As global organisations expect to face successful cyberattacks this year, many insurers have boosted their cybersecurity workforce and controls. Zurich Insurance-owned travel insurer Cover-More Group (Cover-More) is the latest firm to boost its cyber capabilities by appointing Matthew Townend as its new head of cyber security, effective early May 2022.

Townend joined Cover-More from Coal Services in Australia, where he led the development, delivery, and implementation of cyber security strategy for more than four years. Previously, he worked at the NSW Department of Family and Community Services for nearly three years, most notably as an information security technical lead. He also held IT-related roles at Dimension Data and Lynas Rare Earths.

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In his new role, Townend is based in Australia, but plays a global role in overseeing and evolving Cover-More's cyber security requirements across regions and businesses. He replaced Amit Ghodekar, who departed from Cover-More late last year to take on the role of vice president for information security at India's Axis Bank.

Cover-More group chief information officer Conor Breslin said Townend is expected to refresh the company's vision for cyber security and agree to the plans to deliver this vision.

“Matthew will be responsible for evolving Cover-More's cyber capability globally, ensuring we are aligned across businesses and regions while working closely with the Zurich team so as to benefit from the maturity and scale in the Zurich organisation,” Breslin said, as reported by ITNews.