Cyber Risk Taxonomies: Statistical Analysis of Cybersecurity Risk Classifications

ArXiv ID: 2410.05297 “View on arXiv”

Authors: Unknown

Abstract

Cyber risk classifications are widely used in the modeling of cyber event distributions, yet their effectiveness in out of sample forecasting performance remains underexplored. In this paper, we analyse the most commonly used classifications and argue in favour of switching the attention from goodness-of-fit and in-sample predictive performance, to focusing on the out-of sample forecasting performance. We use a rolling window analysis, to compare cyber risk distribution forecasts via threshold weighted scoring functions. Our results indicate that business motivated cyber risk classifications appear to be too restrictive and not flexible enough to capture the heterogeneity of cyber risk events. We investigate how dynamic and impact-based cyber risk classifiers seem to be better suited in forecasting future cyber risk losses than the other considered classifications. These findings suggest that cyber risk types provide limited forecasting ability concerning cyber event severity distribution, and cyber insurance ratemakers should utilize cyber risk types only when modeling the cyber event frequency distribution. Our study offers valuable insights for decision-makers and policymakers alike, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of cyber risk management.

Keywords: Cyber Risk, Risk Modelling, Out-of-sample Forecasting, Cyber Insurance, Distribution Forecasting, Insurance

Complexity vs Empirical Score

• Math Complexity: 7.0/10
• Empirical Rigor: 8.0/10
• Quadrant: Holy Grail
• Why: The paper employs advanced statistical methods including dynamic extreme value theory, GAMLSS, and sophisticated scoring rules (CRPS, ES, rCRPS, rES), indicating high mathematical complexity. It also demonstrates strong empirical rigor through the use of a real-world dataset (Advisen), rolling-window out-of-sample forecasting, and simulation studies to validate findings.

  flowchart TD
    A["Research Goal: Assess Cyber Risk Classifications for Out-of-sample Forecasting"] --> B{"Data & Methodology"}
    
    B --> C["Input: Cyber Event Data<br>Risk Classifications<br>Threshold Weighted Scoring"]
    C --> D["Computational Process:<br>Rolling Window Analysis"]
    D --> E["Evaluate Out-of-sample<br>Distribution Forecasts"]
    
    E --> F["Key Findings & Outcomes"]
    
    F --> G["Dynamic & Impact-based<br>Classifiers perform best"]
    F --> H["Business-motivated<br>Classifiers too restrictive"]
    F --> I["Recommendation:<br>Use types for Frequency,<br>not Severity distribution"]