Only as strong as the cyber discipline
In recent years, cyber insurance has evolved from a „nice-to-have“ to a necessity for any corporate risk strategy. But here comes the uncomfortable truth: a policy replaces not a good cyber defense, but needs a strong cyber discipline.
Companies are often not slowed down by highly complex cyber attacks, but by negligence in everyday life. The figures speak for themselves:
- 22 percent of all security breaches start with stolen or misused access data
- 20 percent happen via open security gaps
- 16 percent through simple phishing
These are routine errors - not sophisticated hacker tricks. Insurers no longer tolerate such carelessness.
Why a policy is not a blank check
Anyone who thinks cyber insurance is a no-brainer is wrong. Insurers do not pay automatically - they examine every incident extremely strictly. Many policies even explicitly link benefits to basic security measures such as:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Patch management
- Credential hygiene
- Documented incident response
Those who do not consistently adhere to these basics risk reduced benefits or even a complete rejection in the event of a claim.
The dangerous cycle of false security
A typical scenario: a company takes out cyber insurance and feels it is adequately protected. The focus shifts to spectacular, highly complex threats.
At the same time, everyday routine checks are neglected or only carried out inconsistently.
This is exactly where the attackers strike: an open patch, compromised access data, an overlooked security leak - and the claim is there. If the insurer checks whether the security requirements have been met, this can have fatal consequences: reduced payments or complete rejection.
The real causes lie in everyday life
The greatest damage is not caused by exotic cyber attacks, but by everyday breaches:
- Credential harvesting attacks accounted for 29 percent of all compromises in 2024
- It took a median of 94 days for companies to clean up leaked secrets on GitHub
At the same time, hackers are professionalizing their phishing attacks: fake websites, long-lasting impersonation campaigns and deceptively real profiles have long been part of everyday life.
Insurers know this and are becoming increasingly strict.
Many policies require proof that the level of security is no worse than when the policy was taken out - not only when the policy is taken out, but also when it is renewed and in the event of a claim.
Cybersecurity needs both: automated tools AND discipline
After all, most of these attacks could be avoided. This requires No expensive new tools, but consistent discipline in everyday life:
- Permanent credential monitoring
- Regular removal of phishing domains and fake profiles
- Patching according to exploitability, not Excel lists
Cyber insurance is therefore not a protective shield, but a MirrorIt shows whether a company has mastered the basics - or not.
Anyone relying on a policy to cover the consequences of poor cyber hygiene is playing a risky game. Not because attacks have become too clever, but because many companies are neglecting the basics.
Stay vigilant - your IT will stay that way with us!