As a small business retailer, if someone told you that you needed to protect your business, your mind would likely venture to several different tasks.

You’d think about ensuring you had the right alarm system installed or whether your insurance would cover you in the event of a natural disaster— these are the essential protections that most retailers know they need.

However, cyber liability insurance is missing from this list of considerations. Cyber liability insurance is a relatively new product and, as a result, is not an area that many small retailers prioritize. However, as a modern business, this niche insurance product is definitely something you should investigate further and purchase.

What is cyber liability insurance?

First, let’s define cyber liability insurance. In a nutshell, cyber liability insurance protects your business against issues caused by data leaks and breaches. You’ve likely seen news stories over the past few years about big companies, such as Sony and Equifax, suffering data breaches.

When a data breach occurs, it’s incredibly expensive for the business. There are many expenses you may suffer in the event of a data breach:

  • Notification expenses: If you discover a data breach, you must notify any customers who may have been impacted by the breach.
  • Cyber extortion: Cybercrime involving extortion is becoming more common. Thieves withhold your business data from you until you pay a ransom.
  • Legal expenses: In the event of a data breach, customers impacted by the breach have the legal right to sue your business. This can be extremely expensive, especially if you are found liable and required to pay damages.

The costs of the above can be substantial, so cyber liability insurance is a product that protects you from these eventualities. Rather than your business having to suffer through a troublesome leak and dip into existing funds to cover the attached expenses, you can just make a claim on your policy.

Now you know what cyber liability insurance is, here’s why every business needs it.

#1 – All businesses rely on data, making all businesses a target for cybercrime

If you run a brick-and-mortar store, it’s easy to dismiss the need for cyber liability insurance. Sure, you can see why e-commerce stores might need such insurance, but if you’re a traditional physical store, what cyber information do you have to protect?

Well…

  • Transaction processing information: If you process customer transactions by debit or credit card—online or offline—your business is in possession of information that cyber thieves would like to steal.
  • Customer names: If you use an IT system to record customer details, you’re once again in possession of valuable information to cyber thieves.
  • Contact information: Processing transactions often require the use of contact information, such as phone numbers and email addresses. If you store this information electronically, then you have a duty of care to ensure it’s stored safely.

The simple truth is that businesses that don’t have some measure of reliance on digital data are all but not nonexistent in the modern world. Essentially, if you use a computer for any part of your business process, you are inevitably storing valuable information.

This means that all businesses—physical or online businesses—are attractive targets to cyber thieves. When you accept that you’re a target, you also have to accept that you need to protect yourself. Some of these protections are data security measures, but you also have to protect yourself via insurance, just in case all of your security measures fail.

#2 – The need to reassure customers

In the event of a data breach, you will face many issues. The main issues are practical in nature, but you will also have to deal with the blow such a breach can make to how customers perceive your business. In fact, many businesses see customer perception as one of the biggest problems caused by a data breach, which is why many companies who suffer leaks attempt to keep the leak secret.

Not only is keeping the leaked secret a bad idea simply for reasons of transparency, but it may also violate state law. Even worse, if the truth eventually does come out, then your business’s reputation will be even more damaged because you tried to hide it.

Ultimately, the only way to deal with a data boost — and protect your relationship with your customers — is to CAR: confess and rectify.

However, CAR is expensive to implement when your business may already be suffering financial hardship, for example, if you have had to pay cyber extortion costs. Cyber liability insurance ensures that you can CAR to the very best of your abilities right from when you learn there is a problem. While customers will likely be alarmed by the breach, the fact that you chose and implemented an effective CAR solution will go in your favor.

#3 – In the event of a data breach, you need to get back up and running ASAP

Imagine the following all-too-plausible scenario: your entire business is shut down due to cyber extortion. The amount demanded is so high that you don’t have the funds to cover it— and you can’t make extra money because the business can’t operate due to the hack.

This scenario can and does happen, and it’s severe enough to derail even the most successful businesses. With cyber liability insurance, you can settle a cyber extortion claim and get your store up and running again in the shortest possible time frame. This alone is a convincing argument as to the absolute necessity of cyber liability insurance.

Key Takeaways

Cyber liability insurance is an essential investment for every small business retailer. By providing financial protection against the growing threat of cyber attacks, this insurance offers peace of mind and safeguards the business from devastating financial losses and reputational damage.

With cyber threats on the rise and regulatory requirements becoming stricter, having robust cyber liability coverage is not just a prudent choice but a critical necessity for ensuring the long-term resilience and success of small business retailers in today’s digital landscape.

FAQs

What is cyber liability insurance, and why is it important for small business retailers?

Cyber liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides financial protection to businesses in the event of cyber-related incidents, such as data breaches, hacking attacks, or system failures.

Cyber liability insurance is crucial for small business retailers because it helps mitigate the financial and reputational risks associated with cyber threats. It covers expenses related to data recovery, legal fees, regulatory fines, and customer notification costs, providing peace of mind and financial security in an increasingly digital world.

What specific cyber risks do small business retailers face, and how does cyber liability insurance mitigate them?

Small business retailers face various cyber risks, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and payment card fraud.

Cyber liability insurance helps mitigate these risks by covering expenses such as data recovery, legal fees, regulatory fines, and customer notification costs. Additionally, it offers assistance in managing the aftermath of an attack, including public relations support and credit monitoring services for affected customers.

How does cyber liability insurance help small business retailers recover from a cyber attack?

Cyber liability insurance helps small business retailers recover from a cyber attack by providing financial support for expenses incurred in the aftermath. This includes covering costs for data recovery, legal fees, regulatory fines, and customer notification.

Additionally, the insurance may offer post-attack services such as public relations support and credit monitoring for affected customers, helping to minimize reputational damage and restore business operations swiftly.

Are there any legal or regulatory requirements mandating small business retailers to have cyber liability insurance?

Currently, there are generally no legal or regulatory requirements mandating small business retailers to have cyber liability insurance. However, specific industry regulations or contractual obligations with partners or clients may necessitate cyber liability coverage.

Small business retailers need to assess their legal obligations and consider the potential benefits of cyber liability insurance in protecting their businesses from cyber risks.

How can small business retailers determine the right cyber liability insurance coverage?

Small business retailers can determine the right cyber liability insurance coverage for their specific needs by assessing their cyber risk exposure, understanding coverage options, and considering factors such as industry regulations and budget constraints.

Working with insurance professionals specializing in cyber insurance can also help retailers tailor a policy that aligns with their unique needs and provides adequate protection against cyber threats.