William Kemp, CCIS graduate and underwriter at NIBA, reflects on his experience during the Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) designation. His journey began as a claims consultant, where his strong problem-solving abilities and passion for team development quickly led him to the world of cyber insurance and cyber underwriting. 

Translating Cyber Risk into Action

As Kemp settled into his role in cyber underwriting, the CCIS played a pivotal role in deepening his technical understanding and industry knowledge. “The CCIS course has a great variety of chapters to appeal to students in different career paths,” he notes. For him, the chapters on Cyber Security and Cyber Defense were particularly impactful. “They helped me develop a strong understanding of how to improve a business’s cyber defense,” Kemp explains. 

Addressing Poor Penetration Rates with Better Underwriter-Broker Communication

As a cyber underwriter, Kemp’s enhanced expertise due to the CCIS enables him to communicate more effectively with brokers, clearly articulating the steps their clients should take to strengthen their cyber risk posture. “The biggest win for me following on from the course has been educating my broking partners on how to explain to their SME clients where their risk falls,” he shares. By applying what he learned about cyber defense methods and common vulnerabilities, Kemp has been able to bridge the gap between technical risk and real-world business needs.

Learning Never Stops in Cyber Underwriting

For Kemp, the CCIS designation was just the beginning of a journey of continuous learning in cyber underwriting. Recognizing the fast-moving nature of cyber insurance, he has adopted a proactive approach to staying current. “Staying vigilant is a big part of keeping up in the fast-paced world that is Cyber Insurance,” he explains. 

All in all, investing in specialised knowledge not only deepens technical understanding but also adds real value and builds stronger relationships with brokers and clients alike.