A new report warns disruptions to global software vendors and tech supply chains can hit local organisations
Growing technology interdependence is putting organisations across New Zealand at greater risk of cyber incidents, according to a new report.
Findings from Aon's 2025 Cyber Risk Report revealed that local firms have faced direct and significant impacts from overseas technology failures over the past 18 months.
These failures include software supply chain disruptions and vendor outages.
Duncan Morrison, cyber practice leader in New Zealand for Aon, said the old belief that New Zealand businesses are safer because of their isolation "no longer holds."
"Disruptions to global software vendors and tech supply chains have already hit local organisations hard," Morrison said in a statement.
"As we adopt more advanced tools like AI and real-time data systems, the interconnectivity that powers progress also increases our exposure."
But the changing threat landscape is coinciding with more businesses being more mature in how they approach cyber risk, according to Aon.
More New Zealand firms are reassessing their cyber insurance needs because the risk is now tangible. It also comes as the cyber insurance market sees rates falling by approximately seven per cent in the first quarter.
Cyber incident frequency saw a 134% increase over the past four years, with the increase in social engineering incidents year-over-year reaching 53% growth.
The report attributed the increase to AI-driven deepfake attacks, stating that AI is a "driving force" of cyber risk.
"Nation-state-backed threat actors are increasingly using cyber campaigns for asymmetrical conflict, economic coercion, or corporate espionage. Businesses need the tools to make better, data-driven cyber decisions," said Adam Peckman, head of risk consulting and cyber solutions, APAC, and global head of cyber risk consulting at Aon.
