In an interview with Forbes, Bartosz Pastuszka, CEO and Managing Partner of NaviRisk, discusses the real threats facing modern business – from war and organized crime to blackmail, data leaks, and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

War as a New Risk Lens

On the first day of the war in Ukraine, NaviRisk began evacuating foreign company personnel from the conflict zone. These experiences showed that the main threats often come not just from military action, but from opportunistic crime and chaos, including extortion and looting.

Pastuszka emphasizes that business security relies on rapid risk assessment, operational readiness, and established procedures.

The Human Factor Remains the Weakest Link

According to Pastuszka, the greatest risk to companies is not external criminals but people within the organization.

Leaks, sabotage, or competitive insider activity often stem from:

• underestimating personnel risk,
• lack of access control,
• internal conflicts,
• unverified employees or managers.

Even minor staff, such as interns, can unintentionally or deliberately trigger multi-million-euro losses. This highlights that technology alone cannot replace effective human risk management.

Subtle but Effective Blackmail

Modern blackmail rarely involves dramatic threats. More often, it is psychological pressure – indirect threats, attempts to compromise family members, or using sensitive information.

NaviRisk helps clients by:

• assessing real threat levels,
• analyzing the intentions of potential blackmailers,
• implementing preventive measures, including personal protection,
• de-escalating conflicts discreetly.

Discretion and pragmatism often prove more effective than legal or media escalation.

Cyber Threats: From €100,000 Fraud to Water Supply Attacks

Cybercrime has evolved from simple phishing to highly targeted, sophisticated attacks.

Cybercriminals:

• study organizational structures,
• identify decision-makers,
• intercept correspondence,
• manipulate payments,
• exploit compromising material for extortion.

Losses can reach hundreds of thousands of euros, and recovery is often impossible.

Even more concerning are threats to critical infrastructure. According to Pastuszka, future terrorism may not involve explosions but subtle manipulation of industrial or water systems, with potentially severe long-term consequences for public health.

Economic Crime and International Networks

NaviRisk also investigates:

• smuggling and counterfeits (e.g., medicines, pesticides),
• illegal corporate takeovers,
• offshore asset concealment,
• international patent disputes,
• corporate infiltration by organized crime.

Resolving such cases often requires international operational coordination and a combination of analytical, legal, and field expertise.

Crisis Management vs. Prevention

A key takeaway from the interview is the critique of reactive approaches. In Poland, both public and private sectors often manage through crisis rather than prevention.

Effective preventive measures include:

• due diligence,
• security audits,
• personnel vetting,
• organizational resilience testing,
• early-warning systems.

These are far more cost-effective than dealing with reputational damage, data loss, or hostile takeovers.

The full interview with Bartosz Pastuszka is available on Forbes:
https://www.forbes.pl/biznes/niebezpieczenstwa-dla-prowadzenia-biznesu-porwania-oszustwa-szantaze/4vjcqrj

Photo: Piotr Waniorek / Forbes