Howden Re’s Gruen: Threat intelligence role driving actionable cyber insights for (re)insurers

Howden Re’s newly launched Cyber Watch report series offers a unique approach to threat intelligence, providing insights tailored specifically to the (re)insurance industry, according to director of cyber threat intelligence Harriet Gruen.

Speaking at the broker’s Cyber Reinsurance Summit, held at Ascot Racecourse, Gruen emphasised the distinctiveness of her role, which she took up last July after joining Howden Re from Axis.

"It's really exciting to build out a threat intelligence proposition that's relevant for cyber insurance carriers,” she told The Insurer TV.

“Unlike traditional cybersecurity outputs, our reports translate technical data into insights that are actionable for insurance clients.”

Launched last year, Cyber Watch offers two strategic reports annually, mapping threat information directly to industry exposure databases.

Gruen explained: "We're striving to connect threat data with insurance exposure, helping clients understand how events impact their portfolios. This approach is unique and invaluable for managing risk."

Additionally, the reports include post-event analysis, focusing on significant systemic events rather than overwhelming clients with every cyber incident.

"If an event meets certain thresholds, we provide alerts and detailed insights into the exposure for clients," Gruen noted.

As one of the moderators of a panel at the client-focused summit, Gruen explored systemic risk through a creative lens, asking: "Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?"

She went on to explain that this question frames the industry's shift from focusing solely on large-scale events to recognising the clustering of smaller, impactful incidents.

Looking ahead, Gruen identified emerging threats such as the exploitation of cloud environments and shifting attacker strategies.

"Attackers are increasingly targeting identity and trust, bypassing traditional security measures. Understanding these shifts is crucial for the industry," she added.

With ransomware still prevalent and concentration risks within technology dependencies rising, Gruen emphasised the insurance sector's growing expertise and investment in cyber threat analysis, positioning it well to tackle evolving challenges.

The next Cyber Watch report, slated for August, promises to deliver critical insights, ensuring clients remain informed and prepared ahead of inevitable cyberattacks.

Watch the 7-minute video interview with Howden Re’s Harriet Gruen to hear more on: