Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers MUST properly collect and protect sensitive client information. This means complying with both Federal and State Regulations. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) covers the Federally Mandated Agent Requirements of this Data Privacy Law. The IIABA Office of General Counsel reviewed the agents legal requirements regarding this law and prepared a guide for agents entitled “ IIABA - The Privacy Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley ACT and Their Impact on Insurance Agents & Brokers." Section VI - ”Data Security & Integrity Requirements” -  describes the “final rule” and the mandated actions insurance agencies must do to be in compliance with this Federal Law.

These acts and regulations can be difficult to address given the many responsibilities agents encounter. Big "I" Agents Council for Technology has released an updated version of its free "Agency Cyber Guide 3.0." This guide helps independent agents and brokers understand and comply with the cyber regulations which help protect agencies and customers. The Guide includes a redesign of navigation and user experience. An expanded cyber security provider guide is also included. Check it out at:   

 - ACT Agency Cyber Guide 3.0

Consider this:

In 2018, 67% of data breaches hit small businesses - up from 61% in 2017, and 53% in 2016.

Cyber attacks cost small businesses between $84,000 and $148,000, and can reach $690,000.

60% of small businesses go out of business within six months of an attack.

Can you afford not to protect your agency?

AIS/NetGen Partner to Provide Cyber Solutions

Agents Insurance Services (AIS) and NetGen Data Security Consulting have partnered to provide cyber solutions for your insurance agency. The road to agency compliance is laid out in the compliance toolkit by NetGen. The 12 step process, when fully implemented, will provide the agency with compliance. 

For additional information on NetGen and the compliance road map, click here.

Cyber Webinar Series

Avoid an Agency and Personal Financial Disaster, Make Cyber Security Your Agency’s Priority - Webinar Series

Have you thought about how important cyber coverage and compliance with the mandated data privacy laws is to not only your agency, but your personal financial health, as well?  The IIA of IL, as always, is your number one resource. We know this topic is overwhelming, but very important.

Instructors Brian McSherry and Bill Larson have created this series of webinars so you can find out how you, both professionally and personally can protect your financial assets due to non-compliance with the mandated data privacy laws. By watching the pre-recorded sessions below, members will not only understand the current Mandated Data Privacy and Security Laws, but also receive assistance in developing a plan to become compliant with those laws.

To access the webinars, login above. Webinars will be listed below once you are logged in.

Cyber Webinar Instructors

Brian McSherry
Brian McSherry is former Vice President of Agents Insurance Services, Inc. a subsidiary of the IIA of IL. He began his professional insurance career as a sole producer of new and renewal business for both commercial and personal lines. In 1981, he purchased Huxtable Insurance Agency, Inc. and held the position of President.

In 2004, McSherry was instrumental in the acquisition of two agencies that led to the formation of the McSherry Agency, Inc. This increased the service-area footprint and grew written premiums from $1M to its current premium volume of over $3M.

In 2005, as the founding Partner of Premier Ag Partners LLC, Brian managed a cluster arrangement of six agencies specializing in Crop Hail and Multi-Peril Crop insurance. Initial premium volume was approximately $9M and, over the course of seven years, the company grew to 26 member agencies generating $32M in premium volume.

​In 2012 McSherry was one of four founding partners of Premier Ag Farm Partners LLC, a wholesale agency specializing in processing Multi-Peril and Crop Hail insurance. In addition to offering processing services for crop insurance, the agency offers farm property, liability, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, and excess liability coverage to retail agencies. It currently processes crop insurance business for four agencies and provides farm insurance coverage for over 25 retail agencies generating over $400K in premiums.

​Throughout his career he has been active in insurance industry professional associations at the local, state, and national level. As past Chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) Crop Insurance Task Force, he met regularly with members of Congress, the Risk Management Administration, and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors to discuss the role of and the issues affecting independent insurance agents in the delivery and service of the Multi-Peril Crop Insurance program. He has testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management on the role of Independent Agents and the impact of commission caps on the delivery system.

Previously McSherry served as IIA of IL State National Director from 2007 to 2015.

Bill Larson
For more than 40 years, Bill Larson has provided cost effective programs to protect a business’s profits and its financial integrity.  Larson is a partner in NetGen Data Security Consulting. NetGen assists businesses in developing Data Security Plans, Policies and Procedures necessary to Comply with the Data Security and Privacy Laws.

Larson is President of Profit Protection Risk Management Consulting – Specializing in Protecting Corporate Profits from the effects of the current Data Security and Privacy Laws, Chairman of the IIABA/ACT HIPAA Workgroup leading the study of compliance and liability exposures associated with Data Security and Privacy Laws for the Independent Insurance Agent and a leading member of the IIABA/ACT Security Issues Workgroup which developed, and continuously updates, the ACT Cyber Guide.

Bill is involved in continuous development of Data Security/Privacy Risk Management Programs endorsed by various local and state associations and is the co-author of several articles on Data Security/Privacy for various Insurance Publications.