Cyber Risk Insights takes a pulse of cybersecurity in 2019 and beyond
Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, broadening their targets and methods for cyberattacks.
Advisen hosted its annual regional Cyber Risk Insights Conference in New York City last Thursday during New York Cyber Week.
The conference kicked off with an opening keynote by a key figure at the middle of the infamous Facebook-Cambridge Analytica political scandal in which Cambridge Analytica collected the personal data of 87 million Facebook users without their consent and used it for political advertising purposes.
In this general session, “Cambridge Analytica: Myths, Facts, and Lessons Learned,” Dr. Alex Kogan, CEO of Philometrics and former researcher at Cambridge Analytica, discussed how this scandal arose and the impact it had globally on privacy discussions.
The morning general sessions continued with a critical conversation on diversity and inclusion in “Making Inclusion and Equality a Priority in the Cyber Market.” Panelists discussed how diversity brings broader perspectives to the market, improves innovation and adds new expertise.
Cyber trends in 2019 and beyond
In “The State of the Cyber Market: Current Trends and Future Predictions,” Michelle Chia, Head of Professional Liability and Cyber at Zurich North America, led a panel of risk managers as they analyzed the findings of Zurich and Advisen’s 2019 Information Security and Cyber Risk Management report.
The 2019 study found that cyber-related business interruptions are now a top concern among corporate risk managers. Additionally, the study concluded that this increased worry over cybersecurity is fueling change within the cyber insurance marketplace as customers’ demands increase and expectations evolve.
Chia noted that customers want and expect policies that include more coverages and more sophisticated services in protecting their companies.
Emerging threats: Ransomware and cyber warfare
In “Emerging Threats: More Things to Keep You Awake,” panelists identified new tactics and targets of cyberattacks and data breaches. Among the more sophisticated new tactics being used by hackers, adversaries are now targeting new tech devices, like iPhones and iPads.
Business email compromise and the use of deep-fake voices to impersonate corporate executives is also on the rise, posing a terrifying new threat to organizations on a commercial and personal level.
These more sophisticated tactics are being used increasingly in ransomware attacks, which are also on the rise. Patrick Cannon, Head of Enterprise Risk Claims at Tokio Marine says insurers are now regularly paying out $1 million ransom claims every 24 hours.
The day concluded with a closing keynote by Arceo’s Ben Beeson and CNN’s Jim Sciutto, Chief National Security Correspondent for the network and author of The Shadow War.
Sciutto presented information covered in his new book about how cyber warfare has become an effective and debilitating war tactic deployed by Russia and China against the U.S. and other adversaries.
Breaking down how U.S. adversaries are deploying these cyber warfare tactics, Sciutto emphasized how these “invisible” attacks pose severe threats to the country’s most essential democratic functions, military operations and the security of classified government data.
Increasing sophistication of cyberattacks must be met will evolved solutions
Throughout the many sessions of the Cyber Risk Insights Conference, one general theme was hit repeatedly.
Hackers are becoming more and more sophisticated in their tactics, broadening their targets and methods for cyberattacks and data breaches. Insureds are demanding more coverage options and stronger protections, and insurers need to keep pace with the changes in risk and consumer demands.
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