What would you do if your ag
T im Burke knows all too well the cost of having his identity stolen.
In 1999, Burke learned someone gained access to his personal information. What followed was an experience that not only left him feeling violated, but vulnerable.
“ It was remarkably frustrating,” he said.“ I think it’ s as close to someone breaking into your house as you can get. You never live comfortably again.” At the time, Burke spent his own money and resources, hoping to resolve the problem and minimize any potential repercussions.
But even years later, he admits the thought of someone using his confidential information still exists in the back of his mind.
“ It can effectively ruin someone’ s life,” Burke said.“ Someone can still use that information years later to harvest an identity to open up a utility account, a mortgage, and you’ re not even aware,” Burke said.
Today, Burke serves as director of cyber risk for IMA, a Denver-based, diversified financial services company specializing in risk management, insurance, surety and employee benefits solutions. He has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with more than half of that time specializing in technology errors and omissions and cyber risk.
Technology plays an essential role in today’ s society, allowing anyone with a smartphone or laptop to easily conduct business online from nearly any location. And while users may think they have adequate security measures in place, the truth is, criminals are continuing to adapt their efforts to steal data in more sophisticated ways.
And for insurance agents, the results could be devastating.
But there are steps agents can take to protect themselves and mitigate the risks of data breaches.
16 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER | January- February 2017 |