Cybercrime and Insurance Conference 2017

After a successful 2016 edition of the Cybercrime and Insurance Conference, we are back again this year with a platform where organisations will get to know more on cyber security strategies, how to adapt to the technological innovations and how to make businesses safe.

THERE is no doubt that cybercrime continues to be a serious challenge that companies and individuals are grappling with the world over. Businesses all over the world are battling to close the cybercrime security gap given the continuous growth in cloud computing, mobile and the Internet of Things (IoT). This can be attributed to the advancement of technology and the ability to use the innovative new business models and this has changed the way business is being conducted.

This means that the risks of potential cyber-attacks also increase with the advancement of technology. As such, it has become very complicated and costly for businesses to keep on top of the game to avert these attacks. Although various security measures are being put in place, Cyber security alone is not adequate as cyber criminals are often protected by the layers of high-tech encryption and technology. It is therefore important that organisations move with times in terms of technology and when it comes to managing cyber threats.

With over $500-billion plus said to be lost to cybercrime annually, South Africa alone ranks third in the world for the number of hacked devices. The insurance industry has not been exempt from this disruption that is coming with these technologies.

Cyber-attacks can disrupt the smooth functioning of an organisation due to the  extent of financial, income loss and reputational damages that it  is capable of. A comprehensive cyber-attack insurance cover continues to be a pertinent part of any company as none is immune to a cyber- attack.

Insurance companies continue to face this challenge as the attacks are not specific to any sector or organisation. Cyber criminals are adaptable and are not motivated by money alone. Cyber criminals now look for innovations, blueprints, digital certificates and physical access codes amongst other motivations. Traditionally, insurance organisations have had the responsibility to managing risks, but due to the nature of cybercrime and its devastating results, a holistic and measured approach is required to combat cybercrime.

In the face of insurers facing an all-time low retention rate, backed by growing customer demand and rising concerns about cybercrime, it is high time that organisations adapt their systems accordingly in the fight against cybercrime.

This two-day conference is geared towards examining how technology such as use of Big Data and analytics, mobile, internet of things can be adopted by companies to address the cybercrime threats. The increasing demand for cyber insurance, various cyber incidents, crisis management and the measures to mitigate cybercrime will be discussed at the conference amongst other topics.

Event Speakers