What is Cyber Liability Insurance, and Why Companies in Kansas and Missouri Need It? 
By Dan Bukaty

What is Cyber Liability Insurance for Kansas and Missouri Businesses?
Cyber insurance provides significant financial relief from the costs associated with computer hacking events, data breaches, ransomware, and related computer system failures.

Previously referred to as Data Breach Insurance or Network Security Insurance, early policies were created to anticipate the liability a company could face for negligently passing along a computer virus to another business or consumer.

Cyber insurance coverage has since evolved to address today's sophisticated computer security threats, including ransomware, transfer fraud, and cyber blackmail.

Every business has a cyber exposure. Nearly all successful cyber attacks target human error. More than 1,000 cyber attacks are reported to the FBI daily.  When will your business be attacked? How much will it cost? Do you have a response and recovery plan ready to launch when an attack begins?

Is Your Kansas or Missouri Business Ready for a Ransomware Attack?
Ransomware is a form of software that takes control of a computer rendering it inoperable. Data on the hard drive becomes inaccessible.

It's typically introduced into a computer when its user is tricked into opening an email infected with the software. Once launched, the software installs itself on the computer's operating system. Even the best computer technicians are unable to restore the machine or retrieve its data. The user is forced to pay a ransom to regain access to their device.

Once the ransom is paid, often with bitcoin, the cyber hacker provides a passcode that releases control of the machine. The user must then have the computer professionally serviced to remove all traces of the ransomware software.

Ransomware has become a popular money-making scheme for cyberthieves. The software is readily available for purchase in the darkest corners of the internet. It takes little skill to deploy. Success depends on an inattentive user clicking a camouflaged link within what appears to be a routine email.  Data kidnappers operating in anonymity on the internet, face little chance of being apprehended.  This explains why ransomware attacks are reported every 40 seconds.

What Does Cyber Insurance Cover?
Many insurance carriers now offer cyber insurance. However, most policies have quickly become outdated. They are woefully inadequate to address today's complex cyber risks. Best-in-class policies now include robust, adaptable coverages that respond to a continually growing catalog of threats. Today's preferred coverage enhancements include many of the following.

Claims Examples
Recently, a single ransomware attack paralyzed the computer systems of more than 100 businesses in the Midwest. Initially, hackers infiltrated an IT vendor's computer network. From there, they penetrated the computer systems of more than 100 of the vendor's customers. Until they paid the hacker's ransom, each customer was denied access to their computers, data, and servers. It took weeks for some businesses to recover fully. Firewalls and anti-virus software proved ineffective.

Take Action Today to Buy Cyber Liability Insurance
The computer programming tools necessary to bring your business to a standstill are widely available on the internet. Today's cybercriminals operate with impunity in many foreign countries. Don't go it alone when a cyber threat arises. When you are insured through Bukaty Property & Casualty Services, you have unlimited access to knowledgeable cyber professionals. We help our clients understand the risks they face, and we provide proven solutions to advance favorable outcomes. To learn more, email us today at service@bukatyagency.com.

Useful Links for Additional Information on Cyber Liability Insurance

What is Ransomware and How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks.

10 Ways to Prevent Cyber Attacks.

 Cyber Attack Prevention Plan

The counties and cities where we sell Cyber Liability Insurance in Kansas & Missouri:

Kansas Counties & Cities

• Douglas County: Baldwin City, Eudora, Lawrence, Lecompton.

• Franklin County: Lane, Ottawa, Pomona, Princeton, Rantoul, Richmond, Wellsville, Williamsburg.

• Jefferson County: McLouth, Meriden, Nortonville, Oskaloosa, Ozawkie, Perry, Valley Falls, Winchester.

• Johnson County: De Soto, Edgerton, Gardner, Leawood, Lenexa, Mission, New Century, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Spring Hill, Stilwell.

• Leavenworth County: Basehor, Bonner Springs, De Soto, Easton, Kansas City, Lansing, Leavenworth, Linwood, Tonganoxie.

• Linn County: Blue Mound, La Cygne, Linn Valley, Mound City, Parker, Pleasanton, Prescott.

• Miami County: Fontana, Louisburg, Osawatomie, Paola, Spring Hill.

• Shawnee County: Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, Topeka, Willard.

• Wyandotte County: Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, Kansas City Kansas, Lake Quivira.

Missouri Counties & Cities

• Cass County: Archie, Belton, Cleveland, Creighton, Drexel, East Lynne, Freeman, Garden City, Harrisonville, Kansas City, Lake Annette, Lake Winnebago, Lee’s Summit, Peculiar, Pleasant Hill, Raymore, Strasburg.

• Clay County: Avondale, Birmingham, Claycomo, Ectonville, Excelsior Estates, Excelsior Springs, Gladstone, Glenaire, Holt, Kansas City, Kearney, Lawson, Liberty, Missouri City, Mosby, North Kansas City, Oaks, Oakview, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, Pleasant Valley, Prathersville, Randolph, Smithville, Sugar Creek.
  

• Jackson County: Blue Springs, Buckner, Grain Valley, Grandview, Greenwood, Independence, Kansas City, Lake Lotawana, Lake Tapawingo, Lee’s Summit, Levasy, Lone Jack, Oak Grove, Sugar Creek.
  

• Platte County: Camden Point, Dearborn, Edgerton, Houston Lake, Kansas City, Lake Waukomis, Northmoor, Parkville, Platte City, Platte Woods, Riverside, Smithville, Tracy, Weatherby Lake, Weston.