IT News: What You Need to Know About Cyber Insurance

First: Start With Up-to-Date Security Measures

Before you can even think about cyber insurance, you need to have robust security measures in place. Just like homeowners insurance won’t cover your home if it has major fire or safety hazards, cyber insurers expect you to mitigate vulnerabilities. This mitigation includes essentials like firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and data encryption. Educating employees about cybersecurity best practices is also crucial because often, employee negligence is the biggest threat to your IT infrastructure.

To keep your company safe and protected, plan to take a multifaceted approach that includes insurance, strong security measures and educating employees on best practices via cybersecurity awareness training.

How Cyber Insurance Functions

The beauty of cyber insurance is its ability to shift the financial risk of a data breach or cyberattack from your shoulders to those of the insurer. If your business falls prey to a cyberattack, it’s the insurance company that foots the bill, not you.

Cyber insurance is a relatively new concept in the insurance industry. In our increasingly tech-oriented world, where cyber threats evolve with each passing year, it has become a necessity for businesses and individuals alike.

Tailored Coverage for Diverse Needs

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cyber insurance. Different businesses require different types of coverage. Common options include first-party coverage (protecting your data and assets), third-party coverage (safeguarding against liability if you’re sued by someone else), and credit monitoring and restoration services.

An insurance broker can help you craft a policy tailored to your specific needs. Still, you should do your research and read the fine print to understand what is and isn’t covered.

Be aware that cyber insurance policies have two primary coverage limits: per incident and aggregate. The per-incident limit is the maximum payout for a single event, while the aggregate limit is the maximum for all events during the policy period. Both these limits significantly impact your policy’s protection.

Be Insurance Savvy

Ensure you purchase cyber insurance from a reputable and trustworthy insurer. Research and read reviews to avoid subpar policies that won’t provide the protection you need.

Remember, as your business evolves, so do your risks. Regularly review your cyber insurance policy to ensure it adapts to your changing needs and industry compliance requirements.

If you do have to file a claim, be patient. Processing claims on cyber insurance policies can take time due to the complexity of cyberattacks. Investigations are often necessary to assess the situation thoroughly.

Variable Costs of Cyber Insurance

The cost of cyber insurance varies depending on your business’s size and the extent of coverage. Policies can start at around $500 per year for small businesses, rising to tens of thousands of dollars for larger companies.

While cyber insurance might seem expensive, the average cost of a data breach is far higher. Cybercriminals are continuously becoming more sophisticated, and the number of opportunities to access your data keeps growing.

Another thing to consider: The cost of cyber insurance can vary based on the country in which you operate, because different countries have varying susceptibility to cybercrime.

Here’s some good IT news: Some insurers offer discounts for businesses that take proactive steps to enhance their cybersecurity. Implementing data encryption, educating employees on best practices and investing in intrusion detection and prevention systems are among the measures that can lead to cost savings.

What’s Covered

Look for business interruption coverage in your cyber insurance policy. It helps reimburse you for lost revenue and expenses in case your business is forced to shut down due to a cyber incident.

Ensure your policy covers notification and credit monitoring expenses. You might be legally required to notify customers if their data is stolen in a breach, and these expenses can add up quickly. Look for coverage that includes protection against cyber extortion, ransom payments and negotiating with hackers to recover stolen data.

Cyber insurance can also cover litigation, settlements and judgments if your business faces legal action following a cyber incident. Policies can provide access to resources like IT forensic services, legal assistance and PR support to help your business recover from an incident. All of these factors will help you be prepared for the worst-case scenario.

Every Company Is at Risk

Unfortunately, this IT news isn’t good: No business, regardless of its size, is immune to cyberattacks. Protect your business by having a cybersecurity plan in place and investing in cyber insurance.

You might not realize that individuals can purchase cyber insurance to protect themselves. With the rise of identity theft and personal cybercrimes, everyone needs to have some form of protection.

Don’t Make IT News Headlines: Invest In Cyber Insurance Today

Cyber insurance isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s a vital tool to protect against the financial impacts of cyber incidents. Selecting the right cyber insurance policy requires thorough research and understanding. It’s an essential component of modern risk management, safeguarding your business against the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks. If you want to learn more about cyber insurance or the latest in IT news, contact us or book a meeting. We’re ready to help you solve any tech concerns you may have.

OrlanTech

OrlanTech is a managed service provider (MSP) that was founded in 1995 and is now the market leader in delivering technology-as-a-service to small and medium size businesses (SMB) in the central Florida area.