Understanding the Effects of Cyber Crime on Employees
In today’s digital age, cyber threats are a reality that businesses can’t afford to ignore. That’s especially true for small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are often most vulnerable. Beyond the technological and financial fallout of cyber incidents, these events can have a lasting psychological impact on the people tasked with responding to them.
To help businesses manage through this, Travelers has launched a Cyber Post-Claim Wellbeing Service. This support offering is designed to address the mental health needs of people involved in cyber incident response. Included in every cyber insurance policy from Travelers at no additional cost, this service offers confidential, specialist mental health support through HelloSelf, a third-party provider of psychological and wellbeing services. The service is available to up to four employees from an insured organisation’s cyber response team, following the first notification of loss.
How cyberattacks impact employee wellbeing
According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, half of UK businesses experienced a cyber incident or data breach in the previous year. The tangible costs of cyberattacks are well known, but the psychological effects – including stress, anxiety, anger, reduced productivity and low morale – are only beginning to be understood. As a result, the impacts can often be underestimated or overlooked.
In addition to posing significant financial and technological challenges to a business, cybersecurity breaches generate human challenges that can be difficult to overcome without support. Through our new wellbeing service, Travelers can help businesses treat emotional health with the same urgency as system restoration or data recovery.
Matthew Waller, Head of Cyber from Travelers Europe
How the Cyber Post-Claim Wellbeing Service works
Through the Cyber Post-Claim Wellbeing Service, eligible employees will receive:
- An initial six sessions with a qualified HelloSelf clinician – via secure video or telephone.
- Access to additional sessions, subject to approval by Travelers, based on clinical recommendations.
- A range of expert support from cognitive behavioural therapists, counselling psychologists or clinical psychologists, tailored to the person’s needs.
Most importantly, the service is confidential. Neither Travelers nor the employer will know who accesses the service – and using it has no impact on the cyber claim itself.
Eligible employees can begin accessing HelloSelf support shortly after notifying Travelers of their loss. HelloSelf will guide them to the right care, ensuring they receive the necessary help – whether it’s to manage a pressing crisis or lingering stress.
A proactive step for a healthier response team
As cyber incidents become more frequent and complex, businesses have to not only protect their systems but also care for the people behind them. Protecting employee wellbeing is simply an extension of an organisation’s cyber risk management strategy.
To learn more about the latest enhancements to Travelers Europe’s Cyber insurance, get in touch with our team today.
Our service is about recognising the unseen toll that cyber events can take on people on the frontlines of cyber incident response. By providing a safe space for employees to process their experiences following a cyberattack, we can mitigate the emotional impact of such events. Businesses with healthy, resilient teams are in a far stronger position to resume smooth operations after a cyber incident.
Matthew Waller, Head of Cyber from Travelers Europe
This information is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not, and it is not intended to, provide legal, technical or other professional advice, nor does it amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy issued by Travelers. Travelers does not warrant that adherence to, or compliance with, any recommendations, best practices, checklists, or guidelines will result in a particular outcome. Furthermore, laws, regulations, standards, guidance and codes may change from time to time and you should always refer to the most current requirements and take specific advice when dealing with specific situations. In no event will Travelers be liable in tort, contract or otherwise to anyone who has access to or uses this information.
Travelers operates through several underwriting entities in the UK and Europe. Please consult your policy documentation or visit the websites below for full information.
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