The insurance firm Zurich has warned that many forms of cyber-attack might become uninsurable. Mario Greco, Zurich’s chief executive, explained that the devastating effects of many types of hacks are making it extremely difficult for insurance underwriters to provide sufficient cover. He pointed to the knock-on effects that many hacks can have, explaining: “First off, there must be a perception that this is not just data . . . this is about civilisation. These people (hackers) can severely disrupt our lives.” Recent attacks have led insurers to raise policy prices and limit events covered, with many now refusing to pay out if an attack is state-sponsored. Finally, Greco called for governments to prepare to handle larger attacks on critical infrastructure, such as the 2021 Colonial Pipeline attack.
