Francesca is a claims manager at Gruppo Spada SpA and, now, a cyber insurance specialist. She is also an active member of the Italian Insurtech Association – a union of professionals committed to applying innovative technologies to the Italian insurance sector.
Q: How did you get into the cyber insurance industry?
A: I started out as a Claims Manager in my family’s business, Gruppo Spada SpA, in 2020. We are a team of loss adjusters, working with almost every major Italian insurer. Ever since joining, I have been keen to ensure that we remain competitive in the fast-changing environment in which we operate. As both a family and a company, we explored the latest industry trends and quickly identified cyber insurance as a key area for us to specialize in.
Q: What brought you to the Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) course?
A: I extensively researched the most efficient ways to hit the ground running in the cyber insurance sector and, in particular, I looked into comprehensive professional courses which could provide a strong foundation in this field. The CCIS course seemed to be a perfect fit for me, both in terms of the topics covered and its course structure.
Q: What cyber trends from the past few years have taken you by surprise?
A: The effect of Covid-19 on cyber security has been astounding, especially the ways in which criminals have exploited vulnerabilities in new tools developed as a result of the pandemic to strike and generate substantial illicit profit.
Q: What doors have been opened for you as a result of the course?
A: The CCIS course gave me a solid foundation on which to handle cyber claims with confidence. It, therefore, has represented a significant commercial opportunity not only for me as a professional but also for my company in general, as we are now well equipped to answer the influx of cyber claims in the Italian insurance market.
Q: What do you think the CCIS course has to offer that other courses do not?
A: Undoubtedly, its structure. The 24/7 availability of the Academy allowed me to follow lessons as and when I had time and so it did not affect my working schedule, as other courses do. Moreover, the course’s support team has always been exceptionally helpful whenever needed.
Q: Where do you see the Cyber Insurance market in the next 3 years?
A: I anticipate that cyber insurance professionals will become subject to intensive regulation as knowledge within the field increases. In addition, I expect a general growth in awareness of the need for cyber policies – particularly for small-medium-sized businesses. All in all, I am optimistic about this industry. I am filled with excitement to watch the market evolve and to remain up to date on its developments through the Cyber Insurance Academy.
Want to find out how the Cyber Insurance Academy can help progress your career? Read about our courses here.