Broadcasting
Cyber Defenses and Cyber Insurance: A Holistic Approach to Cyber Risk Management
By: Chester Wisniewski, Director Global Field CTO
The landscape of cyber threats has significantly expanded in terms of volume, complexity, and impact of attacks over the past few years. Consequently, regardless of their size, industry, or geographic location, the vast majority of companies prioritize protection against these threats and primarily strive to implement robust cyber defense measures to counteract them.
However, given the difficulty of preventing and anticipating all current and future forms of threats, especially the methods attackers use to bypass defenses and introduce ransomware into a system, organizations worldwide also tend to adopt cyber insurance policies to safeguard their operations in the event of a successful intrusion. According to a study conducted in early 2023, 91% of global companies have some form of cyber insurance.”
If 47% of companies declare having subscribed to an independent insurance policy, and 43% have opted for insurance integrated into broader coverage, independent and integrated cyber policies are the two main types in the market. It is crucial for companies to choose coverage that aligns with their specific needs and risks, ensuring the best possible protection for their data and operations.
Before subscribing to insurance, conducting an audit of existing solutions is essential, questioning whether they benefit from top-notch first-line cybersecurity protection. Indeed, this can impact their access to cyber insurance and the selection of a policy that best suits their particular needs.
The quality of cyber defenses significantly influences corporate coverage. First-line cybersecurity measures can notably affect the adoption and choice of a cyber insurance policy for companies. According to the aforementioned study, 95% of respondents specifically cite that the quality of implemented cyber defenses has a direct impact on the insurance they subscribe to, affecting both the cost and terms of the policy, ensuring access to the coverage that suits them best.”
“According to the study, 60% of organizations with cyber insurance state that the quality of their existing defenses influenced their ability to secure coverage. Furthermore, 62% mention its impact on the policy’s cost, and 28% note its effect on insurance contract terms. Ensuring the most comprehensive and robust protection layer is essential to save money and select insurance that best meets the business’s requirements.
Interestingly, cybersecurity measures play a more significant role in obtaining independent cyber insurance compared to integrated coverage. 71% of those with independent policies note that the quality of their protection influenced their coverage, while only 49% of those with integrated policies believe it impacted their ability to contract cyber insurance. Conversely, the performance of security measures has a greater influence on the cost of integrated policies (67%) than independent insurance (58%).
Therefore, companies should prioritize assessing the effectiveness and robustness of their cybersecurity solutions before seeking cyber insurance tailored to their needs. This approach enables them to select the most appropriate policy and negotiate favorable costs and terms.”
“The importance of cyber insurance in protecting against ransomware
The primary threat facing businesses today has a name: ransomware. This type of malicious software, designed to encrypt and steal organizational data, followed by a ransom demand, has become the top concern for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in recent years.
Given that its introduction into a system can result from highly varied, often unpredictable, and constantly evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP), it is impossible to guarantee that a company will not experience a successful intrusion. Hence, it is crucial for organizations to have, in addition to traditional cybersecurity solutions, a tailored cyber insurance policy that allows them to protect against data encryption, theft, or deletion.
In the event of data encryption, companies with the support and assistance of their insurer during the data recovery process, and those who, to qualify for insurance, have implemented enhanced security measures such as secure backups or incident response plans, are more likely to recover their encrypted data. According to the study, 98% of those with independent cyber insurance successfully restored their encrypted data, compared to 97% for those with integrated coverage, and only 84% for those without insurance.
It’s worth highlighting that beneficiaries of cyber insurance are more inclined to pay the ransom to retrieve their data. Thus, 58% of independent policyholders who fell victim.
“In conclusion, while cyber insurance is now an essential element of business protection, it is inseparable from the quality of solutions and security measures taken to safeguard information systems and organizational data. It is crucial for global stakeholders, regardless of their industry, to ensure they have the most comprehensive, robust, and effective first-line protection to best guard against ransomware attacks and all other types of threats.
It’s also noteworthy that some managed cybersecurity solution providers offer complementary insurance guarantees in the event of a successful attack to further strengthen business protection. These aspects only reinforce the quasi-symbiotic relationship between cyber insurance and cybersecurity solutions.”
A Federal High Court in Lagos has restrained the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from sanctioning or punishing broadcast stations and presenters over the expression of personal opinions, alleged bullying of guests, or failure to maintain neutrality on air.
NBC
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the interim injunction following an ex parte application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
The court specifically restrained the NBC, its officers, agents and affiliated persons from enforcing its recently issued “Formal Notice” or imposing sanctions, fines or penalties on broadcasters based on provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
SERAP and NGE had approached the court to challenge what they described as an arbitrary and unlawful move by the commission to punish broadcasters for allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts, bullying or intimidating guests, or failing to maintain neutrality during programmes.
The groups also asked the court to determine whether the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code relied upon by NBC were inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
The suit followed an April statement by the NBC in which it raised concerns over what it described as increasing violations of the broadcasting code across news, current affairs and political programmes.
The commission had warned that presenters who expressed personal opinions as facts or bullied guests during live broadcasts would be sanctioned.
However, Justice Osiagor, in his ruling, held that pending the hearing of the substantive matter, the commission must refrain from using the formal notice to threaten, sanction or punish broadcast organisations and on-air personalities under the contested code provisions.
The matter was adjourned until June 1, 2026, for hearing of the motion on notice.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Metro Digital Limited before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over alleged cybercrime and unlawful interception and rebroadcast of content belonging to Multichoice Nigeria.
Metro Digital
The company was arraigned before Justice A.T. Mohammed on an amended four-count charge bordering on cybercrime-related offences and alleged illegal rebroadcast of protected broadcast content.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the prosecution counsel, Steve E. Odiase, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment.
However, defence counsel, S.A. Somairi (SAN), reportedly attempted to halt the proceedings by drawing the court’s attention to a pending preliminary objection.
The judge, however, declined the request and ordered that the plea be taken in line with Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which allows a corporation to enter a plea in writing through its representative.
One of the charges alleged that Metro Digital Limited, alongside its Managing Director, Ifeanyi John Nwafor, and a staff member, Ikenna Kanu, both said to be at large, conspired between 2015 and 2019 to unlawfully intercept and rebroadcast protected broadcast signals in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
Another charge alleged that the defendants intentionally and without authorisation intercepted and rebroadcast broadcast signals and devices, including tiger boxes and dongles, over which Multichoice Nigeria holds exclusive rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The anti-graft agency said investigations into the matter began in 2019 after Multichoice petitioned the commission, alleging that the illegal rebroadcast of its content caused significant financial losses.
Metro Digital Limited, through its representative, pleaded not guilty to all four charges.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel prayed the court to fix a date for trial.
Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned the case until June 29 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of trial.
ipNX, one of Nigeria’s telecommunications and connectivity providers, successfully powered the Queen Esther Musical, presented by the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), reinforcing its role as a key enabler of innovation across industries through reliable, high-speed connectivity.
Held at Guiding Light Assembly, Parkview, Ikoyi recently, the Queen Esther Musical delivered a captivating blend of music, drama, and visual storytelling to a packed audience. Behind the scenes, ipNX’s advanced fiber-optic infrastructure played a critical role in ensuring seamless execution, supporting the production’s extensive technical requirements, from synchronized audiovisual systems to real-time digital enhancements that enriched the overall experience for the audience within the auditorium and on digital platforms.
As sophisticated technology integrates into live performances, the demand for stable, high-capacity bandwidth to deliver this experience to online audiences has become essential. ipNX provided technical support, delivering uninterrupted connectivity that enabled production teams to coordinate effectively and execute a technically complex show without disruption. The event served as a powerful demonstration of how telecommunications infrastructure can elevate creative expression and redefine audience engagement.
“Our involvement in the Queen Esther Musical reflects our commitment to powering experiences that matter,” said Akintunde Taiwo, Head of Sales, ipNX Retail. “This production broadcast required precision, speed, and reliability, all of which our network is designed to deliver. Beyond telecoms, we see ourselves as partners in progress across sectors, and this collaboration with SPAN highlights how our solutions can seamlessly support the creative industry just as effectively as we do small enterprises and critical services.”
For SPAN, the partnership translated into a production that fully leveraged technology to enhance storytelling and audience immersion.
“We were proud to collaborate with ipNX on the Queen Esther Musical,” said Sarah Boulous, Founder of SPAN. “The scale and ambition of this production required a technology partner we could rely on completely as we wanted audience to enjoy seamless streaming on the Zaia app. ipNX delivered exceptional bandwidth and stability, allowing us to integrate digital elements seamlessly and create a truly memorable experience. Their support played a significant role in bringing our creative vision to life.”
The Queen Esther Musical not only entertained but also illustrated the growing intersection between technology and the arts in Nigeria. ipNX’s role in powering the event highlights its broader mission to connect people, ideas, and industries and ensure that innovation is supported by infrastructure capable of meeting modern demands.
By bridging connectivity and creativity, ipNX continues to demonstrate that its impact extends far beyond traditional telecommunications, positioning the company as a trusted partner in shaping experiences across Nigeria’s evolving economic and cultural landscape.
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