It’s been around for a while, but could new products in the “cyber-insurance” market help companies focus on this emerging threat known as “information risk”?

The National Journal reports that for many companies online security is not a priority. Tom Risen’s article cites to a Verizon study conducted between 2004 and 2008 (pdf) that determined

75 percent of breaches were not discovered by the victimized organization, and that 87 percent could have been prevented with reasonable online protection.

Mr. Risen reports that historically cyber-insurance covered “hazards such as unauthorized Web site access, online libel, data privacy loss and repairs to company databases after system failures.” However, with the explosion of data breaches over the last 10 years or so, new, broader policies have emerged, covering costs related to responding to a data breach, such as sending notices, providing credit monitoring services, engaging legal counsel, employing a call center, and defense of claims by affected individuals and federal and state officials. Some companies in this space include Beazley, Chartis, Travelers, Chubb and others.

It may be, as Robert Parisi of Marsh suggested to Mr. Risen, that federal legislation might encourage more awareness of these issues, something we raised as well. Certainly, we are beginning to see greater attention to these issues as businesses are beginning to focus on the Massachusetts data security/identity theft regulations, which become effective March 1, 2010.

Whatever the driving force, businesses need to drill down on their data security needs and address their information risk. Preventive measures – in the form of a written information security program – are certainly necessary and appropriate. But it may not be enough. As anyone who drives knows, for example, it is not enough to drive carefully and wear a seat belt. Insurance can play a critical role in addressing risks that even the best safeguards can’t. For this reason, cyber-insurance should be considered as a part of any business’ comprehensive approach to information risk.