Cohesity research finds financial ripples from cyberattacks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A new Global Cyber Resilience Report by Cohesity has shown that the financial ripple effects of cyberattacks now extend well beyond operational disruption, reshaping boardroom priorities, financial planning, and growth strategy.

In the report, “Risk-Ready or Risk-Exposed: The Cyber Resilience Divide,” nearly three-quarters of organizations (76%) have experienced at least one material cyberattack—defined in the survey as an incident that caused measurable financial, reputational, operational, or customer churn impact.

• 70% of publicly traded companies reported adjusting earnings or financial guidance after an attack.
• 68% said they observed an impact on their stock price.
• 73% of privately held firms redirected budgets from innovation and growth initiatives.
• 92% reported experiencing legal, regulatory, or compliance consequences, including fines, lawsuits, or other enforcement actions.

“These findings show that cyberattacks now touch every part of an organization, testing even the most well-prepared as aftershocks spread beyond technical recovery,” said Sanjay Poonen, chief executive officer and president, Cohesity. “When incidents compel companies to rethink forecasts, absorb market reactions, and redirect budgets, cyber resilience is no longer just a technology issue. It’s a business and financial imperative.”

While only a small number of public companies have formally disclosed changes to earnings guidance following a cybersecurity incident, the high percentages seen in this research indicate that respondents view material cyberattacks as producing broader financial strain and operational consequences than what public filings typically capture.

The research also points to a shift in how enterprises treat cyber risk. While prevention and detection remain priorities, the true differentiator lies in how quickly organizations can recover with confidence and how effectively leaders can reassure markets, regulators, and customers after an incident. Nearly half of surveyed leaders (47%) expressed complete confidence in their resilience strategies, even as costly attacks continue to produce measurable financial fallout.

You can find the full report online here.