When it comes to protecting your insurance agency from cyber threats, the basics still matter. More than you might think. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involved data stored in the cloud, and most could’ve been prevented with basic cyber hygiene practices.
Think of cyber hygiene like brushing your teeth—not glamorous, but absolutely essential. Especially if you're handling sensitive client data, quoting policies, or transmitting claims files every day. If your agency skips these foundational protections, you're putting your entire book of business at risk.
For Salt Lake City insurance professionals, here are four cyber hygiene practices that can’t be ignored:
1. Lock Down Your Network Like It’s a Client File Cabinet
You wouldn’t leave a client’s policy folder sitting open on your front desk. So don’t leave your agency’s digital doors unlocked either.
Use enterprise-grade firewalls to protect your agency’s WiFi network. Hide your SSID and lock your router down with strong passwords. Make sure every producer working remotely is connecting through a secure VPN.
Most importantly, encrypt any sensitive client data—including PII, policy records, and payment details. These are the digital crown jewels of your insurance operation.
At Qual IT, our managed IT services for Salt Lake City insurance agencies include full network audits and firewall configurations that keep your digital perimeter tight.
2. Train Your Team to Be a Human Firewall
Mark, you already know this: one wrong click from a staff member can expose your agency to a cyberattack. That’s why every producer, processor, and CSR needs to know the basics of safe digital behavior.
Train your team on password management, email phishing awareness, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and safe web browsing policies. Even a 10-minute monthly training can make a world of difference.
Need help? We provide phishing simulations and employee training tailored specifically for insurance teams right here in Salt Lake City.
3. Back Up Client Data Like Your Reputation Depends on It (Because It Does)
Whether you’re running an AMS like Applied Epic or a CRM with deep policyholder history, that data is the lifeblood of your agency.
Back it up. Automatically. Regularly.
You should have cloud-based backups, plus local storage redundancy. At Qual IT, we set up automated, encrypted backups and test your recovery process so you can sleep at night knowing that a ransomware attack won’t grind your agency to a halt.
4. Don’t Let Everyone Access Everything
Access control matters. Your receptionist doesn’t need admin access to your agency’s client database. Your part-time producer shouldn’t be able to download financial reports.
Limiting user access is a must. Only give access to the systems and files necessary for each role. Offboarding? Make sure former employees are removed from all logins and data platforms immediately.
We’ll help you implement secure role-based permissions and admin protocols that work for the insurance industry—not generic IT fixes.
Cybersecurity May Feel Like a Hassle, But the Cost of Ignoring It Is Worse
We get it. You're running quotes, managing renewals, handling compliance deadlines—you don't have time to babysit your tech. But investing in cyber hygiene now prevents outages, fines, and client loss later.
The truth is, insurance clients in Salt Lake are becoming more tech-savvy. They expect their data to be protected. A security breach doesn’t just risk financial loss—it undermines client trust and your professional credibility.
Want to Know Where Your Agency Stands?
Our free Cybersecurity Network Assessment is designed specifically for insurance firms in Salt Lake City. We’ll identify weak points, show you where your compliance could fail, and give you a clear roadmap to protect your agency.
Click here to book your FREE Network Assessment with Qual IT.
Stay secure. Stay compliant. Stay competitive.
