Red Hot Cyber
Cybersecurity is about sharing. Recognize the risk, combat it, share your experiences, and encourage others to do better than you.
Search
Fortinet 320x100px
970x20 Itcentric
Let’s find out what cyber insurance is. It insures your online business, but not only that.

Let’s find out what cyber insurance is. It insures your online business, but not only that.

Redazione RHC : 11 November 2025 22:15

The digital world is constantly evolving, and with the growth of online activity, protecting your business from potential cyber threats has become increasingly important. Cyber insurance is a form of insurance that protects your business from financial losses caused by cyber attacks, data breaches, and other technology-related incidents.

In this article, we’ll explore cyber insurance in detail and help you understand how it can help protect your online business.

What are cyber insurance policies?

Cyber insurance is a form of insurance that provides coverage for financial losses that may arise from cyber attacks, data breaches, and other technology-related incidents. This type of insurance is designed to protect companies from the negative consequences of a cyber attack or data breach.

Cyber insurance policies can provide coverage for many different situations, including:

  • Financial losses resulting from a cyber attack or data security breach;
  • Data recovery and restoration costs following a cyber attack or data security breach;
  • Legal costs associated with data security breaches;
  • Business disruptions resulting from a cyber attack or data security breach;

Cyber insurance policies can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business and can provide coverage for many different situations.

For example, if your business collects personal information from customers, cyber insurance can provide coverage for financial losses associated with a data security breach and potential data exfiltration.

How cyber insurance policies work

Cyber insurance policies work similarly to other forms of insurance. After purchasing a policy, a monthly or annual premium is paid to maintain that coverage. In the event of a cyber attack or data breach, your business files a claim with the insurance company.

Once the claim has been filed, the insurance company evaluates the situation and determines whether the claim is covered by the policy. If the claim is covered, the insurance company will pay compensation to cover the financial losses incurred.

In the event of a ransomware attack, if the cyber policy specifically covers the ransom, the insurer may pay the sum requested to the cybercriminal. However, not all cyber policies cover ransom demands, and even if they do, the insurer may require proof that paying the ransom is the only way to restore the data.

Additionally, the insurer may require the company to take all necessary measures to protect its data and IT infrastructure against future attacks, such as implementing additional security measures or updating systems. Otherwise, the insurer may refuse to pay the claim.

It’s important to note that cyber insurance policies don’t cover every eventuality, and there may be limits to coverage and exclusions. It’s therefore important to carefully read the policy details and speak with your insurance agent to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. Furthermore, it’s important to implement a robust cybersecurity program to reduce the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

What is required to take out a cyber insurance policy?

Insurers offering cyber policies generally require their clients to complete a detailed questionnaire about their IT infrastructure and the company’s cybersecurity protocols. This questionnaire helps the insurer assess the risk associated with the company’s coverage and tailor the policy to the company’s specific cybersecurity needs.

Some insurers also require a cybersecurity assessment by an external agency. This assessment may include an assessment of the security of the company’s networks, applications, and data, as well as an assessment of the company’s cybersecurity policy and its preparedness for a data breach.

Additionally, insurers may also require that the company adopt certain cybersecurity standards, such as CIS (Center for Internet Security) controls or NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) controls.

However, not all insurers require these tests before issuing a policy, and the level of cybersecurity assessment varies from insurance company to insurance company. However, companies that adopt cybersecurity best practices are more likely to obtain more comprehensive and affordable cyber policies.

A cyber insurance policy is not a substitute for a cybersecurity program

Cyber insurance provides financial coverage in the event of a data breach or cyber attack, but it does not directly protect the company from cyber threats. A comprehensive cybersecurity program, on the other hand, is designed to prevent cyber attacks, quickly identify and respond to data breaches, and protect the company’s IT infrastructure from potential cyber threats.

A comprehensive cybersecurity program might include:

  • Firewalls and antivirus software to protect company networks and devices from cyber attacks and malware
  • Cybersecurity monitoring tools to identify any suspicious activity on the company’s network
  • Multi-factor authentication tools to protect access to company data
  • Data backup and recovery procedures to ensure that company data is protected and available in the event of a data failure or security breach
  • Staff training to raise employee awareness of cyber risks and cybersecurity best practices.

While a cyber policy is not a substitute for a comprehensive cybersecurity program, it can still be an important component of a company’s cybersecurity strategy.

In short, a cyber insurance policy and a comprehensive cybersecurity program are two different yet complementary tools for protecting a company’s data security. While a cyber insurance policy covers the financial costs associated with a data breach, a comprehensive cybersecurity program is essential for directly protecting the company from cyber threats. Therefore, both are important for protecting a company’s data security and should be considered part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Immagine del sitoRedazione
The editorial team of Red Hot Cyber consists of a group of individuals and anonymous sources who actively collaborate to provide early information and news on cybersecurity and computing in general.

Lista degli articoli