Cyber Insurance: Protecting Your Business in the Digital Age

Posted September 12, 2023

Cyber insurance is becoming increasingly important for businesses and local governments in this age of digital transformation. In fact, cyber insurance premiums surged by 50% in 2022, reaching $7.2 billion, and coverage is becoming harder to obtain. It is now crucial for organizations to understand the role of cyber insurance in risk management. So let’s get up to speed!

Cyber Insurance Basics

Cyber insurance policies protect organizations from financial losses and liabilities resulting from cyberattacks, data breaches, and other cyber-related events. These policies often cover expenses related to incident response, legal fees, and regulatory fines, as well as business interruption and reputational damage.

Common types of cyber attacks that cyber insurance policies cover include:

Ransomware attacks: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Cyber insurance policies can cover the costs associated with ransomware attacks, including ransom payments, data recovery, and business interruption.

Data breaches: A data breach occurs when sensitive information is accessed or stolen by unauthorized parties. Cyber insurance policies can cover the costs associated with data breaches, including notification costs, credit monitoring, and legal fees.

Business interruption: Cyber attacks can cause significant disruptions to business operations, resulting in lost revenue and productivity. Cyber insurance policies can cover the costs associated with business interruption, including lost income and extra expenses incurred to resume normal operations.

Cyber extortion: Cyber extortion occurs when threat actors demand payment in exchange for not carrying out a cyber attack. Cyber insurance policies can cover the costs associated with cyber extortion, including ransom payments and legal fees.

Third-party liability: Cyber attacks can also result in third-party liability, such as lawsuits from customers or partners affected by a data breach. Cyber insurance policies can cover the costs associated with third-party liability, including legal fees and damages awarded.

Of course, the coverage offered by cyber insurance policies can vary widely between providers, so it’s essential to review each policy’s details and understand the exact types of coverage and support provided.

Challenges and Trends in Cyber Insurance

The growing demand for cyber insurance has led to increased premiums and more stringent requirements for coverage. In a recent survey by Marsh, 79% of respondents reported increased rates in the past year, with 67% of those increases being between 50% and 100%. Insurers are now demanding higher levels of cyber resilience from clients before providing coverage, resulting in improved risk profiles and more insurable clients.

Qualifying for Cyber Insurance

To qualify for cyber insurance, organizations must meet certain security requirements, such as implementing strong access controls, conducting regular vulnerability assessments, and having an incident response plan in place. By improving cyber resilience and meeting insurers’ requirements, organizations can reduce their cyber threats and increase their chances of obtaining coverage. For more information on how to qualify for cyber insurance during heightened scrutiny, refer to this article.

Choosing the Right Cyber Insurance Policy

When selecting a cyber insurance policy, consider factors such as the types of coverage offered, policy limits, and exclusions. As the market evolves each year, so too do the types of policies offered and exclusions. The policy written just a year ago may not be available again due to changing market dynamics. Work with insurance brokers and providers to find a policy that best suits your organization’s needs and risk profile. For guidance on choosing the right policy, refer to this Cyber Insurance Buyer’s Guide. Keep in mind that the cyber insurance market is still in the early stages of development, and staying informed and proactive in managing cyber risks is essential for maintaining adequate protection.

Navigating the world of cyber insurance can be challenging, but it is a crucial aspect of risk management in the digital age. By understanding the basics, staying informed about trends and challenges, and taking steps to qualify for coverage, organizations can better protect themselves from the financial and reputational damage caused by cyber threats. For more insights on the intersection of cybersecurity and cyber insurance, contact us to see how you can get covered.

Kyle Vinar

Kyle Vinar is Partner / President of Verus Corporation. He oversees all business operations and coaches Verus teams to continually improve on their solutions from client experience to product development and overall solution implementation. He works with all Verus resources to increase efficiencies and excellence in every aspect of their organizational roles. Kyle believes that people are the last real competitive edge that a company can have and constructing a rich culture is a vital step in running a world-class organization. Therefore he strives to create a culture within Verus that allows everyone to show up authentically and grow both personally and professionally, which in turn allows Verus Corp team members to provide clients with top-of-the-line service. Kyle helps balance strategy, capacity, and culture in such a way that has allowed Verus Corp to achieve exponential growth since he joined the company in 2013. One of Kyle’s greatest professional achievements has been in helping lay the foundation upon which Verus Corporation could be named the 2nd Best Place to Work by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Kyle holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. Cloud State University. He lives in Champlin with his wife and 3 children. He has enjoyed volunteering as a soccer coach for over 6 years and was the former Director of Coaching for Rebels Soccer Club. If Kyle isn’t on the sidelines of one of his children’s soccer games or in the audience of his eldest’s musicals, he can often be found cruising scenic routes on his Harley, in a deer stand, or on the golf course.