Claims service that gets to the heart of what’s at risk
Case study: Accelerated recovery after ransomware attack
Industry: Media & Publishing (US)
Challenge: Ransomware attack via third-party vendor credentials
The Incident
A major U.S. publisher fell victim to a ransomware attack when a third-party vendor’s credentials were compromised. The attacker encrypted the company’s data, halting operations. The client contacted an external vendor - prior to notifying QBE - who assessed that 100% of the data was encrypted and estimated a month-long recovery process.
The QBE difference
Upon being informed, QBE’s Claims team quickly engaged our preferred expert vendor to reassess the situation. They found that:
- only 30% of the data was encrypted
- resulting in 70% reduction in restoration time
This second opinion dramatically changed the recovery trajectory.
The Outcome
Thanks to QBE’s proactive approach and technical insight:
- The client avoided unnecessary delays
- Downtime and disruption were minimised and business operations resumed significantly faster
QBE didn’t just manage the claim - they challenged assumptions, validated the threat, and accelerated recovery.
Cover is subject to the applicable policy. These case studies are provided for illustrative purposes only, based on QBE’s claims experience. Some details have been changed for confidentiality. All products and services are provided by QBE Insurance Group Limited or its subsidiaries (“QBE”) or by QBE’s selected third party vendors and may be subject to additional terms and conditions, limitations and disclaimers [available on request]. Information and guidance provided by QBE is not intended to constitute any financial or professional advice tailored to your circumstances and may not have been prepared with detailed knowledge of your systems or the risks to your business, and does not cover all possible situations or actions necessary to respond to a cyber security incident. QBE does not make any guarantees regarding outcomes, such as reduced claim exposure or that a product or service will meet your unique needs. You are responsible for using your independent judgment to assess the advice provided and the suitability of any product and this does not replace the advice of legal counsel or cyber security professionals in preparing for, or responding to, a cyber security incident. QBE is not liable or responsible for services provided by its third party vendors. QBE and the chain links logo are registered trade marks of QBE Insurance Group Limited and third party marks are duly licensed. © 2026 QBE Insurance Group Limited.