Schreider draws on his vast experience to take the reader on a ‘world tour’ of privacy and data protection laws

The drive towards a greener economy, energy transition and its challenges, and recent shifts in market prices are just the tip of the iceberg of risks faced by the energy and renewables sector. Cyber and digital innovation and the COVID-19 pandemic bring even greater disruption to the sector, at a time when it is already under immense pressure.

Cyber attacks do not necessarily lead to a loss of data if they can be adequately defended or if data can be restored from backups and, if the findings of a poll released today are anything to go by, investment in that area of information security may be starting to pay off.

Castel Europe has acquired the renewal rights for Navigators Europe in an agreement which includes a book predominantly of Dutch marine cargo, inland hull, land-based equipment and liability business. The Navigators Europe marine underwriting team based in Rotterdam will transfer to Castel Europe and will continue to be led by Duco Teijema, as marine manager, Netherlands. Duco will report into Gert van Middelkoop, head of Castel’s Marine Centre of Excellence.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics confirm the significant and wide-ranging negative impact of the lockdown and social distancing on the UK economy in May, as well as some green shoots of recovery.

F24 has integrated its emergency notification and crisis management solutions to offer a combined SaaS solution.

The most pressing business continuity concern of the day is further disruption from a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 70% of companies polled in a study released today said this was their key focus in the coming days and weeks.

The power sector is struggling with COVID-19-related pressures, as workforce availability and supply chain continuity prove challenging. This comes at a time when the sector is already under pressure to fulfil its ESG commitments. On the plus side, some have taken advantage of the current decrease demand to proactively advance maintenance.

As recovery begins in the wake of Cyclone Amphan in India and Bangladesh, and with the Atlantic hurricane season fast approaching, businesses with an international presence are urged to consider continuity plans to safeguard employees whilst taking into account the unique challenges caused by COVID-19.

Site security inspections and dedicated loss prevention measures will help ensure a successful and safe reopening after shutdown, as businesses are warned that fires, machinery breakdowns and faulty workmanship or maintenance are among the most expensive causes of insurance claims. This is the advice of AGCS, in a back-to-work checklist for businesses now preparing to reopen.

Research published today points to fundamental failures in business continuity planning amongst UK companies, as it suggests that before the coronavirus outbreak, two-thirds of organisations polled had no plans in place for responding to a pandemic, despite the same number having what they considered to be an "up-to-date business continuity plan".

Assurance Software has completed its acquisition of Avalution Consulting, in the latest M&A deal in the business continuity software market. The combined company serves more than 850 customers in 30 countries, offering business continuity consulting, software, staffing and data analysis.

AXA XL Risk Consulting has launched a virtual risk assessment service to help maintain client service continuity amid COVID-19 restrictions. Remote Risk Dialogue enables the insurer's risk engineers to perform remote analysis not seen in traditional loss prevention programmes and provide risk managers, underwriters and brokers with an up-to-date view risks.

Chaotic scenes in supermarkets, tension and even brawls on public transport over mask-wearing and coughing, fake news, fake remedies, and alarming headlines around the stockpiling and resale of PPE at exorbitant prices all characterise the darker side of what can happen when people are faced with a pandemic.