As the world becomes accustomed to a sharp increase in major cyberattacks and data breaches, cyber insurance is becoming more popular. Cyberinsurance can protect a business if it is held liable for losses suffered if hackers steal customers’ sensitive data. You can...
AI: Emerging risks and opportunities for agents
The rise of artificial intelligence has changed our world completely—sparking impressive advancements and opening doors to countless possibilities. Yet, as we continue in this AI-centric era, we need to be prepared for the unexpected pitfalls it might bring—especially...
Connecticut Convention: Mock cyberattacks, networking
PIACT held its annual Connecticut Convention at the end of March—returning to the Hartford Marriott Downtown. The event featured hundreds of agents, company representatives, exhibitors, and more industry professionals from Connecticut. Excitingly, the Connecticut...
Managing risks with cyber liability policies
On Sept. 8, 2022, Suffolk County, New York, learned a professional hacking group known as BlackCat had gained unauthorized access to over 20 agencies with the county. Everybody from the police forces, to social services, to emergency dispatchers were forced to figure...
Navigating claims today: A modern approach provides specific industry advantages
Recently, claims management has had a hard and unmissable shove into the future. With the growing emphasis on digital transformation and the rise of InsurTechs, it’s nearly impossible to manage claims—or even exist—in the property/casualty insurance industry without...
N.Y. cyber security certification of compliance filings due by April 15
Those individuals who hold a New York state insurance license (covered entities), including nonresident licensees, have until Saturday, April 15, 2023, to certify their compliance with the requirements of New York state’s cyber security regulation (23 NYCRR 500) for...
Real-life data breaches, experienced by real-life PIA member agents
Small businesses—which can include PIA members—are tempting targets for cyber crooks. They are just as vulnerable to data breaches as big companies, but they have fewer defenses. Members who have walked clients through the cyber claim process or who have been hacked...
Hardbit ransomware attempts to acquire insurance information
Hardbit ransomware emerged in October of 2022 and by November, version 2.0 already had evolved. What’s important to know about Hardbit ransomware is that it attempts to broker ransom payments through its victim’s cyber insurance policies. What is the threat? According...
N.Y.: New cyber regulations on the horizon; certification of compliance due April 15
The New York State Department of Financial Services released the official proposed second amendment to the cyber security regulation (23 NYCRR 500) for public comment late last year. This follows an unofficial draft of the amendments that circulated this past August....
Be alert: Red flags in agency agreements
Raise your hand if you enjoy reading contracts. Why am I getting the sense that I am the only one with his hand up? OK, I get it. Contracts are boring. They are long and filled with terms that barely resemble English. While I can’t get you out of reading the terms of...