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The “Internet of Things” (IoT) is a revolution with the potential to improve industrial and business efficiency, customer satisfaction, and company profitability. But with new technologies come unfamiliar business risks — risks that must be managed and mitigated. 

The IoT consists of a wide variety of data collecting and control sensors that are connected to the internet. These include thermometers, cameras, GPS devices, security devices, sensors and a host of other “smart” devices. The applications for IoT in business are rapidly expanding. 

 

IoT Risks

As valuable as IoT systems are, they are also vulnerable. When a device is hacked or fails, there’s usually a business — and sometimes a human — cost to pay. Just a few examples are:

  • Cyber security breach — IoT systems may use sensitive data or control important functions — such as a computer network, an electrical grid or online retail shopping system. Hackers target and breach these with the intention of stealing data — often disrupting business for days and opening the company up for legal action. 
  • Product loss — Incorrect temperature data might mean that perishable goods are spoiled, which creates financial harm and possible injury to customer relationships. 
  • Manufacturing defects — An IoT error could lead to production glitches which often take some time to detect. If substandard products or parts end up in the marketplace, it can subject both the parts and the product manufacturers to financial and legal exposure.
  • Property damages — An alarm or sprinkler system malfunction can result in damage to business facilities and content losses.
  • Human cost — Bad data in the medical sector can have disastrous patient privacy or even mortality consequences. An IoT failure or hack can open a healthcare system to onerous liabilities as well as to long-lasting reputational damage. 



How to Manage Your IoT Risks

  1. Treat IoT devices as you would any other network attached piece of hardware. Conduct regular tests to verify the security of the equipment. And remember that IoT devices could be the weak entry point into your wider network. 

    factory worker with robotic arm

  2. Get risk advice from your broker. An IoT project may present completely new and unfamiliar types of risks to your business. A qualified insurance representative will be familiar with the particulars of what threats to look for.

  3. Update your business insurance to cover IoT risks. Consider all the risks an IoT project presents, and establish what may not be covered by existing policies. For example, even if you already have cyber coverage it may not be sufficient to mitigate many of the risks you identify.
This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only, and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice.

Chubb is the marketing name used to refer to subsidiaries of Chubb Limited providing insurance and related services. For a list of these subsidiaries, please visit our website at  www.chubb.com. Insurance provided by Chubb Insurance Company of Canada or Chubb Life Insurance Company of Canada (collectively, “Chubb Canada”). All products may not be available in all provinces or territories. This communication contains product summaries only. Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. 

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