Cyber basics in a connected world

Increased connectivity subjects society to cyber vulnerabilities in even the most mundane activities. (Photo: Shutterstock)

What is cyber and why does it matter to insurers? In many ways, cyber is anything computer-based; any object with computer programming and coding that performs a series of actions based on commands can be considered cyber. Spreadsheets calculate mathematical equations; word processing documents obey formatting commands and check spelling and grammar. Cellphones work as telephones but also as calculators, cameras, timers, video games, can access the internet and perform a variety of other functions.