Zurich Launches Personal Cyber Insurance: A Game-Changer in Cyber Prevention and Protection

 

Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) (“Zurich”) is pleased to announce the launch of CyberSide, a groundbreaking personal cyber insurance solution that seamlessly integrates prevention and protection to safeguard individuals and families against the rising threats of cybercrime. CyberSide symbolizes our commitment to standing side by side with our customer, offering them extra peace of mind in navigating the complexities of the digital landscape, and protecting them against a variety of cyber threats.

Navigating the growing landscape of cyber threats

 

According to the Global Risks Report 2025, developed by the World Economic Forum, “cyber espionage and warfare” risk was ranked one of the top five risks for the next two years¹. 

Recent statistics from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre reveal a significant increase in cyber-related crimes. In 2024, Hong Kong recorded 44,480 cases of deception, marking an 11.7% rise compared to 2023. Alarmingly, 61.8% of these cases were Internet-related, highlighting the urgent need for robust cyber defenses². Additionally, 3,031 cases of blackmail were reported, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with a substantial number stemming from “naked chat” scams³.

Zurich has consistently been at the forefront of the cyber insurance market. As new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, evolve rapidly, the challenges posed by online threats become increasingly complex. With our extensive expertise in providing cyber protection for corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises, we are dedicated to bridging the gap in personal cyber protection. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of our customers, combining cutting-edge prevention measures with comprehensive insurance coverage.

Comprehensive family protection for children and the elderlies

 

CyberSide provides comprehensive family coverage, so your loved ones—including children and the elderlies—can be protected under a single policy. Children are covered at no additional cost and can share the coverage limit with their insured parents, making it both an economical and secure choice.

Policyholders can benefit from complimentary access to our Cyber Concierge Hotline Service and Zurich Cyber Security App for up to 10 devices with their family members, which include proactive prevention tools such as secure VPN services and Wi-Fi scanning. These features enhance online safety and privacy, enabling customers to predict and prevent potential losses before they occur.

In addition to its prevention features, CyberSide offers comprehensive protection against a wide array of cyber threats, including fraud, extortion, social engineering, and identity theft. The policy also covers follow-up costs for system and data restoration, counseling for victims of cyberbullying, and legal defense expenses related to malicious cyber activities, ensuring that customers receive comprehensive support in the event of cyber incidents.

Jim Qin, Chief Executive Officer of General Insurance at Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), stated: " We anticipate strong growth in the cyber insurance market against the backdrop of rising costs associated with cyberattacks and intensifying cybersecurity risks. The Asia/Oceania market size was estimated at USD 0.9 billion in gross written premium in 2023 and is projected to more than double by 2027⁴. Despite this growth, we have observed a significant protection gap, with many cyber risks remaining underinsured or even uninsured. The emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, further exacerbates the challenging cybersecurity environment. To address this protection gap, we believe our CyberSide offering can enhance customers’ cyber resilience and help manage their cyber risks through a unique combination of prevention and protection. As technology continues to evolve, we will adopt a dynamic approach to refine our products, ensuring that our coverage remains aligned with the ever-changing market landscape.”

First line of defense: Preventive measures supported by our Cyber Security App

 

Secure VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection over less secure networks, making it essential for protecting your data—especially when using public Wi-Fi, which is highly susceptible to hackers. These hackers can easily access sensitive information, including credit card details, bank account information, social media passwords, email logins, and even home addresses. VPNs offer robust security features to protect the privacy of customers’ online activities. Additionally, customers can select from a global network of servers to find the region that best suits their needs.

Identity Protection
With the rise of digital penetration, identity theft has become increasingly prevalent, making it essential to safeguard personal identities and sensitive information. If criminals obtain details such as names, addresses, or dates of birth, it can lead to serious financial difficulties and compromised credit scores. To combat these threats, we offer 24/7 real-time monitoring, scanning the Dark Web and hacker forums. In the event of data exposure, immediate alerts are sent to customers' mobile devices and emails, enabling proactive measures to re-secure their information. Additionally, a specialized support team is available via a dedicated hotline to assist with any data breach incident.

Wi-Fi Scan
A Wi-Fi scanner helps customers assess the security levels of nearby wireless networks, enabling them to find safe connections in public places like cafes and libraries. It indicates the security strength of network's signal, guiding customers to reliable internet access. Additionally, the scanner can detect unknown networks that may pose security risks, ensuring that they connect only to safe and trusted networks.

Second line of defense: Comprehensive protection against cyber threats

 

Social Engineering Fraud
Scammers frequently impersonate sellers on e-commerce platforms, utilizing payment tools to deceive customers. They send messages containing hyperlinks to fake websites that resemble official bank sites. When victims enter their bank details, scammers gain unauthorized access to their accounts and transfer funds. 

CyberSide provides coverage for losses resulting from such social engineering scams, with a maximum limit of HKD 5,000 per insured per incident^.

Cyber Fraud and Restoration
Criminal organizations are creating counterfeit online shopping pages to promote seemingly legitimate offers related to food, travel, and charter services. These fraudulent entities use tactics to lure individuals into downloading unofficial mobile applications that contain malicious Trojan programs. This deceptive approach allows them to gain unauthorized access to victims' mobile devices, compromising sensitive information, including online banking credentials and security passwords. As a result, fraudsters can execute unauthorized transactions and withdraw funds from victims' bank accounts without detection.

CyberSide covers losses from cyber fraud due to hacking of personal accounts, credit/debit cards, or digital wallets via malicious codes received through SMS, downloads, or file transfers, with coverage up to HKD 5,000 per incident. The plan also includes investigation and remediation costs after a cyberattack, such as data restoration and malware removal, up to HKD 10,000 per incident^.

Extortion Protection
Sextortion crime groups primarily employ tactics such as masquerading as the opposite sex, engaging with victims on social media platforms, and sending nude photos to entice victims to reciprocate with their own private images. They may also encourage victims to initiate video calls, capturing intimate footage. Once successful, these criminals use the material to extort money, threatening to expose the images publicly or implying dire consequences if the victim does not comply.

In Hong Kong, there were 2,434 cases of "naked chat" reported last year, an increase of 317 cases (+15%) compared to 2023, with students making up the largest group of victims⁵.

CyberSide supports customers facing cyber extortion, covering extortion payments in various forms up to HKD 20,000 per incident. Additionally, the plan covers ongoing monitoring and mental health counseling expenses directly arising from a cyberbullying act, for up to HKD 10,000 per incident^.

We offer 30% first-year premium discount from today until July 31, 2025. Enrol now with promo code "CBS30" to enjoy the discount. Terms and conditions apply.

For more details and to explore the benefits of CyberSide, please visit our product page here.

Zurich's CyberSide Personal Cyber Insurance is innovatively designed to empower individuals and families to navigate the digital landscape safely and confidently. With its unique combination of preventive measures alongside comprehensive coverage for cyber extortion and related expenses, CyberSide stands out as a vital tool in the fight against ever-evolving cyber risks.