Insuring the Uninsurable: AXA XL’s Strategic Gamble on Industrial Cybersecurity Standards

When a cyberattack can shut down a factory, cripple critical infrastructure, or paralyze entire supply chains, insurance alone is no longer enough. Recognizing this, AXA XL - a heavyweight in the commercial insurance world - is making a bold move: joining forces with ISASecure, the certification arm of the International Society of Automation (ISA), to embed world-class cybersecurity standards directly into the industrial sector’s DNA.

Digging Deeper: Why This Alliance Matters

Industrial cyberattacks are no longer hypothetical. From ransomware in manufacturing to state-sponsored hacks targeting energy grids, the threats are real - and insurance payouts alone cannot undo the damage to critical operations. Enter ISA/IEC 62443: a rigorous set of international standards designed to secure the labyrinthine networks of industrial automation and control systems (IACS) that keep factories, utilities, and infrastructure running.

By joining ISASecure, AXA XL isn’t just checking a compliance box. The company is embedding itself in a global ecosystem of cybersecurity experts, auditors, and product developers. “Becoming a member of ISASecure really strengthens our ability to support clients with their operational technology (OT) cybersecurity needs,” says Rebiah Bardot-Girard, AXA XL’s head of cyber risk consulting. The move gives AXA XL’s consultants privileged access to ISASecure’s certification frameworks, enabling them to assess, benchmark, and improve client defenses using internationally recognized standards.

In practice, this means AXA XL clients can expect more than just advice - they’ll receive actionable, standards-based recommendations to weave cybersecurity directly into their operations. It’s a proactive approach: rather than reacting to breaches, companies can now minimize vulnerabilities at the design stage, reducing both the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents. This is particularly critical in operational technology, where a single breach can halt production lines or disrupt public utilities.

AXA XL’s partnership with ISASecure also reflects a wider industry shift. As more insurers grapple with the growing complexity and cost of cyber risk, there’s a clear trend toward using globally recognized standards like ISA/IEC 62443 as both a benchmark and a roadmap for risk reduction. With other major entities - such as Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency - joining ISASecure, the momentum for standardized, validated industrial cybersecurity is unmistakable.