Covid-19: Increase in cyber ransomware attacks in the United States

The sectors mainly effected by these attacks are: manufacturing (+156%), financial services and healthcare. These two latter sectors account for 50% of phishing cases.

According to Beazley, this increase in cyberattacks during the peak of the pandemic is mainly due to the reduced vigilance of the American population following the anxiety generated by the health situation.

In addition, the poor level of IT security for individuals is also a factor that further aggravated the risks.

Cyberattacks: Aon's statistics and forecasts

Aon considers that ransomware is the main cause of the increase in the cyber crime in 2020 in the United States.

The broker's 2019 statistics show a 10% increase in the total cost of ransomware attacks. The average cost of a cyber claim drops by 3.36% to 48 709 US in 2019.

Cyberattacks: the US cyber risk market

In 2019, the turnover of the American cyber risk market increased by 11% and reached 2.26 billion USD.

The top ten insurers underwrite 69% of the premiums mainly collected from small businesses. The preferences of these companies go towards ransom covers.