UK boards risk damaging consumer trust due to inadequate cyber-preparedness

UK business leaders exhibit high confidence in their cyber readiness, with 94% assuring their organisation can detect and respond to a data breach. However, new data from challenger consultancy Elixirr highlights a stark disconnect between this boardroom confidence and mounting public concern over data protection following high-profile incidents.

Although cybersecurity and data protection emerged as leading trust challenges for business leaders, many organisations are underestimating the risk of failing to communicate clearly. The article indicates that sector-specific blind spots intensify the issue. Only 43% of science and technology leaders flag cybersecurity as an urgent trust challenge, while 86% of hospitality leaders do not view it as a key trust issue, despite the sector's reliance on guest data.

In addition, just 45% of organisations have prioritised CEO or C-suite-led transparency during disruption, the period when speed and credibility are most critical. Furthermore, 68% lack real-time resilience dashboards for executives, and only 37% prioritise two-way communication channels for customers. The article concludes that business leaders must close this trust gap by making transparent communication a core part of their cyber playbook to protect both brand reputation and performance.