< Back to the full 2026 report on Top Risks The COO’s firefighting mandate: Extinguishing costs while igniting growth 5 min read 2026 Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and OpportunitiesCOOs face a sharp dual challenge: keeping the organisation efficient while finding new avenues for growth amid volatility, supply-chain vulnerability, and accelerating technology change. Protiviti’s global Executive Perspectives on Top Risks and Opportunities Survey, reflecting input from 1,540 global, cross-industry board members and C-suite executives, highlights where operational leaders see the strongest opportunities in AI, partnerships and revenue diversification, and which risks pose the greatest threat to near-term performance. The findings underscore the urgency of speed, visibility and modernisation across the enterprise. Read the full report to see how your peers are prioritising investments and strengthening the resilience of their operations.Download the 2026 insights for operations teams13-minute readWatch the 2026 webinar60-minutes, on-demand Where operations leaders see the greatest growth opportunities over the next two to three yearsMomentum is building, and COOs are zeroing in on emerging opportunities that could redefine competitive advantage over the next few years. 68 % Revenue potential 61 % Ecosystem development 49 % Geographic expansion Based on a five-point scale assessing agreement/disagreement. Percentages reflect sum of "Agree completely" and "Agree somewhat" responses. Our webinar series Discover how leading executives are turning today’s top risks—AI, cybersecurity, and talent—into tomorrow’s growth. Join us for actionable insights to help your organisation outpace uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Register now Explore featured solutions Supply Chain Optimisation & Resilience We help operations leaders address emerging trends and existing challenges through solutions that position your organisation for improved performance and resiliency. Pro Digital Hightech Artificial Intelligence (AI) We help organisations reach the possible with AI that’s innovative, controlled, and accountable focusing on delivering business outcomes, supporting you through change, and building trust through responsible, expert-led implementation. Pro cloud Cybersecurity We help leaders align cyber initiatives with core business objectives to drive growth, build trust, and ensure resilience focusing on protecting your revenue, reputation and customer trust. Technology We help organisations modernise with purpose to maximise ROI and drive enterprise impact, transforming technology with speed, accuracy & focused-outcomes. Get more Top Risks insights Discover our full catalog of insight briefs for additional research findings and expert commentary related to the 2026 report on Top Risks. Insights by industry Insights by organisational role Insights by industry Aerospace & Defense Energy & Utilities Financial Services Healthcare Manufacturing & Distribution Private Equity Technology, Media & Telecommunications Insights by organisational role Finance Teams Information Security Teams Internal Audit Teams Technology & Data Teams FAQs + EXPAND ALL How can I identify where AI will deliver the strongest operational lift in the next 24–36 months? + COOs see AI as a top growth enabler, especially for expanding organisational capability without inflating costs. AI-related investment priorities are focused on managing data and cybersecurity risks (27%), equipping the workforce to realise value (25%), and embedding AI into offerings (25%). Protiviti helps leaders integrate AI into core operations, modernise supporting systems, and prepare teams to adopt AI at scale. What operational areas offer the highest near-term potential for growth? + Surveyed COOs cite revenue potential (68%), ecosystem development (61%), and geographic expansion (49%) as their strongest opportunities over the next two to three years. These priorities increasingly rely on supply-chain transparency, AI-enabled decision-making, and faster execution. Protiviti supports organisations in building the visibility, data foundations, and operational readiness needed to unlock these growth levers. Which risks should COOs be preparing for most urgently? + The top five near-term risks are cyber threats (#1), third-party risks (#2), and legacy operations and IT unable to meet performance expectations (#3). Operational leaders are also concerned about emerging AI risks and shifting global trade policies. Protiviti helps organisations strengthen cyber resilience, manage supplier exposure, and modernise core systems that currently constrain operational performance. How are COOs prioritising investments across technology, data, and operational infrastructure? + COOs plan to invest most heavily in data privacy (42%), cybersecurity (39%), and infrastructure modernisation (34%) over the next three years. Additional priorities include improving supply-chain visibility, advanced scenario planning, strategic sourcing, and automation. Protiviti helps leaders advance these programs across operations, technology, data, and risk to build long-term resilience. How can I reduce exposure to third-party and supply-chain disruptions? + COOs rank third-party risks as the #2 near-term risk, driven by tariff pressures, supplier credit and solvency concerns, and limited visibility into third- and nth-party relationships. These conditions increase the likelihood of supply disruption and make it harder to anticipate vulnerabilities across global networks. Protiviti helps organisations strengthen supplier transparency, mitigate third-party risks and build more resilient supply-chain structures. Subscribe to our thought leadership Get exclusive access to more content and insights to help you stay ahead. Sign up ✕ Scroll to top Introduction Webinar series Featured solutions More Top Risks insights FAQs
