The findings suggest a shift in emphasis, from securing individual systems to managing risks across interconnected digital ecosystems.
