What Is Cyber Liability Insurance?

With cyberthreats growing in frequency and sophistication, the need for robust cybersecurity measures and financial safeguards is more critical than ever. Cyber liability insurance provides essential protection for businesses in that regard, covering costs associated with cyber incidents to ensure business continuity and mitigate financial risks.

This blog explores the key aspects of cyber liability insurance, including its significance, coverage and benefits. We will also discuss how to assess your insurance needs and what to consider when selecting a policy. Finally, we will also introduce you to Unitrends Backup Software, an all-in-one backup solution, which will help you meet all the cyber liability insurance requirements.

What is cyber liability insurance?

Cyber liability insurance is designed to protect businesses from the financial repercussions of cyber incidents. It provides coverage for a range of costs associated with data breaches, cyberattacks and other cyber-related events. This insurance is essential for mitigating the financial impact of cyber incidents and ensuring business continuity in the face of such disruptions.

Businesses face an ever-increasing threat landscape today. Cyberattacks, data breaches and other cyber incidents are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, posing significant risks to organizations of all sizes. Amidst this growing cyberthreat environment, cyber liability insurance has emerged as a critical safeguard for businesses.

What does cyber liability insurance cover?

Cyber liability insurance offers a comprehensive safety net for businesses facing cyber-risks. It covers various expenses that arise from cyber incidents, helping organizations manage the fallout effectively. Some of the costs it covers include:

• Data breach response costs: When a data breach occurs, businesses are required to notify affected parties, provide credit monitoring services and manage public relations to mitigate damage to their reputation. Cyber liability insurance covers these costs, ensuring that businesses can respond promptly and efficiently to data breaches without bearing the full financial burden.
• Legal costs: Data breaches and cyber incidents often lead to lawsuits. Legal defense and settlements can be costly, but cyber liability insurance provides coverage for these expenses. This includes attorney fees, court costs and settlement amounts, helping businesses navigate the legal challenges that arise from cyber incidents.
• Regulatory fines and penalties: Non-compliance with data protection laws and regulations can result in hefty fines and penalties from regulatory authorities. Cyber liability insurance covers these financial penalties, ensuring that businesses remain compliant with data protection laws and avoid significant financial setbacks.
• Business interruption losses: Cyber incidents can disrupt business operations, leading to income loss and additional expenses. Cyber liability insurance covers these business interruption losses, helping organizations maintain financial stability and recover more quickly from disruptions caused by cyber incidents.
• Cyber extortion costs: Ransomware attacks and other forms of cyber extortion are increasingly common. Cyber liability insurance covers the costs associated with responding to these attacks, including ransom payments, negotiation expenses and costs related to restoring affected systems and data.
• Data recovery and restoration: Restoring data and systems after a cyber incident can be expensive and time-consuming. Cyber liability insurance covers the expenses related to data recovery and restoration, ensuring that businesses can quickly resume normal operations and minimize downtime.

What does cyber liability insurance not cover?

While cyber insurance policies or coverage provided can vary drastically from one insurer to another, here are some common exclusions that companies should carefully review in their policies:

• Security standard exclusions: Some cyber insurance policies do not cover claims if the insured fails to comply with industry standards or fails to maintain minimum security standards.
• Bodily injury and property damage: Most cyber policies do not include bodily injury or property damage arising from a cyber incident. To ensure such claims are not rejected, organizations should ensure their insurance policies contain the appropriate coverages.
• War, terrorism or invasion: Almost all insurance companies exclude coverage for loss resulting from war, terrorism (cyberterrorism) or invasion.
• Payment Card Industry (PCI) fines: The Payment Card Industry can impose fines and penalties on companies following a credit card breach. Many cyber insurance policies do not cover PCI fines and assessments. Therefore, companies should check their policies to ensure their cyber insurance provides coverage for PCI fines and assessments.

What are the types of cyber insurance?

There are two types of cyber liability insurance, namely first-party insurance and third-party insurance.

First-party insurance

This type of cyber insurance helps cover expenses and damages when systems or networks are breached, or data is stolen. It covers costs that directly impact a business. It also covers expenses when a company’s network is hacked.

First-party insurance may also be referred to as “data breach insurance” and may be added to general liability insurance. This type of cyber insurance is recommended for retailers and other professionals who collect and store credit card or other payment information. It may cover cyber extortion payments, forensic investigation, notifying affected customers, customer credit and fraud monitoring services, crisis management and public relations, business interruption expenses (hiring additional staff, renting equipment, third-party services, etc.).

Third-party insurance

Third-party insurance offers protection when a client sues an organization for failing to prevent a breach at their business. This type of cyber liability insurance helps protect against claims made against a business by injured parties. It provides liability coverage against claims a business failed to prevent, such as a data breach or a cyberattack.

Third-party insurance may cover legal defense costs or settlements an organization is legally obligated to pay after a breach as well as other related court costs. This type of cyber insurance is recommended for technology professionals such as service providers, integrators and consultants. It may be bundled with errors and omissions policies.

Why is cyber liability insurance important?

Doing business online comes with its own risks. Data loss or theft can have a devastating impact on an organization, including financial losses. When an organization purchases cyber insurance, a portion of the risk is transferred to the insurer.

For instance, a company suffers a breach and incurs $100 million in costs related to the security incident. In such circumstances, depending on the insurance plan, the insurer could cover a portion of the cost. A cyber insurance policy acts as an additional layer of protection and reduces financial risks arising from cyber incidents.

Who needs cyber liability insurance?

Certain types of businesses are more vulnerable to cyber-risks and can benefit significantly from cyber liability insurance. Here are some examples:

Businesses handling sensitive data

Businesses that handle sensitive customer information, such as personal or financial data, are at higher risk of data breaches. Cyber liability insurance provides essential protection for these businesses, covering the costs associated with data breach response and recovery.

Businesses relying on digital systems

Businesses that rely heavily on digital systems and online operations, such as ecommerce websites or online service providers, are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cyber liability insurance helps protect these businesses from the financial impact of cyber incidents, ensuring they can continue operating smoothly.

Businesses subject to regulatory requirements

Businesses subject to data protection laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), must comply with strict requirements to avoid fines and penalties. Cyber liability insurance provides coverage for these regulatory fines and helps businesses meet their legal obligations.

Businesses with high cyber-risk profiles

Certain industries, such as financial services, healthcare and technology, have higher cyber-risk profiles. These businesses face increased risks of cyber incidents and can benefit from the comprehensive protection offered by cyber liability insurance.

How can businesses assess their cyber liability insurance needs?

Assessing cyber liability insurance needs involves evaluating several factors, including the business’s size, industry, risk profile and existing cybersecurity measures. Businesses should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and determine the appropriate level of coverage. Consulting with insurance professionals and cybersecurity experts can also help businesses understand their specific needs and choose the right policy.

What are benefits of cyber liability insurance?

Cyber liability insurance offers several benefits to businesses, providing crucial support in the event of a cyber incident. Let’s discuss a few of them:

• Financial protection: Cyber liability insurance helps mitigate the financial impact of cyber incidents, covering legal expenses, regulatory fines and costs associated with data breach response and recovery. This protection is essential for maintaining financial stability and recovering from cyber incidents.
• Reputation management: A data breach can damage a business’s reputation. Cyber liability insurance provides resources for managing reputational damage, including public relations support and customer communication, helping businesses restore customer trust and credibility.
• Legal compliance: Cyber liability insurance assists businesses in meeting regulatory requirements related to data protection and privacy. This reduces the risk of costly fines and penalties and ensures that businesses remain compliant with relevant laws.
• Incident response support: Cyber liability insurance offers access to cybersecurity experts, forensic investigators and legal counsel. These resources help businesses respond effectively to cyber incidents, mitigating further damage and ensuring a swift recovery.

What to look for in cyber insurance coverage: Key considerations

When choosing a cyber liability insurance policy, businesses should consider the following key factors:

Coverage limits and deductibles

Understanding the coverage limits and deductibles of a policy is essential. Businesses should ensure that the policy provides sufficient coverage to meet their needs and that the deductible is affordable.

Exclusions and limitations

Businesses should carefully review any exclusions and limitations in the policy. This ensures that they are aware of what is not covered and can take additional measures to mitigate those risks.

Claims handling process and response times

The efficiency of the claims handling process and the insurer’s response times are crucial. Businesses should choose an insurer known for prompt and efficient claims processing to ensure swift resolution in the event of a cyber incident.

Policy endorsements and additional coverages

Some policies offer endorsements and additional coverages for specific risks. Businesses should evaluate these options to customize their coverage according to their unique needs.

Insurer’s financial stability and reputation

The financial stability and reputation of the insurer are important considerations. Businesses should choose a reputable insurer with a strong track record of financial stability and reliable service.

Premium costs and affordability

Finally, businesses should consider the cost of the premiums and ensure that the policy is affordable. Balancing cost with the level of coverage provided is essential for making an informed decision.

How Unitrends Backup Software helps organizations comply with cyber liability insurance requirements

Unitrends Backup Software plays a vital role in helping businesses comply with cyber liability insurance requirements by providing comprehensive backup and recovery. Here are some key features of Unitrends Backup Software that support this compliance:

• Automated long-term data management: Ensures that data is securely stored and easily retrievable for compliance purposes.
• Advanced, artificial intelligence (AI)-based ransomware detection: Detects ransomware threats early and mitigates them before they cause significant damage.
• Automatic testing: Regularly tests backups to ensure they are functional and can be restored quickly in the event of an incident.
• Cloud-empowered continuity: Provides robust cloud backup solutions for uninterrupted business operations.
• Advanced instant recovery: Allows for quick recovery of data and systems, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

By leveraging these features, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity posture and meet the requirements of their cyber liability insurance policies. To learn more, get a demo.

Cyber liability insurance is essential for protecting businesses from the financial and operational impacts of cyber incidents. By providing coverage for a wide range of expenses, cyber liability insurance helps businesses mitigate risks, maintain compliance and ensure continuity.

To further bolster your cybersecurity efforts and meet cyber liability insurance requirements, consider Unitrends Backup Software. Its comprehensive backup and recovery features offer robust protection against cyberthreats.

Want to discover the top 5 reasons why cyber liability insurance companies deny claims? Download this checklist.