The Scenario

A UK-based professional services firm with 25 employees suffers a ransomware attack after an employee clicks on a phishing email. Hackers gain access to the firm’s network, encrypt key systems, and threaten to publish client data unless a ransom is paid.

The firm is unable to access its systems for several days, disrupting client work and billing.

Itemised Claim Costs

Immediate Incident Response

• IT forensic investigation: £18,000
• Cyber incident response specialists (24/7 access): £7,500
• Legal advice on data breach obligations: £6,000

Cyber Extortion & Ransomware

• Ransom payment (negotiated and legally permitted): £25,000
• Specialist ransom negotiator fees: £4,000

Data & System Recovery

• Data restoration and system rebuild: £22,000
• Temporary replacement hardware and software licences: £9,500

Business Interruption

• Loss of gross profit during 5-day system outage: £30,000

Third-Party & Regulatory Costs

• GDPR breach notification and client communications: £5,500
• Credit monitoring services for affected clients: £8,000
• ICO regulatory defence costs: £6,500

Total Claim Cost

Total insured loss: £141,000

This example is illustrative only. Cyber insurance cover and claims outcomes depend on policy terms, fraud protections, insurer requirements, and the circumstances of the incident.

The Scenario

A UK-registered charity with 4 trustees and 6 volunteers holds personal data on donors, beneficiaries, and volunteers, including contact details and limited financial information. The charity relies on cloud-based email and a donor management system to operate.

A volunteer’s email account is compromised following a phishing attack. The attacker gains access to the charity’s mailbox, downloads donor data, and uses the account to send fraudulent emails to supporters requesting donations.

The breach is discovered after several donors contact the charity to query suspicious payment requests.

Itemised Claim Costs

Immediate Incident Response

• IT forensic investigation and breach containment: £9,000
• Cyber incident response and guidance hotline: £4,000
• Legal advice on data protection obligations: £5,500

Data Breach Management

• GDPR breach notification drafting and delivery: £3,000
• Donor and beneficiary communications: £2,500
• Credit monitoring services for affected individuals: £6,500

Reputational & Crisis Management

• Public relations and reputation management support: £4,500
• Website and email security improvements post-incident: £7,000

Regulatory & Third-Party Costs

• ICO investigation defence costs: £6,000
• Trustee legal advice relating to governance duties: £4,500

Financial Loss & Remediation

• Refunds to donors affected by fraud: £8,000
• Temporary admin support to manage enquiries: £3,500

Total Claim Cost

Total insured loss: £63,500

For a small charity, costs of this scale could place significant strain on reserves and divert funds away from charitable objectives.

How Cyber Insurance Responded

The cyber insurance policy:

• Provided immediate access to specialist breach response and legal support
• Covered regulatory defence and third-party response costs
• Helped trustees demonstrate appropriate governance and risk management
• Enabled the charity to restore donor confidence and continue its activities

This example is illustrative only. Cyber insurance cover and claims outcomes depend on policy terms, fraud protections, insurer requirements, and the circumstances of the incident.

The Scenario

A UK manufacturing company operating automated production lines suffers a cyber attack targeting its industrial control systems (ICS). Attackers gain access through an unpatched remote maintenance connection used by a third-party contractor.

The attack disrupts programmable logic controllers (PLCs) controlling key machinery, forcing the manufacturer to shut down production for several days while systems are isolated and investigated.

The disruption leads to delayed customer orders, overtime costs, and concerns over product quality on partially completed batches.

Itemised Claim Costs

Immediate Incident Response

• Industrial cyber forensic investigation: £28,000
• Emergency containment and network isolation: £12,500
• Specialist operational technology consultants: £15,000

Production & Operational Losses

• Loss of gross profit during 6-day shutdown: £95,000
• Staff overtime to clear production backlog: £18,000
• Temporary outsourcing of urgent customer orders: £22,000

System Recovery & Remediation

• Reprogramming and testing of industrial control systems: £26,000
• Replacement of compromised network hardware: £14,500
• Security upgrades and enhanced monitoring tools: £19,000

Product & Supply Chain Costs

• Disposal of incomplete or potentially defective stock: £11,000
• Contractual penalties for delayed deliveries: £17,500
• Customer communications and account management support: £4,500

Professional & Regulatory Costs

• Legal and compliance advice: £7,500
• Public relations and crisis management support: £6,000

Total Claim Cost

Total insured loss: £296,500

For manufacturers operating on tight production schedules, even a short period of downtime can create substantial operational and financial pressure.

How Cyber Insurance Responded

The cyber insurance policy:

• Provided rapid access to industrial cyber security specialists
• Covered business interruption and system recovery costs
• Helped manage customer communications and contractual exposures
• Supported the manufacturer in restoring operations safely and efficiently

This example is illustrative only. Cyber insurance cover and claims outcomes depend on policy terms, fraud protections, insurer requirements, and the circumstances of the incident.

The Scenario

A small UK construction company with 12 employees experiences an invoice manipulation fraud after an employee’s email account is compromised through a phishing attack.

Cyber criminals monitor email conversations between the company and a regular subcontractor. The attackers then send amended payment details from the compromised account shortly before a large supplier payment is due.

Believing the request to be genuine, the company transfers funds to the fraudulent bank account. The breach is only discovered when the subcontractor later queries the missing payment.

The company also incurs costs investigating the compromise and securing its systems to prevent further attacks.

Itemised Claim Costs

Financial Fraud Loss

• Fraudulent payment transferred to attacker-controlled account: £38,000

Incident Investigation & Response

• IT forensic investigation: £6,500
• Emergency email security review and account recovery: £3,500
• Cyber incident response support: £2,500

Operational & Professional Costs

• Legal advice regarding recovery and reporting obligations: £4,000
• Additional accountancy and banking support: £2,000
• Temporary administrative support during investigation: £1,500

System Remediation & Security Improvements

• Multi-factor authentication rollout: £2,500
• Staff cyber awareness and phishing training: £1,800
• Enhanced email filtering and monitoring tools: £3,200

Reputational & Commercial Costs

• Customer and supplier communications: £1,200
• Goodwill payment to affected subcontractor following delayed settlement: £4,500

Total Claim Cost

Total insured loss: £69,200

For a small construction business, invoice manipulation fraud can create immediate cash flow pressure and disrupt supplier relationships.

How Cyber Insurance Responded

The cyber insurance policy:

• Assisted with specialist fraud response and forensic investigation
• Helped recover part of the fraudulent transfer through rapid reporting procedures
• Covered investigation, remediation, and associated professional costs
• Supported the business in improving email security and reducing future risk exposure

This example is illustrative only. Cyber insurance cover and claims outcomes depend on policy terms, fraud protections, insurer requirements, and the circumstances of the incident.