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Cyber Insurance: Financial Protection for SMEs

Cyberattacks are among the greatest business risks of the 21st century. According to estimates, over 90 percent of companies are affected by cyberattacks every year, and the potential financial losses are significant.

Appropriate cyber insurance reduces the financial consequences of an attack and supports a robust cyber-risk strategy. It is essential to protect yourself against these growing threats.

Cyber Insurance for SMEs

Cyber insurance covers typical risks

Loss of data

Protection against the loss of sensitive information.

Business interruption

Protection against loss of income due to operational disruptions.

Extortion

Coverage of ransom demands by cybercriminals.

Liability claims

Coverage of third-party claims arising from data breaches.

Loss of reputation

Support in restoring a company’s reputation.

Fines and restoration costs

Coverage of restoration costs and possible fines.

Selecting the right cyber insurance requires careful analysis and comparison of different offerings.

How to choose the right cyber insurance

1. Risk analysis
Identify your company’s specific threats and vulnerabilities.
2. Compare offers
Choose the policy with an appropriate sum insured, deductible, and premiums that fit your company.
3. Advice from experts
Work with independent consultants who have experience with cyber insurance and understand your company’s specific requirements.

Case study: Cyberattack at an architecture firm

An architecture firm with around 20 employees receives an e-mail from an alleged client. The attachment supposedly contains updated construction plans – but in fact it is malware. After opening the e-mail, all systems are encrypted within minutes.

Operations come to a standstill: no access to CAD software, project documentation, calendars, or e-mail. A ransom demand appears on the screen – to be paid in cryptocurrency, within 48 hours.

The specific consequences:

Three days of complete operational shutdown

No project work, no communication with clients, deadlines cannot be met.

Delay of a public construction project

A contractual penalty loomed and was only narrowly avoided.

Loss of trust among clients and partners

Withdrawal or reduction of contracts, fewer referrals, more difficult collaboration.

The costs in detail:

Item

  • IT forensics & system restoration
  • Emergency operations & replacement solutions
  • Legal fees & data-protection consulting
  • Internal downtime (productivity)
  • Project delays & consequential effort
  • Total costs

Estimated amount (CHF)

  • 18,000.00
  • 8,500.00
  • 12,000.00
  • 24,000.00
  • 15,000.00
  • approx. 77,500.00

Thanks to an existing cyber insurance policy, some external costs could be covered – but not all. In particular, business interruption was insufficiently insured.

The lesson: Technical prevention alone is not enough – and when it comes to insurance, what matters is how well it matches the actual risk situation.

With support from smzh ag, coverage was completely redesigned after the incident – individually, independently, and focused on operations, not just standard solutions.

Conclusion

In today’s digital world, SMEs are increasingly exposed to cyber risks. They have the potential to cause serious financial and operational damage. A carefully selected cyber insurance policy can help strengthen SMEs’ resilience against cyber threats.

Pren Pervorfi emphasizes:

“Companies should take proactive measures to manage their cyber risks and protect themselves with appropriate insurance. It is important that, in addition to insurance, you establish efficient cyber-risk management in order to gain the full benefit from your cyber insurance. This includes regular security reviews and training your employees to reduce the likelihood of cyberattacks.”

Pren Pervorfi
Pren Pervorfi, Member of the Board of Directors
160employees
18,000clients
13locations

We deal with these and many other questions every day. You don’t have to grapple with them alone, because our 360° Check-Up is free of charge and non-binding.

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A policy that protects Swiss SMEs against the financial consequences of cyberattacks such as data loss, business interruption, extortion, and liability claims.

Depending on the policy: restoration of data and systems, compensation for loss of earnings, support in cases of cyber extortion, defense and settlement of third-party claims, and reputation protection.

For any SME with digital processes or customer data, particularly where there is e-commerce, remote work, networked systems, or regulatory obligations.

Start with a risk analysis, compare offers by sum insured, deductible, and exclusions, and obtain our independent advice.

No. Maximum effectiveness is achieved when combined with cyber risk management such as regular security checks, training, and clear incident processes.

Independent expertise, industry know-how, and a holistic approach ensure tailored cyber insurance solutions for SMEs in Switzerland.

St. Gallen Office

smzh for you

  • Independent expertise: As independent advisors, we are not tied to any specific insurance providers and can offer you objective recommendations.
  • Industry-specific know-how: We have extensive experience across various industries and understand the specific risks and requirements.
  • Holistic approach: We consider your company as a whole and develop integrated insurance solutions that take all aspects into account.