Cyber insurance now hinges on identity security

Security Brief United Kingdom reports that cyber insurance is undergoing a fundamental shift, with providers now directly tying policy costs and terms to the strength of an organization's identity and access management protocols.

New research from Delinea reveals that 97% of UK organizations report their premiums or coverage conditions are influenced by identity controls, with Privileged Access Management being the most critical factor. This heightened scrutiny comes amid a difficult market: 70% of firms saw premiums rise in the past year, and 72% filed a claim, often for incidents involving compromised privileged accounts. Insurers are responding with strict requirements, and nearly half of the organizations stated that failure to meet these security standards could void their policy entirely.

Conversely, the adoption of artificial intelligence in security defenses is becoming a positive differentiator, with 86% of respondents receiving premium discounts for AI-powered threat detection and monitoring. According to Art Gilliland, CEO of Delinea, the message is clear: robust identity security is no longer just a best practice but a mandatory underwriting requirement for obtaining affordable cyber insurance coverage.