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To Err is Human, To Forgive is Fine, To Prevent is Divine
Human error remains a dominant driver of cybersecurity incidents. Organizations worldwide continue to look for ways to reduce this persistent risk. The latest effort comes from AXA XL and KnowBe4, who have announced a global partnership to help clients build stronger human defenses against cyber threats.
According to Mimecast, 95% of last year’s data breaches involved some form of human error. Despite growing investments in technical controls, attackers continue to exploit gaps in user awareness. Insurers and cybersecurity providers alike are responding by promoting better training and education programs.
AXA XL’s new collaboration with KnowBe4 will provide cyber insurance clients with tools to manage human risk. The initiative includes a free phishing test and discounted access to KnowBe4’s core offerings, such as Security Awareness Training and Cloud Email Security.
Human risk in cybersecurity gets insurer-backed training push
The partnership reflects an industry-wide shift toward addressing the human factor in cybersecurity. This is an area where insurance markets have shown increasing concern in recent years. Without a trained and vigilant workforce, even the best technical defenses can fail.
AXA XL offers clients new tools for tackling cyber threats
AXA XL’s clients will gain access to KnowBe4’s Security Awareness Training platform, which simulates phishing and delivers role-based education. The offering also includes Cloud Email Security, designed to prevent sophisticated phishing attacks from reaching users.
Additional discounts will apply to advanced tools, including PhishER Plus, SecurityCoach, Compliance Plus, and AI Defense Agents. The aim is to give clients a range of options for improving employee awareness and behavior.
Why human error remains cybersecurity’s biggest challenge
Employees remain essential to daily business operations. We aren’t going anywhere. That is why mitigating human risk has become a top priority for both cyber insurers and cybersecurity teams.
By offering clients free phishing tests, AXA XL hopes to help businesses quantify their exposure and prioritize remediation. “Employees are often the first line of defense against cyber threats,” said Tim Smit, AXA XL’s Global Head of Cyber Risk Strategies. “Partnering with KnowBe4 ensures our clients have the tools to empower their teams.”
AXA XL and KnowBe4: A strategic partnership for cyber resilience
For KnowBe4, the partnership represents an opportunity to expand its reach among large multinational businesses. “Together with AXA XL, we are building a stronger security culture,” said Prashant Pai, EVP at KnowBe4. “By managing human risk, we help organizations turn employees into security assets.”
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Tim Smit on human risk and the insurer’s proactive stance
Smit emphasized the proactive nature of the initiative. “We recognize that education is critical to cyber resilience,” he said. “This program ensures our clients can access best-in-class resources to stay ahead of evolving threats.”
Prashant Pai: Building security culture through education
Pai noted that the program is designed for all employee levels, from executives to frontline workers. “Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility,” Pai said. “Our mission is to give each employee the understanding they need to protect sensitive information.”
As cyber insurers seek to reduce claims and help clients manage growing exposures, human factors will continue to be a critical focus area. AXA XL’s partnership with KnowBe4 reflects a broader trend: building internal security culture as a foundation for cyber resilience.
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