In the qualitative phase, 36 in-depth, double-blind executive interviews were conducted with cyber risk buyers from diverse industries and geographic regions. A double-blind protocol was strictly followed to minimize bias and ensure data integrity.

The quantitative phase involved administering a structured online survey to more than 2,200 cyber risk buyers representing a broad spectrum of company sizes, industries, and eight global regions. The survey instrument was pre-tested to ensure clarity, relevance, and reliability of questions.