Risks Emerging

Welcome to the second annual "Most Dangerous Emerging Risks" issue of Risk & Insurance® Magazine. Launched in last year's May RIMS issue, which debuted at the RIMS conference in Vancouver, our list of emerging risks was a big hit.

We are publishing our emerging risks editorial package in our April issue to again coincide with the RIMS conference, which this year takes place April 14-19 in Philadelphia.

Among the risks highlighted in this year's edition are risks posed by the use of social media for punitive purposes against business and brand reputation, and the massive impact an agro-terrorism attack could have on the food supply chain in the U.S.

A World of Opportunity (05/01/13)
Most Dangerous Emerging Risks 2013 (04/12/13)
Mapping Political Risk (05/01/13)
Bird Flu's Ugly Return (04/15/13)
A Menacing Vagueness (04/12/13)

These risks represent exposures that are on the minds of just some underwriters, yet pose a widespread challenge to the industry. There is little data or loss history for these risks, and they are not on the radar of the average insurance buyer.

Two of our top emerging risks from last year made their share of headlines within the past six months.

On Jan. 23, 2012, the largest solar storm in eight years pummeled Earth. The storm, known as a "coronal mass ejection," triggered brilliant auroras and reports of sporadic radio-communication blackouts in high latitudes. Some polar flights had to be rerouted.

Cyber leaks, documented last year as well, have proved to be one of the most pressing risk management concerns facing businesses in 2011 and heading into 2012.

Our thanks, once again to insurance carriers, brokers and vendors who participated in contributing to this issue.

Cyril Tuohy, managing editor.

April 13, 2012

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