8 May 2026
Cyber risk in the life sciences sector is rising faster than almost any other industry. With sensitive clinical data, valuable IP, interconnected lab systems, and global supply chains, even a single cyber incident can trigger multimillion‑pound losses.
Yet many organisations still rely on cyber insurance limits that were set years ago - limits that may no longer reflect today’s threat landscape or the true cost of disruption. Under‑insurance can be one of the biggest silent risks facing the sector. Ransomware attacks can halt research programmes, corrupt lab results, delay trials, and compromise regulatory submissions. Business interruption costs alone can exceed the policy limit, leaving the organisation to absorb the remainder.
Why traditional limit‑setting falls short
Most companies still estimate their cyber limit using broad benchmarks or generic market norms. The problem is simple: life sciences risk is not generic. It is shaped by:
The value and sensitivity of research data
Reliance on automated lab systems and digital workflows
Complex supplier networks and CRO dependencies
Regulatory exposure across multiple jurisdictions
High‑value intellectual property that is attractive to threat actors
A one‑size‑fits‑all approach rarely provides an accurate picture of potential financial loss.
How Verlingue’s review might change the game
Verlingue uses a specialist external partner with a unique cyber‑risk modelling tool, to provide a far more precise and evidence‑based assessment of your required limit of indemnity. Instead of relying on assumptions, this tool provides a report containing data on various areas such as key metrics on:
Financial losses
Industry metrics
Tailor-made security solution improvements
Vulnerability scans
Types of threats the business faces
A breakdown on the potential financial losses across a typical claims scenario
The result is a tailored, data‑driven view of your potential loss - and a clear recommendation on the cyber insurance limit that is actually required. It gives boards confidence, supports budget decisions, and ensures your cover aligns with the real risk profile of a modern life sciences organisation.
Cyber Insurance Limit Review Checklist
Understand your exposure
Map critical systems, lab technologies, and data assets
Identify key suppliers, CROs, and digital dependencies
Assess potential impact
Consider business interruption costs if lab operations stop
Evaluate the financial value of IP and research data
Factor in regulatory, notification, and recovery costs
Review your current cover
Check whether your existing limit reflects today’s risks.
Confirm coverage for ransomware, data restoration, supply‑chain incidents, extortion and cyber crime
Use evidence‑based modelling
Undertake a Verlingue cyber review using the cyber risk modelling tool
Compare modelled loss scenarios with your current limit
Make an informed decision
Adjust your limit to match realistic financial exposure
Present findings to the board with clear, data‑driven justification
This material is provided for general information purposes only and, any modelling outputs or loss estimates are illustrative and based on assumptions that may not reflect all circumstances. Insurance coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions and limits of the policy.
