Decoding Cyber Insurance: What Policies Really Cover (and What They Don't)

Tanya Wetson-Catt • 14 July 2025

For small businesses navigating an increasingly digital world, cyber threats aren't just an abstract worry, they're a daily reality. Whether it's phishing scams, ransomware attacks, or accidental data leaks, the financial and reputational damage can be severe. That's why more companies are turning to cyber insurance to mitigate the risks.


Not all cyber insurance policies are created equal. Many business owners believe they're covered, only to find out (too late) that their policy has major gaps. In this blog post, we will break down exactly what's usually covered, what's not, and how to choose the right cyber insurance policy for your business.


Why Is Cyber Insurance More Crucial Than Ever?


You don't need to be a large corporation to become a target for hackers. In fact, small businesses are increasingly vulnerable. According to the 2023 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, 43% of all cyberattacks now target small to mid-sized businesses. The financial fallout from a breach can be staggering, with the average cost for smaller businesses reaching £2.20 million. That can be a substantial blow for any growing company.


Moreover, today's customers expect businesses to protect their personal data, while regulators are cracking down on data privacy violations. A good cyber insurance policy helps cover the cost of a breach but also ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA, which makes it a critical safety net.


What Cyber Insurance Typically Covers


A comprehensive cyber insurance policy is crucial in protecting your business from the financial fallout of a cyber incident. It offers two main types of coverage: first-party coverage and third-party liability coverage. Both provide different forms of protection based on your business's unique needs and the type of incident you're facing. Below, we break down each type and the specific coverages they typically include.


First-Party Coverage


First-party coverage is designed to protect your business directly when you experience a cyberattack or breach. This type of coverage helps your business recover financially from the immediate costs associated with the attack.


Breach Response Costs


One of the first areas that first-party coverage addresses is the cost of managing a breach. After a cyberattack, you'll likely need to:


  • Investigate how the breach happened and what was affected
  • Get legal advice to stay compliant with laws and reporting rules
  • Inform any customers whose data was exposed
  • Offer credit monitoring if personal details were stolen


Business Interruption


Cyberattacks that cause network downtime or disrupt business operations can result in significant revenue loss. Business interruption coverage helps mitigate the financial impact by compensating for lost income during downtime. It allows you to focus on recovery without worrying about day-to-day cash flow.


Cyber Extortion and Ransomware


Ransomware attacks are on the rise, and they can paralyse your business by locking up essential data. Cyber extortion coverage is designed to help businesses navigate these situations by covering:


  • The cost of paying a ransom to cyber attackers.
  • Hiring of professionals to negotiate with hackers to lower the ransom and recover data.
  • The costs to restore access to files that were encrypted in the attack.


Data Restoration


A major cyber incident can result in the loss or damage of critical business data. Data restoration coverage ensures that your business can recover data, whether through backup systems or through a data recovery service. This helps minimise disruption and keeps your business running smoothly.


Reputation Management


In the aftermath of a cyberattack, it's crucial to rebuild the trust of customers, partners, and investors. Many policies now include reputation management as part of their coverage. This often includes:


  • Hiring Public Relations (PR firms) to manage crisis communication, create statements, and mitigate any potential damage to your business's reputation.
  • Guidance on how to communicate with affected customers and stakeholders to maintain transparency.


Third-Party Liability Coverage


Third-party liability coverage helps protect your business from claims made by external parties (such as customers, vendors, or partners) who are affected by your cyber incident. When a breach or attack impacts those outside your company, this coverage steps in to defend you financially and legally.


Privacy Liability


This coverage protects your business if sensitive customer data is lost, stolen, or exposed in a breach. It typically includes:


  • Coverage for legal costs if you're sued for mishandling personal data.
  • It may also cover costs if a third party suffers losses due to your data breach.


Regulatory Defence


  • Cyber incidents often come under the scrutiny of regulatory bodies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or other industry-specific regulators. If your business is investigated or fined for violating data protection laws, regulatory defence coverage can help with:
  • Coverage may help pay for fines or penalties imposed by a regulator for non-compliance.
  • Mitigating the costs of defending your business against regulatory actions, which can be considerable.


Media Liability


If your business is involved in a cyberattack that results in online defamation, copyright infringement, or the exposure of sensitive content (such as trade secrets), media liability coverage helps protect you. It covers:


  • Defamation Claims - If a data breach leads to defamatory statements or online reputational damage, this policy helps cover the legal costs of defending the claims.
  • Infringement Cases - If a cyberattack leads to intellectual property violations, media liability coverage provides the financial resources to address infringement claims.


Defence and Settlement Costs


If your company is sued following a data breach or cyberattack, third-party liability coverage can help cover legal defence costs. This can include:


  • Paying for attorney fees in a data breach lawsuit.
  • Covering settlement or judgment costs if your company is found liable.


Optional Riders and Custom Coverage


Cyber insurance policies often allow businesses to add extra coverage based on their specific needs or threats. These optional riders can offer more tailored protection for unique risks your business might face.


Social Engineering Fraud


One of the most common types of cyber fraud today is social engineering fraud, which involves phishing attacks or other deceptive tactics designed to trick employees into revealing sensitive information, transferring funds, or giving access to internal systems.


Social engineering fraud coverage helps protect against:


  • Financial losses if an employee is tricked by a phishing scam.
  • Financial losses through fraudulent transfers by attackers.


Hardware "Bricking"


Some cyberattacks cause physical damage to business devices, rendering them useless, a scenario known as "bricking." This rider covers the costs associated with replacing or repairing devices that have been permanently damaged by a cyberattack.


Technology Errors and Omissions (E&O)


This type of coverage is especially important for technology service providers, such as IT firms or software developers. Technology E&O protects businesses against claims resulting from errors or failures in the technology they provide.


What Cyber Insurance Often Doesn't Cover


Understanding what's excluded from a cyber insurance policy is just as important as knowing what's included. Here are common gaps that small business owners often miss, leaving them exposed to certain risks.


Negligence and Poor Cyber Hygiene


Many insurance policies have strict clauses regarding the state of your business's cybersecurity. If your company fails to implement basic cybersecurity practices, such as using firewalls, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), or keeping software up-to-date, your claim could be denied.


Pro Tip: Insurers increasingly require proof of good cyber hygiene before issuing a policy. Be prepared to show that you've conducted employee training, vulnerability testing, and other proactive security measures.


Known or Ongoing Incidents


Cyber insurance doesn't cover cyber incidents that were already in progress before your policy was activated. For example, if a data breach or attack began before your coverage started, the insurer won't pay for damages related to those events. Likewise, if you knew about a vulnerability but failed to fix it, your insurer could deny the claim.


Pro Tip: Always ensure your systems are secure before purchasing insurance, and immediately address any known vulnerabilities.


Acts of War or State-Sponsored Attacks


In the wake of high-profile cyberattacks like the NotPetya ransomware incident, many insurers now include a "war exclusion" clause. This means that if a cyberattack is attributed to a nation-state or government-backed actors, your policy might not cover the damage. Such attacks are often considered acts of war, outside the scope of commercial cyber insurance.


Pro Tip: Stay informed about such clauses and be sure to check your policy's terms.


Insider Threats


Cyber insurance typically doesn't cover malicious actions taken by your own employees or contractors unless your policy specifically includes "insider threat" protection. This can be a significant blind spot, as internal actors often cause severe damage.


Pro Tip: If you're concerned about potential insider threats, discuss specific coverage options with your broker to ensure your policy includes protections against intentional damage from insiders.


Reputational Harm or Future Lost Business


While many cyber insurance policies may offer PR crisis management services, they usually don't cover the long-term reputational damage or future business losses that can result from a cyberattack. The fallout from a breach, such as lost customers or declining sales due to trust issues, often falls outside the realm of coverage.


Pro Tip: If your business is especially concerned about brand reputation, consider investing in additional coverage or crisis management services. Reputational harm can have far-reaching consequences that extend well beyond the immediate financial losses of an attack.


How to Choose the Right Cyber Insurance Policy


Assess Your Business Risk


Start by evaluating your exposure:


  • What types of data do you store? Customer, financial, and health data, all require different levels of protection.
  • How reliant are you on digital tools or cloud platforms? If your business is heavily dependent on technology, you may need more extensive coverage for system failures or data breaches.
  • Do third-party vendors have access to your systems? Vendors can be a potential weak point. Ensure they're covered under your policy as well.


Your answers will highlight the areas that need the most protection.


Reputational Harm or Future Lost Business


Ask the Right Questions


Before signing a policy, ask:


  • Does this cover ransomware and social engineering fraud? These are growing threats that many businesses face, so it's crucial to have specific coverage for these attacks.
  • Are legal fees and regulatory penalties included? If your business faces a legal battle or must pay fines for a breach, you'll want coverage for these costly expenses.
  • What's excluded and when? Understand the fine print to avoid surprises if you file a claim.


Get a Second Opinion


Don't go it alone. Work with a cybersecurity expert or broker who understands both the technical and legal aspects of cyber risk. They'll help you navigate the complexities of the policy language and identify any gaps in coverage. Having a pro on your side can ensure you're adequately protected and help you make the best decision for your business.


Consider the Coverage Limits and Deductibles


Cyber insurance policies come with specific coverage limits and deductibles. Ensure that the coverage limit aligns with your business's potential risks. For example, if a data breach could cost your business millions, make sure your policy limit reflects that. Similarly, check the deductible amounts, these are the costs you'll pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Choose a deductible that your business can afford in case of an incident.


Review Policy Renewal Terms and Adjustments


Cyber risk is constantly evolving. A policy that covers you today may not cover emerging threats tomorrow. Check the terms for policy renewal and adjustments. Does your insurer offer periodic reviews to ensure your coverage stays relevant? Ensure you can adjust your coverage limits and terms as your business grows and as cyber threats evolve. It's important that your policy evolves with your business needs.


Cyber insurance is a smart move for any small business. But only if you understand what you're buying. Knowing the difference between what's covered and what's not could mean the difference between a smooth recovery and a total shutdown.


Take the time to assess your risks, read the fine print, and ask the right questions. Combine insurance coverage with strong cybersecurity practices, and you'll be well-equipped to handle whatever the digital world throws your way.



Do you want help decoding your policy or implementing best practices like MFA and risk assessments? Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward a more secure future.

Let's Talk Tech

More from our blog

The Server Refresh Deadline: Why Windows Server 2016’s End of Support Should Drive Your Cloud Migration Plan

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 20 February 2026
Time moves fast in the world of technology, and operating systems that once felt cutting-edge are becoming obsolete. With Microsoft having set the deadline for Windows Server 2016 End of Support to January 12, 2027 , the clock is ticking for businesses that use this operating system. Once support ends, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or patches, leaving your business systems vulnerable. It’s not just about missing new features, continuing to use unsupported software significantly increases the risk of cyberattacks. If your systems are still on Windows Server 2016, now is the time to plan your upgrade. With about a year until support ends, waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed decisions and higher costs. Understanding the Security Implications When support ends, the protection provided by security updates and patches disappears, as Microsoft will no longer fix bugs or vulnerabilities. Hackers often target unsupported systems, knowing any new exploits will go unpatched and open the door to attacks. Legacy systems put IT administrators in a tough spot. Without vendor support, defending against threats becomes nearly impossible, compliance with industry regulations is compromised, and running unsupported software can lead to failed audits. Additionally, customer data on servers running this operating system is vulnerable to theft and ransomware. The cost of a breach far outweighs the cost of upgrading. Using unsupported systems is like driving a faulty, uninsured car, failure is inevitable. The question isn’t if it will happen, but when. The Case for Cloud Migration With the end-of-support deadline approaching, businesses face a choice: purchase new physical servers that run the latest Windows Server editions, or migrate their infrastructure to the cloud. Investing in new hardware and software comes with substantial upfront costs and locks you into that capacity for five years, the typical span of mainstream support for Windows Server , plus an additional five years for Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) releases. On the other hand, a cloud migration strategy offers a more flexible alternative. Platforms such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon’s AWS cloud services, allow you to select virtualised computing resources such as servers and storage, which can scale as needed. On these platforms, you only pay for what you use, transforming your IT spending from capital expenditure to operating expense. The cloud provides greater reliability and disaster recovery, eliminating concerns about hard drive failures in your server rack. Cloud providers handle the management and upgrades of the physical infrastructure, freeing your IT team to focus on driving business growth. Analyse Your Current Workloads Before moving to the cloud, it’s essential to know what you’re working with. Take inventory of all applications running on your Windows Server 2016 machines. While some are cloud-ready, others may need updates or reconfiguration. Identify which workloads are critical to your daily operations and prioritise them in your migration plan. You may also discover applications you no longer need, making this an ideal time to streamline and clean up your environment. When in doubt, consult with your software vendors to confirm compatibility, as they might have specific requirements for newer operating systems. Gathering this information early helps you to avoid surprises during the actual migration. Create a Phased Migration Plan When transitioning to a new system, moving everything at once is risky, ‘big bang’ migrations often cause downtime and confusion. The best approach is a phased migration to manage risk effectively. Begin with low-impact workloads to test the process, then proceed to medium and high-impact workloads once you’re confident everything runs smoothly. Set a realistic timeline that beats the server upgrade deadline by a significant margin, and then work backward from the end-of-support date. This approach allows for plenty of buffer time for testing and troubleshooting, since rushing migrations often results in mistakes and security gaps. Communicate the schedule to your staff clearly, they need to know when maintenance windows will occur, so that they can also manage their workflows effectively. Managing expectations is just as important as managing servers, and you don’t want to get in your own way. A smooth transition requires everyone to be informed and on the same page. Test and Validate Once you migrate a workload, it’s essential to verify that it functions as expected. Key questions to ask include: Does the application launch correctly? Can users access their data without permission errors? Testing is the most critical phase of any migration. After migration, run extensive performance benchmarks to compare the new system with the old one. The cloud should offer equal or better speed, and if things are slow, you might need to adjust resources. Optimisation will be a normal part of the migration process, until you find the perfect balance that works for you. The summarised steps for a successful migration include: Audit all current hardware and software assets Choose between an on-premise upgrade or a cloud migration Back up all data securely before making changes Test applications thoroughly in the new environment Do not declare victory until users confirm everything is working. The Cost of Doing Nothing Ignoring the end of support deadline is not a viable strategy. Some businesses hope to delay until the last minute and then rush a migration, but this is extremely risky. Cybercriminals constantly target outdated, vulnerable systems, often using automated bots to scan for weaknesses. If you continue using Windows Server 2016 past the extended support dates, you may need to purchase 'Extended Security Updates.' While Microsoft offers this service, it is extremely costly, and the price rises each year, making it more a penalty for delay than a sustainable long-term solution. Act Now to Modernise Your Infrastructure If your business still relies on Windows Server 2016, the end of support marks a pivotal moment for your IT strategy, upgrading your technology stack is no longer optional. Whether you choose new hardware or a cloud solution, decisive action is required. Take this opportunity to enhance your legacy system’s security and efficiency, ensuring your modern business runs on a modern infrastructure. Don’t let time compromise your data’s safety, plan your migration today and safeguard your future.  Concerned about the approaching Windows Server 2016 end-of-support deadline? We specialise in smooth migrations to the cloud and modern server environments. Let us take care of the technical heavy lifting, contact us today to begin your upgrade plan.

The MFA Level-Up: Why SMS Codes Are No Longer Enough (and What to Use Instead)

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 16 February 2026
For years, enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) has been a cornerstone of account and device security. While MFA remains essential, the threat landscape has evolved, making some older methods less effective. The most common form of MFA, four- or six-digit codes sent via SMS, is convenient and familiar, and it’s certainly better than relying on passwords alone. However, SMS is an outdated technology, and cybercriminals have developed reliable ways to bypass it. For organisations handling sensitive data, SMS-based MFA is no longer sufficient. It’s time to adopt the next generation of phishing-resistant MFA to stay ahead of today’s attackers. SMS was never intended to serve as a secure authentication channel. Its reliance on cellular networks exposes it to security flaws, particularly in telecommunication protocols such as Signaling System No. 7 (SS7), used for communication between networks. Attackers know that many businesses still use SMS for MFA, which makes them appealing targets. For instance, hackers can exploit SS7 vulnerabilities to intercept text messages without touching your phone. Techniques such as eavesdropping, message redirection, and message injection can be carried out within the carrier network or during over-the-air transmission. SMS codes are also vulnerable to phishing. If a user enters their username, password, and SMS code on a fake login page, attackers can capture all three in real time and immediately gain access the legitimate account. Understanding SIM Swapping Attacks One of the most dangerous threats to SMS-based security is the SIM swap. In SIM swapping attacks, a criminal contacts your mobile carrier pretending to be you and claims to have lost their phone. They then request the support staff to port your number to a new blank SIM card in their possession. If they succeed, your phone goes offline, allowing them to receive all calls and SMS messages, including MFA codes for banking and email. Without knowing your password, they can quickly reset credentials and gain full access to your accounts. This attack doesn’t depend on advanced hacking skills; instead, it exploits social engineering tactics against mobile carrier support staff, making it a low-tech method with high‑impact consequences. Why Phishing-Resistant MFA Is the New Gold Standard To prevent these attacks, it’s essential to remove the human element from authentication by using phishing-resistant MFA. This approach relies on secure cryptographic protocols that tie login attempts to specific domains. One of the more prominent standards used for such authentication is Fast Identity Online 2 (FIDO2) open standard, that uses passkeys created using public key cryptography linking a specific device to a domain. Even if a user is tricked into clicking a phishing link, their authenticator application will not release the credentials because the domain does not match the specific record. The technology is also passwordless, which removes the threat of phishing attacks that capture credentials and one-time passwords (OTPs). Hackers are forced to target the endpoint device itself, which is far more difficult than deceiving users. Implementing Hardware Security Keys Perhaps one of the strongest phishing-resistant authentication solutions involves hardware security keys. Hardware security keys are physical devices resembling a USB drive, which can be plugged into a computer or tapped against a mobile device. To log in, you simply insert the key into the computer or touch a button, and the key performs a cryptographic handshake with the service. This method is quite secure since there are no codes to type, and attackers can’t steal your key over the internet. Unless they physically steal the key from you, they cannot access your account. Mobile Authentication Apps and Push Notifications If physical keys are not feasible for your business, mobile authenticator apps such as Microsoft or Google Authenticator are a step up from SMS MFA. These apps generate codes locally on the device, eliminating the risk of SIM swapping or SMS interception since the codes are not sent over a cellular network. Simple push notifications also carry risks. For example, attackers may flood a user’s phone with repeated login approval requests, causing “ MFA fatigue,” where a frustrated or confused user taps “approve” just to stop the notifications. Modern authenticator apps address this with “number matching,” requiring the user to enter a number shown on their login screen into the app. This ensures the person approving the login is physically present at their computer. Passkeys: The Future of Authentication With passwords being routinely compromised, modern systems are embracing passkeys, which are digital credentials stored on a device and protected by biometrics such as fingerprint or Face ID. Passkeys are phishing-resistant and can be synchronised across your ecosystem, such as iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager. They offer the security of a hardware key with the convenience of a device that you already carry. Passkeys reduce the workload for IT support, as there are no passwords to store, reset, or manage. They simplify the user experience while strengthening security. Balancing Security With User Experience Moving away from SMS-based MFA requires a cultural shift. Since users are already used to the universality and convenience of text messages, the introduction of physical keys and authenticator apps can trigger resistance. It’s important to explain the reasoning behind the change, highlighting the realities of SIM-swapping attacks and the value of the protected information. When users understand the risks, they are more likely to embrace the new measures. While a phased rollout can help ease the transition for the general user base, phishing-resistant MFA should be mandatory for privileged accounts. Administrators and executives must not rely on SMS-based MFA. The Costs of Inaction Sticking with legacy MFA techniques is a ticking time bomb that gives a false sense of security. While it may satisfy compliance requirements, it leaves systems vulnerable to attacks and breaches, which can be both costly and embarrassing. Upgrading your authentication methods offers one of the highest returns on investment in cybersecurity. The cost of hardware keys or management software is minimal compared to the expense of incident response and data recovery. Is your business ready to move beyond passwords and text codes? We specialise in deploying modern identity solutions that keep your data safe without frustrating your team. Reach out, and we’ll help you implement a secure and user-friendly authentication strategy.

The “Deepfake CEO” Scam Why Voice Cloning Is the New Business Email Compromise (BEC)

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 9 February 2026
The phone rings, and it’s your boss. The voice is unmistakable; with the same flow and tone you’ve come to expect. They’re asking for a favour: an urgent bank transfer to lock in a new vendor contract, or sensitive client information that’s strictly confidential. Everything about the call feels normal, and your trust kicks in immediately. It’s hard to say no to your boss, and so you begin to act. What if this isn’t really your boss on the other end? What if every inflection, every word you think you recognise has been perfectly mimicked by a cybercriminal? In seconds, a routine call could turn into a costly mistake; money gone, data compromised, and consequences that ripple far beyond the office. What was once the stuff of science fiction is now a real threat for businesses. Cybercriminals have moved beyond poorly written phishing emails to sophisticated AI voice cloning scams, signalling a new and alarming evolution in corporate fraud. How AI Voice Cloning Scams Are Changing the Threat Landscape We have spent years learning how to spot suspicious emails by looking for misspelled domains, odd grammar, and unsolicited attachments. Yet we haven’t trained our ears to question the voices of people we know, and that’s exactly what AI voice cloning scams exploit. Attackers only need a few seconds of audio to replicate a person’s voice, and they can easily acquire this from press releases, news interviews, presentations, and social media posts. Once they obtain the voice samples, attackers use widely available AI tools to create models capable of saying anything they type. The barrier to entry for these attacks is surprisingly low. AI tools have proliferated in recent years, covering applications from text and audio, to video creation and coding. A scammer doesn’t need to be a programming expert to impersonate your CEO, they only need a recording and a script. The Evolution of Business Email Compromise Traditionally, business email compromise (BEC) involved compromising a legitimate email account through techniques like phishing and spoofing a domain to trick employees into sending money or confidential information. BEC scams relied heavily on text-based deception, which could be easily countered using email and spam filters. While these attacks are still prevalent, they are becoming harder to pull off as email filters improve. Voice cloning, however, lowers your guard by adding a touch of urgency and trust that emails cannot match. While you can sit back and check email headers and a sender’s IP address before responding, when your boss is on the phone sounding stressed, your immediate instinct is to help. “Vishing” (voice phishing) uses AI voice cloning to bypass the various technical safeguards built around email and even voice-based verification systems. Attackers target the human element directly by creating high-pressure situations where the victim feels they must act fast to save the day. Why Does It Work? Voice cloning scams succeed because they manipulate organisational hierarchies and social norms. Most employees are conditioned to say “yes” to leadership, and few feel they can challenge a direct request from a senior executive. Attackers take advantage of this, often making calls right before weekends or holidays to increase pressure and reduce the victim’s ability to verify the request. More importantly, the technology can convincingly replicate emotional cues such as anger, desperation, or fatigue. It is this emotional manipulation that disrupts logical thinking. Challenges in Audio Deepfake Detection Detecting a fake voice is far more difficult than spotting a fraudulent email. Few tools currently exist for real-time audio deepfake detection, and human ears are unreliable, as the brain often fills in gaps to make sense of what we hear. That said, there are some common tell-tale signs, such as the voice sounding slightly robotic or having digital artifacts when saying complex words. Other subtle signs you can listen for include unnatural breathing patterns, weird background noise, or personal cues such as how a particular person greets you. Depending on human detection is an unreliable approach, as technological improvements will eventually eliminate these detectable flaws. Instead, procedural checks should be implemented to verify authenticity. Why Cybersecurity Awareness Training Must Evolve Many corporate training programs remain outdated, focusing primarily on password hygiene and link checking. Modern cybersecurity awareness must also address emerging threats like AI. Employees need to understand how easily caller IDs can be spoofed and that a familiar voice is no longer a guarantee of identity. Modern IT security training should include policies and simulations for vishing attacks to test how staff respond under pressure. These trainings should be mandatory for all employees with access to sensitive data, including finance teams, IT administrators, HR professionals, and executive assistants. Establishing Verification Protocols The best defence against voice cloning is a strict verification protocol. Establish a “zero trust” policy for voice-based requests involving money or data. If a request comes in by phone, it must be verified through a secondary channel. For example, if the CEO calls requesting a bank transfer, the employee should hang up and call the CEO back on their internal line or send a message via an encrypted messaging app like Teams or Slack to confirm. Some companies are also implementing challenge-response phrases and “safe words” known only by specific personnel. If the caller cannot provide or respond to the phrase, the request is immediately declined. The Future of Identity Verification We are entering an era where digital identity is fluid. As AI voice cloning scams evolve, we may see a renewed emphasis on in-person verification for high-value transactions and the adoption of cryptographic signatures for voice communications. Until technology catches up, a strong verification process is your best defence. Slow down transaction approvals, as scammers rely on speed and panic. Introducing deliberate pauses and verification steps disrupts their workflow. Securing Your Organisation Against Synthetic Threats The threat of deepfakes extends beyond financial loss. It can lead to reputational damage, stock price volatility, and legal liability. A recording of a CEO making offensive comments could go viral before the company can prove it is a fake. Organisations need a crisis communication plan that specifically addresses deepfakes since voice phishing is just the beginning. As AI tools become multimodal, we will likely see real-time video deepfakes joining these voice scams, and you will need to know how to prove that a recording is false to the press and public. Waiting until an incident occurs means you will already be too late. Does your organisation have the right protocols to stop a deepfake attack? We help businesses assess their vulnerabilities and build resilient verification processes that protect their assets without slowing down operations. Contact us today to secure your communications against the next generation of fraud.