Given the implications of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, countless employees across a variety of industries are working remotely. While this allows businesses to remain operational, it can create a number of risks, particularly for those who fail to take the proper precautions.

Above all, information security is one the greatest challenges for companies allowing remote work during the COVID-19 outbreak. When an employee is at the office, their work is protected by safety standards that keep your company’s network and data secure. However, an employee working from home may not have the same safety measures in place to protect your organization’s devices and information.

In order to safeguard your business and employees from data breaches, cyber scams and viruses, consider the following strategies:

• Train employees on how to detect and respond to phishing attacks. Criminals prey on unfortunate circumstances, seeking to capitalize on victims during times of panic and hardship. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Cyber criminals have been known to pose as charities and legitimate websites to lure victims into sending money and revealing personal information. Individuals should scrutinize any emails, texts and social media posts related to COVID-19 and be cautious when clicking any links and attachments. Specifically, employees should be instructed to:
  • Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails, and be wary of email attachments.
  • Use trusted sources when looking for factual information on COVID-19, such as CDC.gov.
  • Never give out personal or financial information via email, even if the sender seems legitimate.
  • Never respond to emails soliciting personal or financial information.
  • Verify a charity’s authenticity before making any donations.
• Have a virtual private network (VPN) in place, and ensure employees are using it to access company systems and data when working remotely. VPNs encrypt internet traffic, which can be particularly useful when your employees are connected to a home or public network. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for your company to prohibit employees from accessing company information from public networks altogether.
• Mandate the use of security and anti-virus software. This software should be up to date and include the latest patches.
• Educate your employees on the kinds of sensitive data they are obligated to protect. This could include confidential business information, trade secrets, intellectual property and personal information. When working with sensitive data, employees should take to the same precautions they would if they were at the office. They should avoid using their personal email for company business and think critically about the documents they are printing at home. If they must print sensitive information, they should shred the document when it is no longer needed. Encrypting sensitive information can also help you protect any data that is stored or sent to remote devices.
• Prohibit employees from sharing their work devices with friends and family members. Doing so reduces risks associated with unauthorized or inadvertent access of company information.
• Have employees update their contact information. That way, if your systems are compromised, you can easily contact your staff and provide the appropriate updates and instructions.
• Create and communicate a system that employees can use to report lost or stolen equipment. This will help your IT department respond quickly and mitigate potential data loss threats.
• Require two-factor authentication for all company passwords. Two-factor authentication adds a layer of security that allows companies to protect against compromised credentials. Through this method, users must confirm their identity by providing extra information (e.g., a phone number or unique security code) when attempting to access corporate applications, networks and servers. This additional login hurdle means that would-be cyber criminals won’t easily unlock an account, even if they have the password in hand.
• Consider security precautions for mobile devices. Proper phone security is just as important as a well-protected computer network. A smartphone could grant access to any number of applications, emails and stored passwords. Depending on how your organization uses such devices, unauthorized access to the information on a smartphone or tablet could be just as damaging as a data breach involving more traditional computer systems.

For additional protection, employers should consider backing up data and bolstering network protections as best as they can. For cyber security insurance or guidance, contact TWFG Tony Voiron

Inland marine insurance was once used strictly in the ocean marine industry to protect against property losses before, during and after water transfers. As the non-ocean aspect of the cargo journey developed, cargoes were transferred to barge, and the term “inland marine” was created. These policies became known as “floaters” because the property covered was originally floating in the ocean.
In the modern insurance industry, inland marine coverage provides protection to fill any gaps in commercial property protection or to reach specific limits of coverage.

Industry-Specific Coverage
Inland marine insurance can provide specific coverage by industry to protect against a wide array of exposures:

• Construction:
  • Builder’s risk: Protection for damage to buildings or structures under construction, renovation or repair.
  • Contractor’s equipment: Protects equipment and tools that are normally excluded under typical builder’s risk insurance.
  • Installation: Covers machinery and equipment during transit, installation and/or testing at project sites.
  • Rigger’s liability: Protection when acting as a rigger for the property of others in their care, control and custody.
• Technology and communication
  • Cable television: Protection for property that is essential to cable television systems.
  • Electronic equipment: Insures equipment that uses microprocessors and semiconductors.
  • Medical imaging equipment: Protects mobile medical equipment housed at hospitals, clinics and other similar premises.
  • Physicians and surgeons: Covers medical, surgical and dental equipment, supplies and instruments used in the medical and dental fields.
  • Telecommunication equipment: Protects telephones, computers, fax machines, video conferencing audio and visual equipment and teleconferencing equipment.
• Transportation:

Commercial transport: Coverage for goods and 

• merchandise in transit for truckers, warehouses, shippers and logistics operators.
• Legal liability: Coverage for sums the policyholder is obligated to cover as a result of damage from a covered loss to property of others.
• Motor truck cargo: Protects owners and operators of trucks against losses to owned property or property of others while in transport.
• Railroad rolling stock: Protects rolling stock owned or leased by railroad companies or other businesses.
• Tank storage: Protects tanks, pipelines and appurtenances and their contents while in the insured’s care, custody and control.

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• Miscellaneous floaters:
  • Armored cars: Protects against losses attributed to armored cars.
  • Furriers block: Covers furs, fur garments or garments trimmed with fur while in the care of furriers, fur storage companies, department stores and other retailers.
  • Installation sales: Covers retail and wholesale merchants, manufacturers, banks and financial companies  who sell and use personal property as collateral for loans, conditions of sales contracts, as part of a deferred payment plan or as an installment payment plan.
  • Jewelers block: Provides protection for jewelry, semi-precious stones, precious metals, alloys and other goods used in the insured’s business.
  • Miscellaneous floaters: Serves as “catch-all” coverage for property that is movable.
  • Related property: Protection for buildings, business property, income and extra expenses when writing another marine coverage.

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Additional Resources
Consult TWFG Insurance - Voiron Insurance Services, LLC today to learn more about inland marine insurance to protect items that seem to fall between the lines of your current coverage.  We have the expertise to help you to mitigate your risks and protect your bottom line.