Welcome to the latest edition of Alta Signa’s Spotlight series. Here we delve into the dynamic world of cyber insurance in the DACH region through the lens of Ralfi Vaso, Underwriter at Alta Signa.
Since joining in April 2023, Ralfi has been instrumental in shaping the growth of our cyber operations in this region, bringing a fresh perspective to a rapidly evolving market. Fluent in English, German, and Albanian, with conversational Italian, Ralfi offers a unique blend of technical expertise and cultural insight. In this interview, he shares his journey into cyber underwriting, the challenges and opportunities within the DACH market, and his outlook on the future of cyber risk.
What inspired you to specialise in cyber risk?
“I’ve always been fascinated by technology,” says Ralfi. “Cyber underwriting perfectly combines my technical interests with my background in business administration.” The fast-paced, ever-changing cyber landscape keeps the work intellectually stimulating, while its growing relevance makes it meaningful. “Cyber risk is now a top business concern, and helping companies protect themselves against evolving threats is both challenging and rewarding.”
What trends are shaping the DACH cyber market?
“The market is highly competitive,” Ralfi explains. “New capacity from reinsurers and MGAs has increased competition and put pressure on premiums.” At the same time, client awareness is rising fast. “Businesses now recognise the severe financial and reputational damage a cyber event can cause, so demand for comprehensive cover is stronger than ever.”
He adds that broader coverage extensions, such as contingent business interruption and social engineering, are creating complexity. “Underwriters need to be vigilant about systemic risks, especially with shared digital infrastructure like cloud services.”
What makes working at Alta Signa rewarding?
“Being part of a small, agile team helps to make me feel like I’m making a big impact,” says Ralfi. “We share ideas openly and can make decisions quickly.” Alta Signa’s local presence in Munich provides valuable insight into the DACH market, while access to diverse capacity from carriers such as Aspen, Markel and Axeria enables the placement of complex or high-limit risks efficiently.
What’s next for the cyber market?
Ralfi expects AI to be a double-edged sword: driving new risks like AI-generated phishing but also enabling smarter underwriting through predictive analytics. As the market matures, pricing stability and niche specialisation will grow.
Ralfi explains: “Be a technical diplomat. Understand the tech, but also listen, collaborate and find solutions. That’s where real value lies.”
Thanks for your time Ralfi! Find out more about our Cyber offering here