Study finds digital leaders 27% more vulnerable to cyberattacks

A study published this week in the British Journal of Management finds that companies that lead in digitalisation are also the most likely to suffer a successful cyberattack. The research was conducted by Jukka Sihvonen, a professor of accounting at the University of Vaasa in Finland, and it compares the cyber‑risk profiles of firms across a range of industries. Sihvonen’s analysis shows a clear link between the depth of a firm’s digital integration and its exposure to hacking, data breaches and ransomware.

Digitalisation has been marketed as a way to boost efficiency, cut costs and improve productivity. Over the past decade, firms have invested heavily in cloud services, automation and data analytics. The push accelerated after the pandemic, when remote work forced many companies to adopt new technologies quickly. At the same time, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, targeting the very systems that enable digital operations. Sihvonen’s work adds weight to concerns that the very tools meant to give businesses a competitive edge may also open new doors for attackers. The study draws on data from more than 1,000 firms in Europe and North America, tracking their digital adoption scores against recorded cyber incidents over a five‑year period.

The findings show that firms in the top quartile of digitalisation experienced cyber incidents at a rate 27 percent higher than those in the lowest quartile. The most common attacks involved ransomware and credential theft, often exploiting vulnerabilities in cloud‑based platforms. Executives surveyed after the study expressed alarm, noting that many had assumed digital upgrades would reduce, not increase, security threats. Industry groups are urging regulators to tighten standards for digital security and to require regular risk assessments. Sihvonen recommends that companies pair every new technology rollout with a robust cybersecurity strategy, including employee training and continuous monitoring. As digital tools become indispensable, the study suggests that resilience against cyber threats will be a key measure of future business success.