Governments and non-commercial organizations are facing a problem—the global risks of cyberattacks, reputation damage, and a lack of skilled workers are increasing dramatically. Meanwhile, these institutions must operate with limited budgets and strict regulatory oversight. We will present the latest strategies and technological solutions that enable more effective global risk management.
Digital transformation of the public sector is not coming gradually—it has stormed in like a hurricane, leaving security gaps behind. Cyber attackers are increasingly targeting state institutions—it’s time to overcome the traditional reactive approach and implement proactive strategies to protect critical infrastructure. Let’s take a look at the main threats and their solutions.
Cyber Apocalypse—When an Attack is a Matter of Time, Not Possibility
Cyberattacks have claimed the top spot in the ranking of current and future global risks for the public sector. This is not surprising—governments and non-commercial organizations store vast amounts of sensitive data about citizens, employees, and partners. In a recent Global Risk Management Survey, 31% of public sector respondents reported suffering financial losses due to a cyber incident in the past 12 months.
The Gap Between Awareness and Preparedness
What is alarming—despite the high awareness of this threat, only 14% of government organizations have quantified their cyber exposure. This discrepancy between perceived risk and actual preparedness creates a vulnerable space that attackers quickly exploit.
With the increasing digitalization of services and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies, the so-called “attack surface”is also expanding—the area of potential vulnerabilities. Every new application, every connected system, and every device represents another potential entry point for attackers.
A Holistic Approach as a Necessity
To effectively mitigate this risk, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach to cybersecurity. This includes:
- systematic risk identification and assessment,
- regular security audits,
- implementation of multi-layered protection,
- and cybersecurity training for all employees.
Modern global cyber risk management also requires continuous threat monitoring and automated anomaly detection systems that can identify potential breaches before they cause critical damage.
Top 10 Risks for Government and Non-commercial Organizations
| Current Risks | Future Risks |
| 1. Cyberattack or data breach | 1. Cyberattack or data breach |
| 2. Brand or reputation damage | 2. Cyberattack or data breach |
| 3. Inability to attract or retain top talent | 3. Economic slowdown or slow recovery |
| 4. Regulatory or legislative changes | 4. Regulatory or legislative changes |
| 5. Economic slowdown or slow recovery | 5. Cash flow or liquidity risk |
| 6. Cash flow or liquidity risk | 6. Brand or reputation damage |
| 7. Property damage | 7. Availability of capital |
| 8. Business interruption | 8. Inability to innovate or meet customer needs |
| 9. Political risk | 9. Workforce shortage |
| 10. Inability to innovate or meet customer needs | 10. Artificial intelligence (AI) |
Readiness statistics
- 31% of public sector organizations have suffered a loss due to risks in the top 10.
- 49% of organizations have response plans for these risks.
- Only 14% of organizations have quantified their cyber exposure.
The Battle for Talent: When the Public Sector is Losing the War for Brains
The shortage of skilled workers is the second most significant future global risk for government and non-commercial entities. The talent gap in these organizations is significantly wider than in the
Alarming real-world examples
Staff shortages have reached critical levels across regions:
- In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service and social care sector are missing over 250,000 workers.
- S. federal agencies face a 20–30% vacancy rate for cybersecurity positions.
- European governments report an average 18% vacancy rate in IT security roles.
- Australia’s public services are experiencing a 40% employee turnover rate in technical fields.
These staff shortages lead to the overburdening of existing employees, which further increases their turnover rate. Birmingham City Council in the UK even issued a bankruptcy-equivalent statement in 2023 with a budget deficit of £87 million—partly due to the unsuccessful implementation of new revenue streams, which was impacted by the shortage of qualified workers.
Main Factors Contributing to the Talent Shortage
Chronic understaffing puts pressure on the remaining employees, who often leave the public sector in favor of the private sector. The main reasons are:
· Significantly lower pay compared to the private sector.
· Bureaucratic recruitment processes that discourage innovative talent.
· Rigid career structures with limited growth opportunities.
· Damage to the reputation of the public sector due to media-highlighted failures.
· Outdated technological equipment and processes.
· Higher workloads with fewer employees.
Innovative Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Talent
Innovative solutions to this risk require a reassessment of the complete value proposition for employees. While competing with the private sector on salary is challenging, government institutions can—or should—offer alternative benefits:
- Greater work flexibility, including hybrid and remote models.
- Meaningful mission and social impact of the work.
- A more stable work environment with less uncertainty.
- Clear pathways for career growth beyond managerial positions.
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with potential skill expansion.
Artificial Intelligence as a Path to Proactive Risk Management for Government Institutions
Summary: The list of global risks continues to grow, yet traditional reactive approaches are failing. Economic slowdown adds extra pressure on government organizations, which are simultaneously addressing the growing risk of the supply chain with limited visibility beyond direct suppliers.
Artificial intelligence brings a fresh approach to identifying and addressing national security risks. Unlike traditional methods, AI systems can analyze vast amounts of data and enable the early identification of contractual risks before they cause significant damage.
Global risk management today requires the ability to perceive the interconnectedness of various types of threats—from cyberattacks to geopolitical tensions. Only organizations with multilayered global risk management strategies supported by advanced technologies can thrive in this complex environment.
Used Sources:
- https://www.semantic-visions.com/
- https://www.semantic-visions.com/industries/governments-non-commercial-companies-and-agencies/
- https://www.dhs.gov/topics/cybersecurity
- https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/in-full/global-risks-2025-a-world-of-growing-divisions-c943fe3ba0/
