Case Study: How a Cyber Attack Could Impact Your Small Business (and How Insurance Helps)
- epiainsurance
- 22 minutes ago
- 2 min read
💼 Meet Michelle — a Business Owner Just Like You
Michelle runs a boutique digital marketing agency in Los Angeles. Like many women entrepreneurs, she wears every hat: founder, strategist, bookkeeper, client manager. Business was going well — until one Tuesday morning when she opened her laptop and found something terrifying:
“All of your files have been encrypted. Pay $9,000 in Bitcoin within 72 hours, or they’re gone forever.”
Michelle had just been hit with ransomware.
🚨 What Happened Next?
In a panic, Michelle called her freelance IT contractor — but he couldn’t fix it. Her website was down, her client contracts were inaccessible, and invoices were frozen. She couldn’t complete projects or bill anyone.
Worse?
Her clients’ data — including passwords and payment details — were possibly exposed. Now she was responsible for telling them. And she had no idea how.
By the end of the week, Michelle had lost over $15,000 in business and was facing possible legal action. All from one email opened by a junior employee.
💡 How Cyber Insurance Could Have Helped
If Michelle had cyber insurance, here’s how her story could have gone differently:
✅ 1. Immediate Response Team
She could’ve called a 24/7 hotline and gotten experts to isolate the malware, recover her files, and restore her systems — fast.
✅ 2. Legal & Notification Support
Cyber insurance would’ve covered the cost of notifying affected clients, providing credit monitoring services, and handling legal communications.
✅ 3. Business Interruption Coverage
Michelle would’ve received reimbursement for lost income during the shutdown — instead of draining her savings to stay afloat.
✅ 4. Reputation Management
A professional PR partner (included in many policies) could’ve helped protect her brand image and client trust during the crisis.
💸 But Isn’t Cyber Insurance Expensive?
Not at all.
Most small businesses pay under $100/month for strong, tailored cyber coverage — a fraction of what a breach can cost in lost revenue, lawsuits, and reputational damage.
When you consider that the average cost of a cyberattack for small businesses is $120,000, it’s one of the most affordable ways to protect your future.
👩💼 This Is a Story You Can Avoid
Michelle’s story is all too common — but completely preventable. As a woman building your own empire, you deserve peace of mind and proactive protection.
At EPIA, we make it easy.
No tech jargon. No confusing fine print. Just clear guidance, bilingual support, and policies designed for California-based women entrepreneurs like you.
📞 Ready to Take the Next Step?
We offer free consultations to assess your risks and help you find the right protection — fast, friendly, and fully transparent.
🔐 You focus on growing your business. Let us focus on guarding it.
—
EPIA Insurance Agency Inc.Experience is the ultimate protection.Serving California business owners since 1992.
🔍 Resources:
U.S. SBA Cybersecurity Guide for Small Businesses: sba.gov/cybersecurity
CNBC Small Business Ransomware Study: cnbc.com
Data from Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Report
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