Cyber risk in 2026 is accelerating as AI reshapes fraud and cybercrime. In this episode of the Cyber Insurance News and Information Podcast, host Martin Hinton speaks with Jason Makevich, founder and CEO of Greenlight Cyber and founder of PORT1. They outline what SMB leaders and MSPs should expect from deepfakes, scaled ransomware tactics, and third-party exposure.

Jason shares a proof-first mindset for modern trust. He explains practical controls that reduce loss without huge spending. The conversation also connects incident reporting and better data intelligence to the pressure on cyber insurance underwriting.

If you track cyber risk in 2026, this episode offers clear steps you can apply this week.

Find Jason

Greenlight Cyber

PORT1

Liminal

Takeaways

• Cybersecurity is essential for small and medium-sizedbusinesses.
• AI is transforming the cybersecurity landscape, but it alsoposes new risks.
• Organizations must take proactive steps to mitigate cyberrisks.
• Data governance is crucial when using AI tools.
• Supply chain risks are a significant concern incybersecurity.
• Legislation is evolving to address cybersecurity challenges.
• Cybercrime is increasingly organized and sophisticated.
• Trust but verify is no longer sufficient; don't trust atall.
• The majority of organizations are not adequately protectedagainst cyber threats.
• A major cybersecurity incident is likely to occur in thenear future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and MSPs

03:00 The Evolution of Cybersecurity Needs

05:52 The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity

08:47 Understanding Cyber Risk and Leadership

11:36 The Role of History in Cybersecurity

14:56 The Scale of Cybercrime and Its Consequences

17:38 Mandatory Reporting and Cybercrime Awareness

20:39 The Responsibility of Businesses in Cybersecurity

23:51 The Misconception of Cybersecurity Risks

26:26 Supply Chain and Third-Party Risks

29:16 The Need for Secure Design in Technology

32:25 The Human Element in Cybersecurity

35:32 Conclusion and Future Outlook

41:14 Understanding Cyber Crime Today

45:31 The Geopolitical Landscape of Cyber Crime

49:29 The Rise of Deepfakes and Trust Issues

53:37 Trust but Verify: A New Approach to Security

58:37 Basic Security Practices for Small Businesses

01:01:46 Finding the Right Cybersecurity Partner

01:06:42 AI Governance and Data Security

01:15:45 Predictions

The Cyber Insurance Market is still maturing. Underwriters want verified controls, consistent security data, and clearer signals of resilience. In this episode of The Cyber Insurance News Podcast, host Martin Hinton speaks with Max Perkins, Head of Insurance Solutions at Spektrum Labs.

Perkins explains why cyber insurance applications overwhelm many businesses, why attestations fall apart at claim time, and why data validation matters for underwriting.

They also dig into today’s threat landscape, including social engineering and ransomware pressure, plus what Perkins expects next on pricing, talent movement, and control verification. If you buy, sell, or underwrite cyber coverage, this episode delivers practical guidance you can use before renewal.

Find Max here

Find Spektrum Labs here

The Dell Technologies article we discuss

Takeaways

• Cyber resilience is essential for organizations of all sizes.
• Standardized data is crucial for effective underwriting in cyber insurance.
• Small businesses often misunderstand the complexities of cyber insurance policies.
• The threat landscape is evolving, with social engineering becoming more prevalent.
• Verification of security measures is key to building trust with underwriters.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cyber Insurance and Spectrum Labs

02:04 Max Perkins' Journey in Cyber Insurance

09:27 The Current State of Cyber Insurance

14:56 Challenges in the Cyber Insurance Application Process

21:33 Understanding Cyber Insurance for Small Businesses

26:25 The Role of Underwriters in Cyber Insurance

31:14 The Importance of Data Validation

37:05 The Evolving Threat Landscape

56:05 Predictions and Myths in Cyber Insurance

In this episode, Martin Hinton speaks with Kelly Miller from FTI Consulting about the intricacies of cyber incident response and the critical role of communication during crises. They discuss the importance of establishing processes, understanding stakeholder dynamics, and the human element in crisis management.

Kelly emphasizes the need for transparency, effective internal communication, and the value of preparedness through tabletop exercises. The conversation highlights common mistakes organizations make during incidents and the significance of crafting consistent messages while navigating legal and media relations.

Takeaways

• Communication is a risk control, not just PR.
• Over-promising can lead to loss of trust.
• Establishing processes is crucial in the first hour.
• Trust is foundational in crisis management.
• Preparedness can save money in the long run.
• Words matter, especially in legal contexts.
• Transparency is key to maintaining trust.
• Internal communication must be disciplined.
• Recovery narratives should reassure customers.
• Tabletop exercises help build muscle memory.

"The worst thing is over-promising."

"Over-promising sets the wrong tone."

"Transparency is crucial for trust."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cyber Incident Response

02:52 The First Moments of a Cyber Breach

05:39 The Importance of Communication in Crisis

09:06 Establishing Effective Processes

12:02 Understanding Stakeholder Dynamics

14:59 The Human Element in Crisis Management

17:57 Mapping Stakeholders and Key Messages

20:53 Legal and Insurance Considerations

23:58 Navigating Media Communications

26:45 The Role of Internal Communications

29:46 Maintaining Message Discipline

32:47 Recovery and Future Preparedness

34:18 Crafting a Recovery Narrative

38:28 The Importance of Practice and Preparation

46:30 Tabletop Exercises: The Scrimmage of Crisis Management

56:42 Words Matter: The Impact of Language in Crisis Communication

Cyber liability insurance now sits at the heart of SME risk management. In this episode of the Cyber Insurance News & Information Podcast, executive editor Martin Hinton talks with Cowbell co-founder and COO Trent Cooksley about how small and mid-sized businesses can prepare for today’s cyber threats.

They dig into business email compromise, ransomware, incident response, and the true cost of a serious cyber incident. Cooksley explains why many SMEs still underestimate their exposure and how cyber liability insurance supports faster recovery, expert incident handling, and stronger security controls.

You’ll hear real-world insights on:

• Why business email compromise remains a leading cyber threat for SMEs

• How ransomware incidents can shut down operations and damage cash flow

• The role of cyber liability insurance in funding response, forensics, and restoration

• How AI is changing both cyber attacks and cyber defense

• What brokers and business owners should know before placing SME cyber coverage

🎙 Guest: Trent Cooksley, COO and Co-Founder, Cowbell
🎙 Host: Martin Hinton, Executive Editor, Cyber Insurance News & Information Podcast

If you work with SMEs as a broker, underwriter, or business owner, this episode will help you rethink cyber risk and cyber liability insurance as a core business protection, not just an add-on.

AI in cybersecurity gets hyped every day, but not all “AI” is built for threat detection. In this Cyber Insurance News & Information Podcast clip, Graylog CMO Kimber Spradlin joins host Martin Hinton to break down the real difference between LLMs and classic machine learning in security operations.

Spradlin explains why LLMs make great user interfaces, but security teams still need mathematical, testable models to spot risky behavior at scale. She uses a simple example: repeated password failures from one user can either be sleepy typing… or the first signal of an attack. How you treat that signal depends on the math behind your detection.

If you care about AI in cybersecurity, alert fatigue, and how security analysts really work with data, this conversation gives you a clear, non-hyped view from the front lines.

Get the whole episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OFmNWbYovHexPT5ynBjPO?si=629DjdtoTzWTs_TM5M4vFw

Cybersecurity communication works best when real people understand the message.
In this episode of the Cyber Insurance News & Information Podcast, host Martin Hinton talks with Kimber Spradlin, Chief Marketing Officer at Graylog, about how clear language and better logging cut cyber risk.

Spradlin explains how Graylog normalizes log data, so teams reduce alert noise and see real incidents. She links this work to compliance, investigations and the growing demands of cyber insurance underwriters.

The conversation covers:

• Why cybersecurity communication must reach every employee, not only the SOC

• How log management supports audits, retention rules, and insurer expectations

• The fundamental role of AI in detection versus marketing hype

• MFA, identity, patching, and everyday cyber hygiene

• Digital literacy, deepfakes, and teaching people to spot scams

• How to frame cyber risk in business terms that boards understand

If you work in cybersecurity, cyber insurance, IT leadership, or communications, this episode gives practical ideas to sharpen your cybersecurity communication and build a stronger security culture.

Follow the show for more conversations on cyber insurance, cybersecurity, resilience, and real-world incidents.

Find Kimber Spradlin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberspradlin/

The cyber insurance market looks competitive and even soft, but that picture may not last.

In this episode of the Cyber Insurance News & Information podcast, Executive Editor and host Martin Hinton talks with Peter Foster, Chairman of Willis’ Global FINEX Cyber Solutions. They examine how vendor concentration, ransomware, AI and data privacy are reshaping the cyber insurance market for boards, CISOs and business owners.

In this conversation, Peter Foster explains:
– Why systemic third-party and vendor failures remain the nightmare scenario for the cyber insurance market
– How ransomware, privacy claims and tracking pixels are driving cyber liability insurance losses
– Why many boards feel confident, but claims data shows big gaps in readiness
– How AI introduces new exposure across cyber, tech E&O and professional liability
– What small and mid-sized firms really face when they get hit and lack deep resources
– What underwriters now expect to see at renewal: drills, staffing, controls and clear governance

If you work in risk, security, broking or on a board, this episode offers a direct view into how the cyber insurance market is evolving and what questions you should ask before your next renewal.

Find Peter here

Find Willis here

Read our article featuring Peter here

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cyber Insurance and Systemic Risks

02:39 The Disconnect Between Perceived and Actual Readiness

05:22 Impact of Systemic Events on Cyber Insurance Pricing

07:56 Understanding Third-Party Risks and Single Points ofFailure

10:54 The Confidence Gap in Cyber Insurance

13:29 The Role of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in CyberInsurance

16:18 CISO Burnout and Governance Changes

19:17 Investment in Cybersecurity and Board Involvement

22:00 Renewal Questions and Changes in Cyber Insurance

26:06 The Importance of Data Collection and Privacy

31:15 Navigating AI Risks in Insurance

38:29 Ransomware Payments: Ethical Dilemmas and LegalImplications

43:09 The Future of the Cyber Insurance Market

AI Risk is accelerating — and the insurance industry is at risk of repeating its biggest mistake.

In this episode of the Cyber Insurance News & Information Podcast, Executive Editor and Host Martin Hinton sits down with Erin Kenneally, founder of Elchemy and a leading expert on AI governance, cybersecurity risk modeling, and technology policy.

They explore the emerging fault lines in AI Risk; from silent exposures and coverage ambiguity to unpriced liabilities and third-party dependencies. Kenneally draws a direct parallel between today’s AI-driven risks and the ransomware crises that once upended the cyber insurance market.

⁠Martin Hinton⁠ is Executive Editor of ⁠Cyber Insurance News & Information⁠, covering the intersection of digital risk, underwriting innovation, and emerging technology.

Follow the show for expert interviews, actionable takeaways, and the latest thinking in AI Risk, cyber insurance, and regulatory evolution.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why AI Risk mirrors ransomware’s early trajectory

• The blind spots in cyber and Tech E&O coverage

• How to identify AI operational failure triggers

• The role of prompt injection, data poisoning, and agentic AI in loss scenarios

• Why insurers must move toward scenario-based coverage models

• How small businesses can use AI performance warranties for affordable risk protection

• • What regulators — and especially the EU AI Act — mean for policy language.

  
  

  There;s lots in there - AI Risk, AI insurance, cyber insurance, AI liability, Tech E&O, AI governance, model drift, prompt injection, training data poisoning, ransomware lessons, scenario-based coverage, underwriting innovation, EU AI Act, AI regulation, cyber risk management, privacy, ethics in AI