Cyber Sip

Listen in to episode 37 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™, which finds host Kevin Szczepanski delving into the fascinating and sometimes unsettling topic of

Welcome to Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™ episode 36. Host Kevin Szczepanski talks with Kyle Cavalieri, president of Avalon Cyber, about tabletop exercises. (No sit-ups involved.) Kevin and Kyle define the practice as a moderated exercise that tests an organization's ability to respond to a cyberattack. It’s helpful to

It’s episode 35 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™! Host Kevin Szczepanski and returning guest Reggie Dejean of Lawley Insurance take a look at the future of cyber liability coverage. Kevin kicks it off by noting that some in the insurance industry are making noises about cyber risk becoming uninsurable. Reggie, a 20-year veteran of the field, counters that, because cyber insurance (and reinsurance) are newer areas and because of the enormous disruption that major cyberattacks and breaches can cause, this is a natural phase of testing and potentially correcting the segment. Do we need legislation? What’s happening with litigation? And what’s the best type of cyber insurance for businesses to have? Listen in for answers and tips.

In episode 34 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™, host Kevin Szczepanski welcomes back Bryan McCarthy of Transatlantic Reinsurance Company to discuss limiting exposure to biometric privacy claims. They continue the conversation they started in episode 28 about the effects of Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). BIPA is intended to protect residents of Illinois but has ramifications for businesses across the country. Hear Kevin and Bryan review what companies can do to protect themselves through insurance coverage for biometric privacy claims—claims about fingerprints, retinal scans, and other biometric data not being handled properly under BIPA. Beginning with who is subject to the statute (you may be surprised) and then moving on to the wisdom, as Bryan says, of “everyone being on the same page” with regard to coverage, they give a solid overview. Tune in.

In episode 32 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™, host Kevin Szczepanski welcomes Brandy Griffin of Crum & Forster Insurance to talk about the ever-changing landscape of cyber security. Brandy, who is senior manager for cyber incident response and e-risk, and Kevin dive deep and cover some newer issues, like board- and executive-level responsibility for all things data privacy and security. What else? For one thing, it’s easier than ever to have resilient backups, but that’s not stopping attackers. Kevin and Brandy also touch on AI, ransom policies, conquering the “alphabet soup,” and taking advantage of helpful resources from the insurance industry. It’s no game!

In episode 31 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™, host Kevin Szczepanski welcomes Reggie Dejean of Lawley Insurance to address the burning question “do I need cyber insurance?” You’ll hear why Reggie believes that organizations need this type of coverage—his reasons boil down to the cost of these elements: extortion or ransom fees, legal and forensic fees, and business disruption. As Kevin has discussed with multiple guests, though, the application process can be daunting. In the rare instance that a company can’t get the coverage it needs, they say, it’s smart to have, at minimum, a law firm and a forensics firm on speed dial. Listen in for more.

In this solo episode of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™, host Kevin Szczepanski fills listeners in on important updates for financial companies—those that are licensed, regulated, chartered, or otherwise authorized to do business under New York State’s banking, insurance, or financial services laws. If the question is whether the new Part 500 Cybersecurity Rules will affect your business, the answer is most likely yes. Over the past year, the New York Department of Financial Services has issued proposed amendments that will have a significant effect not only on the primarily targeted businesses but on the vendors that serve them. And they are coming soon. Listen in for more details.

Host Kevin Szczepanski is back with episode 29 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™. In this segment, Kevin talks with Bill Haber, co-founder of TEKRiSQ, a cybersecurity company that helps small- and medium-sized businesses minimize technology risks quickly and affordably. Bill’s company approaches its work with a “wellness” philosophy—only recommending solutions after the underlying issues are diagnosed. Bill dispels some common myths, describing how and where his company comes into the mix when businesses are seeking cybersecurity insurance. Listen in for more—and be sure to come back to hear Bill’s co-founder, Dean Mechlowitz, cover in an upcoming episode the top ten solutions underwriters like to see in place.

Host Kevin Szczepanski is back with episode 28 of Barclay Damon Live: Cyber Sip™. Kevin and his guest, Bryan McCarthy of Transatlantic Reinsurance Company, explore Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), its 2008 origins, and what it mandates. Bryan, a senior claims examiner for Trans Re, and Kevin agree that the topic of protecting biometric information is critical and timely—whether that information comes from a fingerprint, retinal scan, or facial recognition. Also critically important: knowing if, when, how, and by whom the information is being collected, stored, and destroyed. You might be surprised to learn how broadly applicable this Illinois-based act is, how non-compliance is punishable, and the trends in class-action lawsuits because of it. Listen for more.