Why cyber insurance matters for nurseries

Cybercriminals are ruthless. Whether you’re a global corporation or a local care facility, they don’t discriminate. Worryingly, children’s nurseries, places most of us seek to nurture and protect, are increasingly in their sights. Hackers will stop at nothing to steal sensitive data, and this is a stark reminder that cyber security isn’t just for big businesses. It’s essential for organisations of every size.

Recent reports revealed that a hacking group ironically going by the name ‘Radiant’ stole photographs and private data from thousands of nursery children and their families across the UK, US and India.

Carolyn Baker-Mellor, Trading Director at Everywhen, explains why nurseries need to take this threat seriously:

“The increasing sophistication of cybercriminals means that nurseries and any organisation responsible for children needs to be extra vigilant and ensure they have comprehensive[MS1]  cyber insurance in place.

Cyber insurance can be a crucial safety net, covering data restoration costs, business interruption, and even providing pre-incident support to help organisations strengthen their defences. For nurseries, that reassurance is vital. It’s about protecting not only data, but the children and families in their care.”

If a nursery falls victim to hackers, the first step is to alert its IT team or provider so they can lock down systems and prevent further breaches. The incident should also be reported to the local police, and any possible data breaches recorded.

If the nursery has cyber insurance, they should contact their broker or insurer immediately to discuss next steps and raise a claim.

Here are some practical steps nurseries can take to protect their data:

• Introduce multi-factor authentication

• Create firewalls and limit personal information stored on one system

• Stay alert to evolving cyber threats

• Train staff to recognise the signs of cybercrime

Carolyn Baker-Mellor concludes:

“Nurseries should be particularly vigilant and be sure to check that their insurance cover is up to speed with cybercrime. They need the safety net of knowing that it will come to their rescue if they are unfortunate enough to fall victim to hackers.”

Despite cybercrime quickly evolving, with the right cover, nurseries can stay one step ahead. At Everywhen, we’re here to help you protect your nursery, your data and the families who trust you.

Talk to us today about cyber insurance and make sure you’re protected.

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.