Technology Advisor Blog

Is your enterprise equipped to tackle the escalating cybersecurity challenges of today?  It's a brand new year, and while many people will make some New Year's Resolutions for health and fitness, don't forget your cyber fitness!  As a local technology service provider, we're seeing the cyber events that impact local businesses, and we strongly encourage you to review your insurance needs.  Big cyber incidents make the national news, but small businesses also need protection.  

While keeping pace with cutting-edge technologies and market trends is vital, securing your business with top-tier cyber liability insurance is equally crucial. Picture it as an unseen fortress safeguarding your enterprise from crippling financial fallout. Yet, to truly capitalize on its benefits and guarantee comprehensive defense, a deep comprehension of this insurance is essential.

In this blog, we'll explore the critical factors to consider while selecting cyber liability insurance. Please note these are general guidelines, and we advise you to talk to your insurance professional about the details.  But first, let's clarify the distinction between first-party coverage and third-party coverage.

First-Party Coverage vs. Third-Party Coverage

In today's digital age, every enterprise requires cyber liability insurance. To facilitate swift response and recovery from data breaches, insurers have crafted two distinct types of cyber liability insurance - first-party coverage and third-party coverage.

Here's a breakdown of their differences:

1. Focus of Coverage

   First-party coverage:

   • Defends the insured business itself.
   • Addresses direct losses and expenses stemming from a data breach.

   Third-party coverage:

   • Targets liabilities arising from third parties.
   • Handles claims from those who incurred losses due to the insured business's cyber incident.

2. Costs Covered

   First-party coverage:

   • Only reimburses the insured's immediate costs.
   • Funds loss of revenue, forensic analyses, data recovery, public relations, and customer notification efforts.

   Third-party coverage:

   • Finances the business's legal fees.
   • Addresses cyber-related liabilities, including data breaches, privacy infringements, and defamation.

3. Reputation Management

   First-party coverage:

   • Finances services like public relations firms.
   • Focuses on rebuilding a business's reputation post-cyber incident.

   Third-party coverage:

   • Primarily deals with legal matters.
   • Concentrates on defending against claims and resolving disputes with third parties.

4. Beneficiaries of Coverage

   First-party coverage:

   • Directly aids the insurer.
   • Offers immediate protection to the insured entity against direct losses.

   Third-party coverage:

   • Benefits external parties like customers, clients, and partners.
   • Provides protection to those impacted by the insured business's data breach.

Things to Think About When Shopping for a Cyber Policy

As you navigate the market for a cyber liability insurance policy, here are the general elements to consider that we recommend you review with your insurance professional.

Coverage Securing extensive coverage is fundamental in mitigating the fallout from a cyber incident. Data breaches and large-scale cyberattacks can strike at any moment. Ensure your policy is tailored to the specific cyber risks facing your business.

Limits Examine the policy's limits carefully. The chosen policy should adequately cover potential costs arising from a cyberattack, including legal fees, data restoration, and business interruption expenses.  Note that the overall limits may additionally be constrained by sub-limits for different categories of cyber events - like Ransomware vs Business eMail Compromise.

Exclusions Understand what your policy doesn't cover. Limitations can leave your business exposed. Knowing the exclusions helps in assessing the areas where your business remains vulnerable.

Incident Response Check for provisions related to developing and executing a cyber incident response plan customized for your business. A coherent response plan is critical for effectively managing a cyber incident.

Cost Compare different policies, focusing on costs and unique benefits. While cost-effectiveness is appealing, the priority should be a policy that comprehensively meets your business's needs.

Reputation Research the insurer's track record. Opt for an insurer known for positive customer feedback and efficient claim settlements. This reflects the support level you can anticipate when needed.

Building a Cyber Resilient Future

Selecting the right cyber liability insurance is a complex task, and securing a claim can be even more challenging. This is where a dedicated IT service provider steps in.

We're here to enhance your odds of obtaining the right coverage. Insurance companies will ask you a lot of questions, typically with a multi-page questionnaire, and they'll be expecting you to have some cybersecurity basics in place.  Contact us today to forge a resilient future for your business.