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Writer's pictureLuke Kiely

Should Accountants Push for Cyber Insurance or Stronger Defences?



In an era where cyberattacks are becoming an unfortunate norm, many businesses turn to cyber insurance as a critical component of their risk management strategy. Much like traditional insurance policies for liability or health, cyber insurance provides financial relief in the event of a data breach, ransomware attack, or other cyber incidents.


On the surface, it appears to be a sensible safeguard. But is relying on cyber insurance alone truly the best approach? Should accountants, the gatekeepers of financial and risk assessments, advocate for a stronger investment in cybersecurity infrastructure instead of leaning on insurance as a fallback?


A Safety Net or a Crutch?


The demand for cyber insurance has skyrocketed in recent years. As businesses grapple with the growing threat of cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, many see cyber insurance as a financial safety net. It covers a wide array of expenses that follow a breach, including forensic investigations, legal fees, customer notification costs, and even ransomware payments in some cases. For many organizations, cyber insurance offers peace of mind, allowing them to manage the financial fallout from a breach without dipping into their reserves or slashing other budgets.


But herein lies the problem: cyber insurance doesn’t prevent attacks, it only helps clean up the aftermath. It’s a reactive measure, not a proactive one. This leads to a critical question:


Are businesses too reliant on cyber insurance as a crutch, rather than investing in the necessary defences to prevent breaches from happening in the first place?

For accountants tasked with managing risk, this is a particularly important issue. A breach can have devastating consequences, not just financially, but also in terms of reputational damage and regulatory penalties. Accountants must weigh the cost of investing in robust cybersecurity measures against the perceived safety net that cyber insurance provides. However, the true cost of a cyberattack often far exceeds what an insurance policy can cover, particularly when it comes to long-term reputational damage and loss of customer trust.


The Costs of Over-Reliance on Cyber Insurance


Cyber insurance is not a silver bullet. Policies often have strict limitations, and the fine print can leave businesses vulnerable in ways they didn’t anticipate. For example, most cyber insurance policies have exclusions for certain types of attacks or breaches resulting from negligence. If a company is found to have inadequate security practices in place, insurers may refuse to cover the costs. In such cases, the business is left exposed despite having paid for coverage.


Moreover, cyber insurance policies typically come with high premiums and deductibles, especially as the frequency and severity of cyberattacks increase. For smaller businesses, these costs can become prohibitive, and there is no guarantee that a pay out will cover the full extent of the damages. Accountants, who often are responsible for evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of insurance policies, must ask:


Is the company better served by pouring money into premiums, or would those resources be better spent on building stronger cybersecurity defences that could prevent breaches in the first place?

Additionally, the mere existence of cyber insurance can create a false sense of security. Businesses may believe that as long as they are covered by insurance, they can afford to cut corners on cybersecurity infrastructure. This complacency is dangerous. Cybercriminals are sophisticated and can exploit even minor weaknesses in a company's defences. The more complacent a business becomes, the more vulnerable it is to attack.


Strengthening Defences - A Proactive Approach


Instead of relying primarily on cyber insurance, accountants should be advocating for a more comprehensive, proactive approach to cybersecurity. Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure is not just a technological imperative but a financial one. The upfront costs of strengthening defences—whether through advanced firewalls, multi-factor authentication, employee training, or regular security audits—may seem steep, but they pale in comparison to the potential costs of a major breach.


For instance, the Federal Trade Commission’s Safeguards Rule under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) requires financial institutions, including certain types of accountants and auditors, to develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program to protect customer information. Compliance with these regulations is not just a legal obligation but also a significant step toward building a robust cybersecurity framework. Accountants need to understand these regulations deeply and ensure that their organizations are not only compliant but going above and beyond the minimum standards.


Beyond the legal requirements, building stronger defences can also enhance a company’s reputation. In a world where consumers are increasingly concerned about how their data is handled, companies that invest in top-tier security measures can differentiate themselves in the marketplace. This proactive stance can be a significant competitive advantage, especially in industries like accounting and finance, where trust is paramount.


Insurance is Not Enough


Cyber insurance may provide a financial safety net in the event of a breach, but it is not a substitute for strong cybersecurity defences. Accountants, as key decision-makers in resource allocation and risk management, must push for a balanced approach—one that includes both insurance and significant investments in cybersecurity infrastructure. In today’s digital world, the cost of complacency is far too high.

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