As cyber risks become more complex and harder to communicate through generic advice, CFC has expanded its Cyber Masterclass programme to include a module focused on industry-specific exposures.
The update reflects a broader challenge facing brokers: while cyber risk is universal, its impact varies significantly by sector, making it more difficult to demonstrate relevance - particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
CFC’s new “Cyber for Industries” module examines how cyber incidents can affect sectors including healthcare, construction, retail and hospitality, manufacturing, education, the public sector, and professional services. The company said the approach is designed to align with how brokers already assess risk in the context of a client’s operations.
“Brokers tell us they understand cyber is a risk for every client, but where they often struggle is explaining how that risk actually plays out across different industries,” CFC’s Luke Maher said.
“By focusing on industry-specific threats and real-world scenarios, we’re giving brokers the tools and confidence to have more relevant, targeted cyber conversations.”
CFC launched the Cyber Masterclass in May 2025 as a free, on-demand training series for brokers. The programme is CPD-accredited in Australia and New Zealand, and the company said more than 6,000 brokers have signed up to date.
CFC’s expansion comes amid wider industry efforts to improve cyber risk understanding and increase insurance uptake, particularly among SMEs, where protection gaps remain significant.
Cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly, with ransomware, phishing, and supply chain attacks among the most common risks facing businesses. Many incidents exploit sector-specific vulnerabilities, reinforcing the need for more tailored risk advice.
Similarly, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has emphasised the importance of sector-focused guidance, particularly for critical infrastructure and public sector organisations.
Within insurance, carriers and brokers are increasingly investing in education and risk advisory tools.
Industry bodies are also active in this area. The Chartered Insurance Institute and Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance both offer cyber-related training and qualifications as part of broader efforts to build expertise across the broker community.
Despite these initiatives, uptake of cyber insurance remains uneven. According to data from Marsh McLennan, penetration is significantly lower among smaller businesses, often due to cost concerns and a lack of understanding of the risk.
Against this backdrop, more targeted, sector-specific education is becoming a key focus for insurers and intermediaries looking to close the protection gap and improve client engagement.
