Even though the tech sector is experiencing its best days, the industry’s success is increasingly overshadowed by growing risks that many entrepreneurs prefer not to face. What threats loom over Estonian IT companies both locally and internationally? What mistakes are commonly made in contracts, and why can underestimating risks end up costing a company dearly?
These questions — and more — are discussed in the latest podcast episode with Ats Albre, CEO of Nortal Estonia and President of ITL, and Helen Evert, financial risk specialist at IIZI, interviewed by host Tõnu Einasto.
The IT sector is booming, but risks are rising
Ats Albre highlights that Estonia’s tech industry is strong and mature, but this comes with pressure. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, which is holding back investment decisions — even though the sector is currently thriving,” he notes.
He emphasizes that regulatory instability and rapidly shifting market conditions affect how confidently IT companies plan for the future.
Estonia’s tech sector is strong and mature — but that also brings pressure.
With experience extending from Estonia to the international stage, Albre has led digital solution development and seen first-hand how various countries and business environments shape their IT ecosystems. In the episode, he shares his perspective on how competitive and resilient Estonian companies are on global markets.
Top 3 loss trends – are you ready?
Helen Evert, who works daily with assessing and mitigating business risks, outlines the three most common loss trends facing IT companies today:
- Errors related to technological activities and resulting legal claims
- Ransomware attacks and cybersecurity incidents
- Claims related to intellectual property infringement
Evert stresses that many companies fall into costly traps even before their first deal — contracts are often signed in a rush.
Contracts are signed too hastily, without fully understanding what’s being promised or who’s taking on responsibility.
The discussion also touches on AI adoption and regulation. While AI is rapidly reshaping business models, legislation often struggles to keep up. According to Albre, there’s a risk that over-regulation may stifle innovation instead of protecting society. At the same time, he underlines the need for a strong, clear legal framework that gives businesses the confidence to move forward.
Insurance isn’t just a checkbox
Helen Evert points out that risk mitigation isn’t just about having an insurance policy — it starts with awareness and a strong internal risk culture. It’s not only about what happens when an attack hits, but also whether the company has a plan and the tools to recover.
She emphasizes that choosing the right insurance — tailored to IT-specific risks — can be the deciding factor between recovery and losing clients, reputation, and revenue.