Category Archives: Business

Press Releases from the Business World. Announcements, Product releases, Appointments.

Former Macy’s, AMEX Executive Joins BigID As New Vice President of Privacy & Policy


BigID, the leader in data-centric data privacy and protection, today announced the appointment of Heather Federman to Vice President of Privacy and Policy. She brings nearly a decade of privacy and regulatory expertise to BigID, including senior leadership positions in the retail and finance industries.

Heather will be responsible for leading initiatives related to privacy evangelism, internal compliance and industry collaboration. Prior to BigID, Heather was the Director of Privacy and Data Risk at Macy’s Inc., managing policies, programs, communications, and training. Heather also served as the Senior Privacy Manager at American Express Co., focusing on AMEX’s Global Brand, Marketing and Digital Partnerships. She previously served as a Legal & Policy Fellow for the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF) and as the Public Policy Director for the Online Trust Alliance (OTA).

“Heather’s expertise makes her an ideal fit to help drive BigID’s privacy and policy initiatives internally and externally,” said Dimitri Sirota, CEO and Co-founder of BigID. “She has a proven track record of spearheading major privacy initiatives, and will serve as a crucial member of our team as BigID enters our next stage of corporate growth.”

To learn more, please visit bigid.com/demo.

About BigID:

Based in New York and Tel Aviv, BigID uses advanced machine learning and identity intelligence to help enterprises better protect their customer and employee data at petabyte scale. Using BigID, enterprises can better safeguard and assure the privacy of their most sensitive data, reducing breach risk and enabling compliance with emerging data protection regulations like the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and California Consumer Privacy Act. BigID has raised $146 million in funding since its founding in 2016 and has been recognized for its privacy innovation as the 2018 RSA Conference Innovation Sandbox winner, a CB Insights 2018 Cyber Defender, Network Products Guide 2018 IT World Awards “Hot Company of the Year” winner, a 2019 InformationWeek Vendor to Watch, a 2019 Business Insider enterprise vendor “to bet your career on,” and a 2019 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Learn more at http://bigid.com or visit us at http://bigid.com/demo to schedule a demo.

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Nexum, Inc. Recognized on CRN’s 2020 MSP500 List


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We’ve experienced continued growth, basing our success on world-class engineers delivering integrated solutions from best-of-breed manufacturer partners. Nexum’s expertise and industry knowledge continue to be invaluable to our customers and partners as we rise in the Managed Service Provider 500.

Nexum, Inc., a leader in networking and cybersecurity solutions announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company has named Nexum® to its 2020 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Security 100 category. This popular list identifies North American solution providers that deliver operational efficiencies, IT system improvements, and a higher rate of return on investments for their customers. These accomplished MSPs work tirelessly to guide their customers and create solutions for complex IT issues. This annual list is divided into three categories: the MSP Pioneer 250 who are focused primarily on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, large data center-focused on- and off-premises; and the Managed Security 100 made up of off-premises-focused, cloud-based IT security services.

Nexum provides its clients with industry-leading products, services, support, and training. “We’ve experienced continued growth, basing our success on world-class engineers delivering integrated solutions from best-of-breed manufacturer partners. Nexum’s expertise and industry knowledge continue to be invaluable to our customers and partners as we rise in the Managed Service Provider 500,” said David Lesser, Founder and CEO of Nexum.

“MSPs are the critical bridge for customers looking to assess, implement and migrate their IT and cloud solutions to drive efficiencies, lower costs and secure your environment,” said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. “On behalf of our team at The Channel Company, I want to congratulate the accomplished companies on CRN’s 2020 MSP 500 list and thank them for their commitment to finding innovative solutions that move the IT channel forward.”

The MSP500 list will be featured in the February 2020 issue of CRN and online at http://www.crn.com/msp500.

About Nexum, Inc.

Nexum, Inc. is an IT security and networking company that builds and secures global networks for organizations across multiple verticals around the world. Nexum believes that by remaining absolutely focused on its clients’ needs, success naturally follows. Nexum meets those needs through a holistic value-based approach that includes best-in-breed products, professional services, Nexum-branded manufacturer support, authorized training, and monitored and managed security services. Latin for an arrangement by which one pledged one’s very liberty as security, Nexum stands for a commitment to its customers, to help ensure their security. At Nexum, We Mean Security®.

http://www.nexuminc.com

Follow Nexum: Twitter and LinkedIn

About The Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. http://www.thechannelco.com

Copyright ©2020. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

The Channel Company Contact:

Jennifer Hogan

The Channel Company

jhogan@thechannelcompany.com

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ODG by MCG Announces Patrick F. Robinson as VP of Government Affairs


ODG by MCG

ODG by MCG is the leader in medical treatment & return to work guidelines

“We are thrilled to have Patrick on board to assist with our continuous support of ODG states along with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders considering implementation of evidence-based guidelines and drug formularies for their systems.” – Phil LeFevre, Managing Director at ODG by MCG

ODG, an MCG Health company, announces Patrick F. Robinson, workers’ compensation attorney and judge, and a former Regional Director for the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute (WCRI), has joined ODG as Vice President of Government Affairs. Along with his public policy experience with WCRI and as a former Director of the Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation, Robinson has over 25 years of experience as an attorney, successfully representing business owners, employers, and insurers.

After graduating from Southeastern Louisiana University as a Distinguished Military Graduate, Robinson’s career began with his service as an infantry officer with the U.S. Army at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He received his law degree from Louisiana State University in 1994. Robinson worked as a lawyer and workers’ compensation judge before being appointed by the Governor of Louisiana as the Director of the Louisiana Office of Workers Compensation. After leaving government service in 2015, he became regional director for WCRI, working with stakeholders across the country to improve workers’ compensation systems.

Most recently, Robinson was a partner with the law firm of Allen & Gooch before joining ODG/MCG as Vice President and Director of Government Affairs.

As VP of Government Affairs for ODG, Patrick will be responsible for continuing to support and grow the ODG footprint for treatment and drug formulary adoptions in workers’ compensation. With about a dozen ODG mandates starting with Ohio in 2003 followed by North Dakota in 2005, Texas in 2007, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and most recently in Kentucky, Indiana, Montana, Tennessee, and Arizona, the success of ODG in workers’ compensation has helped regulators and legislators create system savings in several cases of more than 50% due to improved outcomes and reduced friction.

“Regulators will appreciate Patrick’s extensive, multi-faceted experience and understanding of workers’ compensation public policy as both a litigator and a former policy-maker,” said Phil LeFevre, Managing Director at ODG by MCG. “We are thrilled to have Patrick on board to assist with our continuous support of ODG states along with legislators, regulators, and stakeholders considering implementation of evidence-based guidelines and drug formularies for their systems.”

“I have seen first-hand the results of ODG, including dramatic reduction in treatment delay, lost-time, medical costs, and workers’ compensation premiums, as well as monumental strides in reduction of opioid abuse,” commented Robinson. “It is not surprising that ODG has more successful adoptions and mandates than any other guideline. I am very excited to join the ODG team to help support those implementations and assist other states looking to adopt and implement evidence-based guidelines and formularies.”

About ODG

ODG, an MCG Health company, provides unbiased, evidence-based guidelines that unite payers, providers, and employers in the effort to confidently and effectively return employees to health. The clinical guidelines and analytical tools within ODG are designed to improve and benchmark return-to-work performance, facilitate quality care while limiting inappropriate utilization, assess claim risk for interventional triage, and set reserves based on industry data. For more information visit http://www.mcg.com/odg.

About MCG Health

MCG, part of the Hearst Health network, helps healthcare organizations implement informed care strategies that proactively and efficiently move people toward health. MCG’s transparent assessment of the latest research and scholarly articles, along with our own data analysis, gives patients, providers, and payers the vetted information they need to feel confident in every care decision, in every moment. For more information visit http://www.mcg.com or follow our Twitter handle at @MCG_Health.

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Gilsbar Names Paul Johnson Senior Director of Population Health Management


“Hank Miltenberger, Gilsbar’s President, and our executive team have always believed that innovative population health management programs are the foundation of a successful, thriving company,” shared Paul.

Gilsbar is proud to announce a recent promotion for our Director of Population Health Management Paul Johnson to Senior Director. This expansion of Mr. Johnson’s role reflects Gilsbar’s commitment to our clients, brokers, and members to consistently improve upon the services we offer and by continually developing innovative solutions to their needs.

“Hank Miltenberger, Gilsbar’s President, and our executive team have always believed that innovative population health management programs are the foundation of a successful, thriving company” shared Paul. “Over the last 10 years we have built a team of over 50 clinicians ranging from Registered Nurses, Dietitians and Social Workers to a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Doctor of Pharmacy. Our goal is to lower costs for the group, simplify the experience and improve the health of our members. I’m very fortunate to lead such a diverse, intelligent, fun staff who care deeply for the members they serve.”

Ryan Haun, Gilsbar Vice President, shared, “Paul is a natural leader who establishes an environment of quality and performance without sacrificing the care and personal attention to needs that our members want. Combined with his extensive professional healthcare background, these qualities help make his team successful and we appreciate the investment he has made here at Gilsbar. We are fortunate to have him.”

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Life Insurance Commercial Mortgage Index Steeply Drops in Fourth Quarter


Treasury yields – which move inversely with prices – reversed their downward course slightly in the fourth quarter to generate negative price performance. The yield on the 10-year Treasury had climbed up 24 basis points over the quarter.

Trepp, a leading provider of information analytics and technology to the structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking markets has released the fourth quarter 2019 returns for its life insurance commercial mortgage index showing a steep decrease from previous quarters.

The LifeComps™ Index, which benchmarks commercial mortgage investments held by life insurance companies, posted a 0.55 % total return in fourth quarter 2019. This number reflects a significant drop from a third-quarter reading of 2.20 %. The reading was 3.11 % in the second quarter, and 3.15 % in the first quarter. For the full year of 2019, the total return was 1.73%.

Multifamily properties performed best among the four major commercial property types with a total return of 9.81 % over 12 months. The other property types of industrial, office and retail followed. The total returns were 9.34 %, 9.08 %, and 8.79 %, respectively.

Income contributed 1.10 % and price subtracted 0.55 % in the fourth quarter, which was the first quarter of negative price movement since the third quarter of 2018.

“Treasury yields – which move inversely with prices – reversed their downward course slightly in the fourth quarter to generate negative price performance, said Russell Hughes, head of data consortia initiatives at Trepp. “The yield on the 10-year Treasury had climbed up 24 basis points over the quarter,” Hughes said.

“Conversely, in the first quarter of 2020, we see that the coronavirus fears are sending the Treasury headed towards zero. If that steep decline continues, there will be a profound swing back in the Q1 results,” Hughes said.

For 2019, income contributed 4.45 % while price added 4.84 %. Declining Treasury yields over the 12-month period drove the price gain; the yield on the 10-year Treasury ended the period 77 basis points lower.

There are approximately 7,500 active loans in the LifeComps Index with an aggregate principal balance of $147 billion, which represents about a third of the life insurance commercial mortgage market. The weighted average duration is 5.5 years and average reported loan-to-value is 52 %.

For more information, contact Trepp at press@trepp.com or 212.754.1010. Visit http://www.Trepp.com for more information on LifeComps or download our brochure here.

About LifeComps™

The LifeComps™ Commercial Mortgage Loan Index is the only published benchmark for the private commercial mortgage market based on actual mortgage loan cash flow and performance data which has been collected quarterly from participating life insurance companies since 1966. LifeComps provides a quantifiable investment performance index and serves as a benchmark for privately held commercial real estate mortgages.

Trepp

Trepp, founded in 1979, is a leading provider of data, analytics, and technology solutions to the global securities and investment management industries. Trepp specifically serves three key sectors: structured finance, commercial real estate, and banking to help market participants meet their objectives for surveillance, credit risk management, and investment performance. Trusted by the industry for the accuracy of its proprietary data, Trepp provides clients with sophisticated, comprehensive models and analytics. Trepp is wholly owned by Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT).

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AssuredPartners Announces Acquisition of Group Alternatives, Inc.


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AssuredPartners President and COO Tom Riley stated, “We are excited to add the team of Group Alternatives into our Employee Benefits structure. We will continue to grow our presence through Illinois while adding to our national employee benefits resources.”

AssuredPartners, Inc. announced the acquisition of Group Alternatives, Inc. located in Downers Grove, IL. The dedicated team of 10 will remain under the operational leadership of Mike Baker; in addition, the agency reports current revenues estimated at $3 million annually.

Mike Baker of Group Alternatives, Inc. stated, “Since our founding in 1989, it has been our focus to aid employers in establishing and maintaining high-quality employee benefit programs. Joining AssuredPartners will allow our clients to work with our existing team in addition to being supported by an industry leader.”

AssuredPartners Agency President Bill Hayes stated, “The addition of Group Alternatives will strengthen our employee benefits operations. This partnership will continue to deliver the highest level of service with the best solutions for our clients. We welcome the team to AssuredPartners.”

“We feel that Group Alternatives is a skilled and knowledgeable partner. They value providing objective solutions and strategies for their clients and we look forward to collaborating with their team of experts,” stated AssuredPartners Regional President Todd Stocksdale.

AssuredPartners President and COO Tom Riley stated, “We are excited to add the team of Group Alternatives into our Employee Benefits structure. We will continue to grow our presence through Illinois while adding to our national employee benefits resources.”

For more information on Group Alternatives, Inc., please visit: http://www.groupalt.com.

ABOUT ASSUREDPARTNERS, INC

Headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida and led by Jim Henderson and Tom Riley, AssuredPartners, Inc. acquires and invests in insurance brokerage businesses (property and casualty, employee benefits, surety and MGU’s) across the United States and in London. From its founding in March of 2011, AssuredPartners has grown to over $1.5 billion in annualized revenue and continues to be one of the fastest growing insurance brokerage firms in the United States with over 180 offices in 30 states and London. For more information, please contact Dean Curtis, CFO, at 407.708.0031 or dean.curtis@assuredpartners.com, or visit http://www.assuredpartners.com.

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Scott Royal Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Westat


Westat CEO and President, Scott Royal, Ph.D.

“Scott has brought strong leadership, management, and business development acumen to our company,” said Dr. Smith. “He is well positioned to lead Westat as we continue to address our clients’ needs and apply our expertise to new opportunities in the years ahead.”

The Westat Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Scott Royal, Ph.D., who has served as President since November 2017, is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective March 16, 2020, replacing CEO James E. Smith, Ph.D., who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

“Scott has brought strong leadership, management, and business development acumen to our company,” said Dr. Smith. “He is well positioned to lead Westat as we continue to address our clients’ needs and apply our expertise to new opportunities in the years ahead.”

Dr. Royal holds a doctorate and master’s degree from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. His career spans 25+ years working in mission-driven, professional services firms specializing in health, social and economic policy, and education.

“I am honored to take on this new role and look forward to working closely with Westat’s Board of Directors, managers, and staff of our employee-owned company,” said Dr. Royal. “I have been impressed by the passion, precision, and innovation our employees bring to our work every day. It is a privilege to lead this dedicated team into what will be an exciting new chapter for Westat.”

About Westat (http://www.westat.com)

Westat provides innovative professional services support to clients in addressing challenges to improve outcomes in health, education, social policy, and transportation. We are dedicated to improving lives through research.

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How To Get Cheap Car Insurance For Teen Drivers


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“Car insurance doesn’t have to be expensive for teen drivers. There are many smart methods that can help teen drivers save money on car insurance”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com has launched a new blog post that explains how teen drivers can obtain cheaper car insurance rates.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/how-to-get-cheaper-car-insurance-for-teens/

Teen drivers pay some of the highest car insurance premiums. Insurance providers classify teen drivers as high-risk and charge them extra. The reasons for that is the lack of previous driving experience and the fact that teens are more likely to get involved in car accidents.

Teen drivers who want to pay less on car insurance should follow the next tips:

  • Get a good student discount. Insurance companies consider that students who do well in school are more responsible and less likely to be involved in car accidents. For these reasons, teen drivers who have a 3.0 GPA or higher can qualify for a good student discount.
  • Get on the family plan. Staying on the family plan can be cheaper for teen drivers than going on a separate policy. Teen drivers can take advantage of several discounts such as multi-car or multi-policy discounts. However, some insurance companies will rate a teen driver on all the vehicles covered by the policy. In many cases, the premiums paid on a family plan will become more expensive than the premiums paid on separate policies. it’s good to do research before adding a teen driver to a family policy.
  • Graduate a defensive driving course. Insurance companies offer a discount of ten to fifteen percent to those teen drivers who manage to attend and graduate an approved defensive driving course. These courses take from four to eight hours to complete and they can be ordered online. Besides gaining a substantial discount, teen drivers will also learn how to become better drivers.
  • Get online quotes. Teen drivers can obtain better insurance rates if they compare multiple quotes. Brokerage websites can help teen drivers obtain multiple car insurance offers from multiple insurers. Teen drivers can sit in the comfort of their homes while they are simulating different insurance plans.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com/

Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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The Most Common Reasons For Car Insurance Claims In The U.S.


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“Thefts and minor accidents are among the most common filed claims by policyholders. Policyholders that don’t want to have their premiums increased should avoid filing claims for minor damage”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents the most common car insurance claims.

For more info and free car insurance quotes online, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-most-common-auto-insurance-claims-in-the-united-states/

Many drivers can have questions regarding on what car insurance claims are more likely to be filed at the insurers. It is good to know in what car accidents where a driver is involved it is necessary to file a claim.

The following are the most common car insurance claims in the US:

  • Minor accidents. Accidents like fender benders, where the damage done to a vehicle is minimal and there are no injuries, are among the most common filed claims. Even if these types of claims are common and the insurers don’t have to pay too much, the premiums of the policyholders that file such claims will rise anyway, especially if multiple claims are filed in a short period of time. To avoid paying more on their premiums, drivers should support paying the minor damages done to their vehicles from their own pockets.
  • Windshield damage. It takes just a rock to kick up from another vehicle to smash a windshield. The windshield can also be shattered in an accident. Drivers that carry comprehensive coverage will be reimbursed with the costs to repair or replace the damaged windshield.
  • Vandalism. In some areas, vandalism can be quite common and drivers frequently find that their vehicles got smashed with a baseball bat, keyed, broken into, or vandalized in another way. Comprehensive coverage will reimburse acts of vandalism. However, drivers that file too many claims in a short period of time will have their premiums increased by their insurers.
  • Storm damage. The damage from hail and floods can be quite severe, and there are many cases where vehicles ended up being declared as totaled. Drivers that live in areas where dangerous storms are frequent should take some extra measures to protect their vehicles.
  • Single-vehicle collisions. Collisions with inanimate objects are among the most commonly filed claims. Many unlucky drivers suffered collisions with objects such as street lamps, fence posts, or mailboxes.
  • Whiplash. This type of injury occurs when the neck is jerked forward in a quick motion. It can happen during rear-end collisions or in any type of car accident. Depending on the severity of this injury, victims may require medical care.
  • Theft. Drivers that got their cars stolen will be reimbursed if they have comprehensive coverage. However, they will not get a check with the value of a brand-new vehicle. Instead, they will be reimbursed with the market value of the vehicle at the time it got stolen. If the stolen vehicle was financed, then the policyholder will have to pay the difference between the amount he owes to the bank and the amount the insurer will payout.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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Cyber Armada Adds Christina Tierney as Vice President of Marketing


Christina Tierney, VP Marketing

Christina Tierney, VP Marketing

“She is an expert in planning and executing strategic marketing plans, and her formidable skills will ensure that our core message – the importance of protecting a company’s financial well-being through cyber insurance – reaches those who need it most.”

Cyber Armada, a leading broker for enterprise-class cyber insurance policies, today announced the addition of Christina Tierney to its leadership team. Christina will serve as Vice President of Marketing and lead all strategic and tactical marketing efforts. With over 15 years of client-side and agency-side experience, Tierney provides a unique understanding of how to execute effective marketing programs for maximum impact.

Tierney will spearhead the development of a comprehensive brand strategy for Cyber Armada Insurance to position the company as a premium resource for cyber insurance policies and education. In addition to leading and building out the marketing team, she will partner closely with the company’s sales organization to ensure essential cross-functional communication and positive marketing program performance.

“We are elated that Christina Tierney has joined our team as Vice President of Marketing, where she will be leading our messaging efforts across all media channels,” said Ed Breman, Cyber Armada’s Founder. “Cyber Armada has been purposefully designed as a different kind of insurance agency – one that uses state-of-the-art tools and techniques to keep our clients and potential customers aware of the ever-evolving cyber threats facing them. Christina is the ideal executive to lead this charge; to inform and educate with clarity, professionalism, and yes, style!”

Before joining Cyber Armada, Tierney served in a variety of leadership roles for both corporate and agency organizations, including Red Reef Digital, TouchSuite, and Bright Red/Omnicom. This blended experience has helped her craft and execute highly-consequential marketing strategies, build efficient teams, and drive overall business success.

“Christina is exactly the Swiss Army Knife, get-it-done marketing leader we need to take our business to the next level,” said Steven Years, Cyber Armada’s Principal. “She is an expert in planning and executing strategic marketing plans, and her formidable skills will ensure that our core message – the importance of protecting a company’s financial well-being through cyber insurance – reaches those who need it most.”

About Cyber Armada

Cyber Armada Insurance is the go-to resource for best-in-class cyber risk management advice and insurance. We enable businesses to understand cyber risk, what’s financially at stake and how to navigate the cyber insurance market. We guide our clients through evaluation, preparedness, policy selection and, if needed, post-breach support. For more information, visit cyber-armada.com or call 1-888-727-6232.

PRESS CONTACT:

Christina Tierney

VP Marketing

Cyber Armada Insurance

888.727.6232 X 704

christina.tierney@cyber-armada.com

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