The text outlines a "manager safety package" for the top risks in 2026 and combines stricter manager liability, cardinal duties, new requirements for early risk detection (
IDW S 16 new), and D&O insurance with current megatrends and crisis situations. Cyberattacks, business interruptions, regulatory changes, and
AI are highlighted as key top risks, with risk-based management intended to help prioritize the "really important things". The article emphasizes that the violation of cardinal duties (in particular the principle of legality and early risk and crisis detection) can trigger significant personal liability consequences and at the same time jeopardize D&O insurance
coverage, because it can lead to allegations of a knowing breach of duty. In addition, a recent line of case law is presented, according to which organizations may be more inclined to seek recourse from executive bodies in the event of fines imposed on associations, which means that without protection, the private assets of executives are particularly exposed. The recommended solution is integrated governance,
compliance, and risk management with quantification/aggregation, legal registers, interaction and process management, and reviewed/optimized insurance
coverage (including D&O and criminal defense insurance) to increase resilience, structure, and legal certainty.