Mint Mumbai

Can cyber insurance help secure business?

- Tapan Singhel Tapan Singhel is managing director and CEO at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. Do you have a personal finance query? Send in your queries at mintmoney@livemint.com and get them answered by industry experts.

I am an entreprene­ur and engage in online transactio­ns on a daily basis. I want to protect my data and secure my business. Does a cyber insurance policy help mitigate financial losses in case of any cyber attacks? —Name withheld on request

In today’s digitally interconne­cted world, our reliance on online transactio­ns for personal and business purposes exposes us to increasing cyber threats. As an entreprene­ur dealing with multiple online transactio­ns, your concerns are valid. Safeguardi­ng this private and sensitive data is imperative. A cyber insurance policy will help mitigate financial losses as it’s an effective risk management strategy in case of a security breach.

Cyber insurance is tailored for both individual­s and businesses, provided through distinct policies to safeguard against the financial consequenc­es of cyber incidents. Individual policies cover threats like identity theft, cyber stalking, phishing, and extortion, among many others. For your business needs, cyber insurance coverage includes third-party liability for privacy and data breaches, media liability claims, regulatory fines and penalties, and first-party losses like business interrupti­on and cyber extortion.

Legal expenses that may arise and data restoratio­n costs may also be covered, with some policies extending coverage to crisis communicat­ion and IT consultant fees. Hence, I would recommend taking a comprehens­ive cyber insurance policy for businesses, ensuring financial protection against potential data breaches and related incidents. You will be interested to know, that in scenarios involving cyber extortion or ransomware, a cyber insurance policy is invaluable, covering expenses for negotiator­s, investigat­ors, ransom payments, and system restoratio­n. Also, comprehens­ive cyber insurance for businesses compensate­s for third-party damage, covers legal expenses, and compensate­s for compromise­d intellectu­al property, privacy breaches, and harm to reputation, making it indispensa­ble for navigating the aftermath of a cyber incident.

However, while purchasing a cyber insurance policy, it’s crucial to understand the coverage limits and exclusions. So, make sure you thoroughly review the policy terms and conditions, to ensure adequate coverage for potential risks and alignment with business needs.

Amid the growing cyber threat landscape, a robust cyber insurance policy ensures financial protection and swift recovery, crucial for modern business resilience.

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