10 areas businesses should address to mitigate professional lines risks in an evolving world

From cybersecurity exposures and ransomware attacks to M&A volatility and securities litigation, a variety of evolving risks are affecting the management and professional liability market as the economy adapts in response to COVID-19.

The Professional Lines Risk Matrix featuring 10 potential exposures affecting the professional lines market.

The Risk Matrix, produced by the editorial team at Risk & Insurance®, plots 10 areas that businesses should address to mitigate professional lines-related risks, based on frequency and severity.

One pandemic-era risk trend that continues to affect markets is the rise of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Morgan Stanley reported that last quarter saw 1,250 M&A deals globally, totaling more than $1 trillion. Contributing to the economic landscape are special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), businesses expressly created to take other companies public and avoid the traditional IPO process. With SPACs, there can be a conflict of interest, with one party trying to close the deal quickly and the other party focused on price. This conflict is leading to more litigation under federal security laws.

In 2021 so far, 68.5 percent of businesses have already been victimized by ransomware, according to Statista. And with more than 300,000 new pieces of malware created daily, now is the time for boards of directors to address cyber risk needs. And for good reason: cyber risks are about more than private data; they imperil core operational functions and strategic objectives. It’s never too early to get the board invested in cyber risk management.

Severe weather events can push systems to their limit. When those systems fail, businesses and municipalities may be liable for claims relating to property damage, business interruption, and even loss of life. Directors and officers could be held liable if they fail to prepare for severe weather, much like we saw when historic Winter Storm Uri left portions of Texas without heat or power for a week.  Government and municipalities can mitigate potential directors and officers (D&O) exposures by conducting their due diligence. Taking actions like staying up to date on climate data, evaluating and upgrading their current capacities against system failure, and having a continuity plan for emergencies can help organizations reduce their risk and keep the public safe.

The threat of ransomware attacks is becoming more common—in 2021 so far, 68.5 percent of businesses have already been victimized by some type of attack. Digital connectivity is unavoidable for businesses as more turn to computers and online systems to get the job done. The inability to protect sensitive data could leave organizations in both legal and financial jeopardy and goes beyond just cyber exposure. For example, when a ransomware attack occurs at a healthcare facility, both patients and hospital operations can be impacted, resulting in medical malpractice, product liability, and billing errors and other regulatory liability concerns.

For more than a year, businesses across sectors pivoted to new functions and capabilities to keep up with the rapidly evolving economic landscape. While many pandemic-related restrictions are being lifted, the post-COVID-19 world poses a new set of risks that organizations will need to address. Whether companies are welcoming employees back to the office, entering into new vendor partnerships, or evaluating their geographic footprints, it’s important for them to do their due diligence and assess the potential exposures.

Businesses are committing to environmental and social governance (ESG) more than ever before, because consumers are looking to engage with corporations that take into account their impact on society at large. How a company treats its employees, addresses top-tier societal issues, and responds to current events can have a significant effect on overall performance. But if a company fails to follow through on its promises, it can expose itself to a variety of risks—loss of shareholders, employees, reputation, and revenue can stem from poor ESG performance.

With 2020 going down in history as the “year of COVID-19,” D&O inquiries and related claims continue to be at the forefront of many organizations’ minds. Pandemic-driven macro-economic conditions have disrupted revenue and cashflow, resulting in debt covenant triggers and bankruptcy filings. Boards should be prepared for potential litigation arising out of such actions, and claims made against management alleging misconduct and/or negligence in the performance of fiduciary duties are predicted to rise.

In response to economic instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. A key part of that act was the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, a low-interest loan backed by the Small Business Association (SBA) that would help businesses cover payroll and other operational expenses. As of May 31 2021, the SBA has given out more than $800 billion in PPP loans. And while most PPP recipients used their loans to stay afloat and support their workforce, some business owners used that money inappropriately. Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is beginning to look more closely at how these funds were being used. A business under investigation may look to its D&O insurance policy for support—but it doesn’t necessarily provide coverage in fraud-related government investigations.

Reporting from late last year shows the extent to which COVID-19 impacted the U.S. unemployment rate: by Q4, one in 10 U.S. organizations were looking at laying off workers to offset some of the financial losses wrought by the pandemic. With layoffs and furloughs reaching unprecedented highs, businesses should be prepared to address subsequent employment-related claims alleging discrimination, wrongful termination, and more brought against management.

Courtrooms are facing a new reality, with virtual litigation affecting events from arbitrations and depositions to bench trials and summary jury trials. Courts have also experienced a slowdown in securities-related lawsuits since the beginning of the pandemic, but there could be a rise in COVID-19-related securities litigation on the horizon. Why? From the nature of the stock market to stricter SEC regulations, there are several factors that may lead to an influx of COVID-19-related securities lawsuits and D&O claims in the future.