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Peoples ranking and perceptions are often just that - perceptions. Whereas it cannot be surprise that cyber and climate top the list, these are - in the survey - unfounded by facts and science.

I am dead certain that to some companies, cyber risks are more important than any other risk they are facing. I am also certain that to many companies cyber risks are secondary at best. The same goes for climate related risks - important for some, "irrelevant" for others.

Perceptions are biased and flawed as demonstrated by Nobel laureates Kahneman and Tversky, and later Taylor. Look at terrorism as an example. Many Americans are very worried about terrorism, yet only very few know of anyone who have actually been "hit" in a terrorist attack. Few people actually worry about traffic safety, yet most Americans have, or know of some who have been hit, even severely, in a traffic accident (US statistics indicate the number of traffic fatalities are the level of the 9/11 fatalities ... monthly). And Americans are not alone - we are all biased.

Facts are needed - and need in in a valid context. When analysing a risk in/for your company you have to look at what impact it may have on your business in its pursuit of targets and aspirations - not what is generally perceived as a risk.