The Challenges and Pain of Pricing Cyber Risk

Dr Magda CHELLY, CISSP, PhD
Magda On Cyber
Published in
5 min readJul 1, 2022

Cyber risk is an increasingly important consideration for businesses of all sizes. In today’s digital world, a data breach can have far-reaching consequences, and the potential cost of a cyber attack is skyrocketing.

As the frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks continue to grow, so does the need for comprehensive cyber risk management. An effective cyber risk management program should address four key areas:

- Identification and assessment of cyber risks

- Development and implementation of mitigation strategies

- Continuous monitoring and improvement of the program

- Communication and coordination among all stakeholders

It is no secret that pricing cyber risk is a difficult task. There are so many factors to consider, and the potential consequences of making the wrong decision can be significant. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the challenges and pain points associated with pricing cyber risk. We will also offer some tips for how to make the process easier and more manageable.

Photo by FLY:D on Unsplash

What does pricing cyber risk mean?

Pricing cyber risk is the process of determining the cost of insuring against a potential cyber attack. This includes both the direct costs, such as the cost of repairs and replacements and the indirect costs, such as the loss of customers or damage to reputation.

When pricing cyber risk, businesses must take into account a variety of factors, including the type of business, the size of the business, the industry, the geographic location, the type of data, and the security measures in place.

Pricing cyber risk is a complex task, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. businesses must carefully consider all of the factors mentioned above and tailor their approach to their specific needs.

What are some of the challenges associated with pricing cyber risk?

One of the biggest challenges associated with pricing cyber risk is the uncertainty surrounding the potential cost of a cyber attack. There is no way to know for sure how much a cyber attack will cost until it happens. This makes it difficult to set an accurate price.

Another challenge is the ever-changing nature of cyber threats. New threats are constantly emerging, and old ones are constantly evolving. This makes it difficult to keep up with the latest trends and to predict the future cost of a cyber attack.

Finally, pricing cyber risk is also complicated by the fact that there is no standard definition of what constitutes a cyber attack. This lack of clarity can make it difficult to compare prices and determine which policy is the best value for the business.

What are some tips for pricing cyber risk?

Despite the challenges, there are a few things businesses can do to make the process of pricing cyber risk easier and more manageable.

One tip is to work with a broker or an insurance company that specializes in cyber risk. These organizations have the knowledge and experience to help businesses navigate the complexities of pricing cyber risk.

Another tip is to develop a comprehensive cyber risk management program, using quantification. This will help businesses to identify and assess their cyber risks, to develop mitigation strategies, and monitor and improve their program over time efficiently.

What is cyber risk quantification?

Cyber risk quantification is the process of assigning a numerical value to cyber risks. This helps businesses to compare and contrast different risks, and to make informed decisions about which risks to insure against.

There are a number of different methods businesses can use to quantify cyber risk. One common approach is to use historical data to estimate the potential cost of a cyber attack. This involves looking at past attacks and estimating the cost of similar attacks.

Another approach is to use simulations to generate data about the potential cost of a cyber attack. This involves creating models of different types of attacks and running simulations to see how much they would cost.

Finally, businesses can also use expert judgment to quantify cyber risk. This involves working with experts in the field to estimate the potential cost of different types of attacks.

Which approach is best for a business will depend on several factors, including the type of business, the size of the business, the industry, and the geographic location.

Cyber Risk Management And Quantification — The Difficulties and Dilemmas

What are the tools that help pricing cyber risk?

There are a number of different tools businesses can use to price cyber risk. One common tool is the Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR™). This framework helps businesses to identify and assess their cyber risks, to develop mitigation strategies, and monitor and improve their program over time.

Another tool is the Cost of a Data Breach Study, which is produced by the Ponemon Institute. This study provides businesses with data about the average cost of a data breach, as well as the factors that can influence the cost of a breach.

Finally, you can use IMMUNE from Responsible Cyber. IMMUNE is a SaaS platform that helps businesses to assess their cyber risks and to develop mitigation strategies. It also provides businesses with a way to track and monitor their progress over time.

Ask for an IMMUNE demo here:

Cyber risk management includes treatment and transfer.

Treatment is the process of reducing the likelihood or severity of a cyber attack. This can be done through a number of different methods, including training employees, implementing security controls, and developing incident response plans.

Transfer is the process of transferring the risk of a cyber attack to another party, such as an insurance company. This can be done through a variety of methods, including insurance, self-insurance, and risk retention.

Each business is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing cyber risk. But, there is always a residual risk. And, the best way to manage this residual risk is to develop a comprehensive cyber risk management program that includes treatment and transfer.

By Magda Chelly

Chief Security Officer | TEDx Speaker | Author & Keynote Speaker | IFSEC Global Top 20 Cybersecurity Influencer | Entrepreneur | PhD, S-CISO, CISSP, Cert SCI (General Insurance)

Find out on magda-on-cyber.com

Follow Magda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/m49D4ch3lly

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Dr Magda CHELLY, CISSP, PhD
Magda On Cyber

Cyberfeminist | Entrepreneur | Former CISO | PhD, CISSP, S-CISO | CoFounder Responsible Cyber | @womenoncyber | Documentary The Dark Web on @myCanal