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People have the potential to be an organisation’s best defence against cyber threats and fraud. This is especially true as companies continue to embrace work-from-home models and hybrid office and remote working structures.

With perimeter security lines blurred, more people being left to their own devices, and most cyber threats leveraging the human factor, building a cyber secure culture should be at the heart of effective cyber risk management.

“Many cybercriminals target individuals through malware and phishing scams, putting employees on the frontline of the fight against cybercrime. It is evident in the scourge of cybercrime since March that work-from-home models have made companies, their people and their data vulnerable. However, suppose cyber security is a culture within your organisation. In that case, it does not matter whether your employees at the office, at home or a bit of both,” says Charl Ueckermann, who has recently been appointed as Group CEO at AVeS Cyber International.

Inculcating a cyber secure culture has its roots in training staff on the dos and the don’ts around their use of technology and data resources. Yet, many companies are not providing ongoing cyber security training, despite the increased risks associated with remote working.

A survey by Malwarebytes, Enduring from home: Covid-19’s impact on business security, showed that 44% of companies did not provide cyber security training focused on the potential threats of working from home and 55% of company leaders cited the need to train employees on how to securely work at home as the top challenge.

“The dilemma is that cyber security is a difficult concept to grasp. People struggle to believe in what they cannot smell, taste or feel. Similarly, the average user of technology cannot hear, see, smell, touch, and taste cyber threats. They feel removed and untouched by them. That is until they are impacted by a cyber incident, data breach, fraud or identity theft.

“That is why developing a cyber secure culture, where everyone at every level of the organisation buys-into and participates in the cyber security strategy, is more effective than merely having a tick-box approach to cyber security awareness training. When cyber security becomes a culture in an organisation, two things happen: employees understand their role in the cyber security strategy, and they know how management expects them to respond to incidents.

“Culture is developed from strongly held value systems that are strategically supported. When safety forms part of your business values, your business continuity, the integrity of your data and sustainability of your business becomes a culture. These values must be driven from the top and be reinforced by both structure and strategy to ultimately shape employee perceptions and behaviour.

“Management plays an instrumental role in shaping and sustaining a strong cyber secure culture. If a company’s leadership does not buy into the importance of a cyber secure culture, it is unlikely that employees will,” explains Ueckermann.

Citing a 2020 Gartner report The Urgency to Treat Cybersecurity as a Business Decision, says company leaders are realising globally that they need to change how they approach cyber security and risk management.

“For decades, IT and business have been separated, with few senior managers or execs understanding the impact that cyber security, or lack thereof, had on the business. This is changing, and company leaders realise that cyber security is not solely a technological issue. It is a business issue that can’t simply be addressed with a few add-on solutions. It must be integrated and aligned with the business objectives. People, processes and technology all work together to form a secure culture.”

Ueckermann concludes: “Inculcating a cyber secure culture can create a stronger defence against cyber threats than the most robust technologies or any single policy or procedure. Start building a robust cyber secure culture by embracing cyber security as a core business value, making it a key organisational priority, and reinforcing its importance through ongoing communication, clearly defining policies and procedures, and investing in training.”

For queries or quotes regaring Cyber Risk Insurance please contact our offices via the following methods:
Tel:                   0315021922
whatsapp:        0824508720
e-mail:              andrew@esbrokers.co.za
Website:           www.esbrokers.co.za

Article courtesy of IT on line,  by Charles Uechermann

After more than seven months of one of lockdowns, South African businesses have shown that they can adapt to dramatically changed circumstances.

As the country moves between different levels of lockdown, circumstances continue to change, and business continue to adjust.

An easily recognisable pivot, for instance, was that of clothing manufacturers who started producing cloth masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers and the general public. However, in most scenarios where businesses pivot, their risk profile change, and their insurance requirements also change.

Here are a few scenarios and how they would change a business insurance risk profile:

A clothing store that switched to an online distribution model

Switching to an online distribution model carries new risk related to how you store your customers’ data, particularly considering the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

From 1 July 2020, South African companies have less than one year to ensure compliance with POPIA, which targets the containment of negligent usage or the misuse of personal data, as well as the protection of privacy rights.

A restaurant that started incorporating deliveries to replace sit-down meals

The restaurant would have to buy delivery vehicles such as motorbikes to deliver the meals. It would have to contact its broker or insurer to add the delivery vehicles to its insured assets and would also need to take out the appropriate vehicle insurance to cover the increased risk due to the change in profile of the business.

Physical addition of perspex dividers and security gates to reinforce physical distancing

The additions of perspex dividers and security gate could potentially improve the security profile of the business. It is extremely important to advise your broker or insurer of additions and alterations to the insured property, while the contractor is on site as well as making sure that the appropriate short-term insurance cover is in place during the alterations, in complying with Covid-19 regulations.

Furniture companies which saw increased sales during the lockdown

As more people started working from home, the sales of furniture such as chairs and office desks spiked. Furniture companies would have had to contact their broker or insurer to advise them of a change in order frequency as well as the increased stock kept in storage. These companies may also have had to increase their transit insurance since the furniture remains the liability of the company until it is delivered to the buyer.

Companies who pivoted to use their vehicles for deliveries

If companies were specifically now offering their vehicles as delivery vehicles on behalf of other companies and not just for own use, they would need to advise their broker or insurer of the change in use of vehicle as well as take out transit insurance for any goods that they transport.

The overall effect of the new work-from-home policies is that previously there were some assets that were typically kept at work such as printers or desktop computers.

If you have now given your employee permission to take and use those assets at home, you have to inform your broker or insurer so they can extend the cover on those assets to all risks cover or extend the policy to cover these assets while they are in the possession of your employees.

The world in which your business operates and the way in which it operates is going to change faster than ever before. Just as your business had to adapt to a ‘new normal’, you need to regularly step back, reassess your risk and make sure that you adapt your insurance so that you are correctly and adequately covered.

For assistance with identifying the risks facing your profile please contact us on any of the following methods:
* Telephone  0315021922
* Whatsapp   0824508720
* Email           andrew@esbrokers.co.za
* Website       www.esbrokers.co.za

Article featured in Insurance on line, written by Malesela Maupa, Head of Product and Insurer Relationships at FNB Insurance Brokers

1. Register your account

·       Simply go to the eHomeAffairs website and register.

·       Create a profile

·       Answer the security questions

·       Create a password

·       Capture the OTP (one-time pin) sent to your cellphone

·       Finally, attach a copy of your ID

2. Make payment

·       Enter your bank account details on the eHomeAffairs site.

·       You will then be required to log in to your internet banking to authorise the payment.

·       Log in to your internet banking account: go to the “My Bills” option under “Payments” to initiate the payment instruction.

·       Add the Department of Home Affairs as a beneficiary, and a payment instruction will appear under “My Bills”.

·       Finally, enter your reference number and approve the R400 payment to the Department of Home Affairs.

3. Record your biometrics

Option 1: Home Affairs Branch

·       Once the Department of Home Affairs has registered your payment you will be eligible to proceed with your biometrics data – two thumbprints, a photo and your signature.

·       You do not need to make an appointment at Home Affairs. Simply go to your local branch to have your biometrics done.

·       You will need to take your ID book with you to the Home Affairs branch.

Option 2: Home Affairs-Equipped Bank Branch

·       Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria residents can make an appointment for their biometrics at their local bank branch once their payment has been registered (see below).

·       You will be given a choice of time slots. Once you’ve selected a time slot, you will be sent a confirmation via SMS and email.

·       Take your ID book and confirmation email or SMS with you when going to your local bank branch.

4. Wait for an SMS or email

You will receive a notification that your passport is ready for collection at the Home Affairs or bank branch where your biometrics were captured.

When to apply for your passport:

Most countries require that travellers have at least six months validity on their passport beyond their date of departure. Therefore, you are advised to apply for or renew your South African passport at least six months in advance.

Passport fees:

First-time application for a passport: R400

Application for a new passport (with old passport): R400

Application for a new passport (if passport is lost): R800

South African Passport application requirements:

·       A copy of your ID

·       Passport fee

·       Your old passport (if you have one)

With eHomeAffairs services available, your South African passport application and passport renewal process should prove to be a simple and easy task to do before booking your flight to your dream destination.

Biometrics equipped bank branches:

Don’t forget to book your Travel Insurance. Our COVID Travel Insurance (max 31 day cover) is available through ES Brokers.
www.esbrokers.co.za

Article courtesy of Travelstart by Mandy Alexander – dated 5 September 2018

The backlog with issuing drivers’ licences has left many people concerned that their car insurance would not pay in case of damage if they do not have valid drivers’ licences.

It would appear that most of the country’s vehicle insurers are willing to give consumers the benefit of the doubt for now, if they happen to get involved in a fender bender while driving without a valid licence.

Hard lockdown measures that were in force since 26 March 2020 meant that any licences and permits requiring renewal could not be processed.

Fikile Mbalula, minister of transport, published guidelines on 20 May 2020 in terms of the Disaster Management Act which offered a validity extension to all licence and permit-holders who could not apply for renewals between 26 March and 31 May.

Licencing and driving licence test centres were only allowed to operate again from 1 June, with many operating at reduced capacity while working through the backlog of applications. A further extension has not been announced, while the number of expired licences and permits increase, meaning that more people will be using the country’s roads without valid licences.

In response, Natasha Kawulesar, head of client relations at Outsurance, says when its clients are in possession of a driver’s licence that they have been unable to renew timeously, their claims will not be impacted.

“We will settle claims where the only point of concern is a recently expired driver’s licence. Drivers and vehicle owners will therefore be recognised as legally licenced should they need to claim against a Discovery Insure insurance plan, provided they are in possession of a valid licence, albeit expired.”

Marius Neethling, personal line underwriting manager at Santam, says in line with government regulations regarding the validity period of driving licences, Santam has made a concession to regard all driving licences and permits that have expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 as valid until 31 January 2021 for purposes of its insurance contracts.

“Once the authenticity of the expired licence has been established, the claim may be handled as if the licence card was still valid.”

“The short answer,” says King Price’s client experience partner Wynand van Vuuren, “is that an expired license because of Covid-19 will not affect your cover. The important issue is the principle of ‘causal nexus’, which means the reason for a claim rejection must be directly linked to the cause of the accident. Just make sure the vehicle is always roadworthy and there are no additional factors that can cause or contribute to an accident.”

Old Mutual’s insurance expert, Christelle Colman, says Old Mutual Insure is fully aware of the delays in the renewal of drivers’ licenses because of the administration backlog in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown period.

“As a result each policyholder’s personal circumstances will be considered at the time of an accident while firmly supporting the principles of Treating Customers Fairly, as well as the various conditions contained in the policy wording. We will therefore treat each claim on its own merits in a fair and equitable manner,” she says.

Rudolf Britz, chief actuary at Momentum Short-term Insurance, says Momentum’s stance is that an individual with an expired license card is still licensed to drive as the document has just expired.

“Therefore we would deem such an individual as adequately licensed and honour the claim as long as all other criteria set out in the policy agreement are met.”

For any queries please contact our offices on 031 5021922 or visit our website www.esbrokers.co.za

Article featured in the Citizen under the personal finance section, written by Ina Opperman

San Francisco - Cybersecurity company McAfee on Thursday said it saw an average of 419 new threats per minute as overall new malware samples grew by 11.5 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

The global impact of Covid-19 prompted cybercriminals to adjust their cybercrime campaigns to lure victims with pandemic themes and exploit the realities of a workforce working from home, said the "McAfee Threats Report: November 2020."

Over the course of Q2, McAfee saw a 605 per cent increase in Covid-19-related attack detections compared to Q1.

A significant proliferation in malicious Donoff Microsoft Office documents attacks propelled new PowerShell malware increase 117 per cent, said the report.

"The second quarter of 2020 saw continued developments in innovative threat categories such as PowerShell malware and the quick adaptation by cybercriminals to target organisations through employees working from remote environments," said Raj Samani, McAfee fellow and chief scientist.

"What began as a trickle of phishing campaigns and the occasional malicious app quickly turned into a deluge of malicious URLs, attacks on cloud users and capable threat actors leveraging the world's thirst for more information on COVID-19 as an entry mechanism into systems across the globe."

McAfee assesses the state of the cyber threat landscape each quarter based on research, investigative analysis, and threat data gathered by the McAfee Global Threat Intelligence cloud from over a billion sensors across multiple threat vectors around the world.

The cybersecurity company observed nearly 7.5 million external attacks on cloud user accounts.

This is based on the aggregation and anonymisation of cloud usage data from more than 30 million McAfee MVISION cloud users worldwide during the second quarter of 2020.

After growing 26 per cent in Q1, new Coinmining malware increased 25 per cent over the previous quarter sustained by the popularity of new Coinmining applications, said the report.

McAfee said it counted 561 publicly disclosed security incidents in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 22 per cent from Q1.

Disclosed incidents targeting North America decreased 30 per cent over the previous quarter.

These incidents decreased 47 per cent in the US, but increased 25 per cent in Canada and 29 per cent in the UK, said the report.

For assistance with Cyber crime insurance or funds protect, please contact us on wwww.esbrokers.co.za

Article featured in Insurance On Line By IANS 

Navigating the murky waters of financial planning in your 20s is no easy task. With the economy perennially in a state of flux and debt on the rise, maintaining a healthy financial life has proven to be even more challenging. We spoke to some finance gurus and experts to glean from them the following that could throw ideas and provide some relief:

5 Tips:

   1.Save. This money is not for immediate use, it isn’t even for foreseeable use. This  money is for the long-term, and can be diversified through a number of different investments and unit trusts. These banking faculties ensure that the money you’re putting away is reaching its maximum potential and will serve you well, when the need for it arises. The amount being saved will depend on monthly income and expenses. Increasing this as you progress to each stage of life is recommended and will serve you well when the time comes to reap these rewards.

Being in your 20s can be exhilarating and terrifying all at once. The events of your 20s are a significant factor in how you approach the rest of your life. The one thing you want to make sure is that your finances are in order. Debt globally is the highest that it has ever been, and the economy is in recession. Preparing now makes sure that you weather the storm. With calmer seas, you’ll reap the rewards instead of being stranded with no lifeline. Let your finances be one of the things you do well in your 20s.

Article published in Forbes Africa by Simone Sribrath

South African First National Bank (FNB) customers will now be able to renew their car licences online, as well as address other car maintenance needs through the bank's new nav>> Car applet within the main FNB mobile app.

The new section within the app was launched today. It follows the launch of nav>> Home, which was unveiled last year to help users value their house and sell it. FNB says half a million customers have already used the Home applet.

nav>> Car has a few options within the applet which was created in collaboration with WesBank to reduce customer 'angst' surrounding car ownership.

"Car owners in South Africa would appreciate the support of services that make vehicle ownership easier and keep them safer on our roads. The nav>> Car solution makes navigating the roads that much simpler for our customers by addressing several pain points through access to a range of features and solutions via the FNB app," says nav>> chief imagineer Joland'e Duvenage.

For seamless car licence renewal, users need to first scan their disc using the app. Then for a fee of R199, the bank will proactively let users know when their disc is going to expire, fill out the application form, pay for the disc (and fines) in app and have the new disc delivered to the user's door.

Other features include in-app fine payments, specs on display of all the owner's cars, finance documents access (if the vehicle was financed through WesBank), and free instant car value estimates.

FNB nav>> Car also has a subscription option, called 'On-road PROTECT', which costs R95 a month and gives users up to five licence disc renewals with free delivery, have their fines negotiated on their behalf for discounts, 24/7 bail assistance at roadblocks, and Road Accident Fund claim and tyre repair claim assistance due to pothole damage. 

If you found value in this post, you would benefit from our other daily content posted on our website blog www.esbrokers.co.za/blog , as well as facebook, Instagram and Linkedin pages.

By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.

The average time it takes for a company to identify and contain a cybersecurity breach is 280 days according to IBM.

With that in mind, we would like to pose a question. Would you be able to identify that your work notebook has been breached in less time?

For those who answered yes, we’re a little bit suspicious but we trust your judgement. For those who answered no, like ourselves, it would serve you well to consider the headline here once again.

Stop using your work notebook or PC for personal things.

This is not a scolding but rather us sharing information with our readers that has been sent to Hypertext by Mimecast.

The email security firm has released a report that takes a look at how employees are using company-issued devices and it is worrying. The report was compiled following interviews with 1 000 respondents in the UK, US, Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Canada and United Arab Emirates. All respondents work in a company that have 100 or more employees and have a company-issued device for work.

The headline here is that as regards South Africa, 74 percent of respondents “extensively use their company-issued device for personal matters”. Of that figure, 60 percent said that the frequency with which they use their company device for personal matters increased since working from home.

Mimecast’s report reveals what activities folks admitted to using their work devices for. These include:

·       Personal email – 66 percent

·       Financial transactions – 52 percent

·       Online shopping – 51 percent

What boggles the mind here however is the following excerpt from Minecast’s press release.

“68 percent of South African respondents said there was a risk to checking personal email as the cause of a serious security mistake, and 70% thought surfing the web or online shopping could likely cause an incident,” Mimecast wrote.

We’re not angry, just mightily disappointed that despite knowing the risks, folks still ignore the rules.

“This research shows that while there is a lot of awareness training offered, most of training content and frequency is completely ineffective at winning the hearts and minds of employees to reduce today’s cyber security risks,” says vice president of threat intelligence at Mimecast, Josh Douglas.

“Better training is crucial to avoid putting any organisation at risk. Employees need to be engaged, and trainings need to be short, visual, relevant and include humour to make the message resonate,” added Douglas.

Most concerning is that the more tech-savvy respondents who fall into the 16 – 24 age group were as unabashed, if not more, about using company gear for personal matters compared to older people.

A staggering 73 percent of 16 – 24 year old respondents admitted to opening emails even though they looked suspicious.

As we mentioned at the top of this piece, it takes months, and even years to detect a breach and by visiting ultimatecattoysandtotallynotmalwaredelivery.com on your work computer, you are putting your company at risk.

“With everyone’s home becoming their new office, classroom and place of residence, it’s not really a surprise that employees are using their company-issued devices for personal use. However, this is also a big opportunity for threat actors to target victims in new ways. We’ve seen attacks become more aggressive and the attack surface has expanded due to the new ‘WFH’ or hybrid work environments,” adds Douglas.

While it might seem innocent to check your mail and do a bit of online shopping while you’re at work or using your work computer, the risk of clicking a link you shouldn’t is immense.

Article featured in Hypertext by Brendyn Lotz

An accident can leave your car (and pocket) wrecked or with only minor damage. Either way, you will more than likely need the services of a reputable motor body repairer to get your car back in shape.

Richard Green, national director of the South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says to avoid any unhappy surprises later on, it is important to ask the right questions upfront. 

Who is going to repair the damage will be the last thing on your mind if you’re involved in an accident. Priorities on the scene are things like checking for injuries, getting the other driver’s details, finding out if anyone witnessed the accident and speaking to your insurance company.

In truth, the scene of an accident is often chaotic. Before you know it your car is towed away – to who knows where really – without you having a clue what the actual damage is.” Tow truck companies will often refer a motorist to certain workshops for repairs. Green says this is not always due to the high quality of service provided but because tow truck companies receive commission for jobs referred. ”SA motorists involved in accidents should not be forced into making ill-considered decisions. The motorist has the right to choose who should assist in the recovery of the vehicle.

There can be many hidden costs in car repairs, even if you are insured, but you can soften the blow significantly by ensuring you get quality workmanship. 

One way of doing this is to only use an accredited motor body repairer.

A good motor body repairer will fix any external and internal damage to the body and structure of a car, like repairing a bumper, a door, a bonnet, a fender, aligning the structure or respraying. If there is any mechanical work to be done, most reputable repairers have a specialist mechanic on site that can tend to any accident related mechanical repairs. 

Any motor body repairer worth their salt will expect customers to ask questions and be able to put their minds at ease with comprehensive answers. 

Six important questions to ask your motor body repairer

1.  Which automotive associations does your business belong to, and is your business an accredited member of that association?

2.  Does the company have a good reputation and do you use authentic, high-quality parts and materials?  Do your research and check the social channels for satisfied or disgruntled customer comments.

3.  Will you supply me with a detailed description of repairs and what methods will be used to repair my car?

4.  How experienced is the team who will be working on my car?

5.  Do you offer a guarantee on workmanship, paint and parts?

6.  How long will it take to repair my car and will you keep me posted when delays occur? 

Ultimately, the owner wants their car repaired professionally and without it losing any value – as, unfortunately, any accident repair is deemed to cause depreciation. This is why issues of good workmanship, new and factory approved repair parts and fair pricing, as well as quick turnaround on repairs is what consumers should request and expect. By using an accredited repairer with SAMBRA, you know they can be held accountable for the quality of workmanship and that you have recourse from RMI or the Ombudsman if things go wrong

To find out if your chosen panel beater is SAMBRA approved please visit our website www.esbrokers.co.za

Written by Richard Green, South African motor body repairers Association (SAMBRA) 

As the effects of climate change become more evident, heavier storms are experienced.

Summer is approaching, and so traditionally does South Africa’s annual rainfall frequency.

As the effects of climate change become more evident, heavier storms are experienced.

 Regardless of the season, the onus is on the homeowner or policyholder to review their policy at least every six months.

A homeowner must ensure that the updated policy conditions are read and understood and that the renewal terms, including the sum insured and premium, are relative to the current replacement value of the property insured.

Home maintenance obligations are indicated in brochures and in the policy renewal, and with the onset of summer, now is a good time to review the condition of your home.

TIPS ON BETTER HOME MAINTENANCE

Gutters
• Clean your gutters. During winter, gutters, drains and valleys can become clogged by leaves, which prevent water from flowing freely. Overflow can result in water entering the roof, causing internal damages to ceilings and other internal structures.

Roofs
• As temperatures fall and rise, metal roofs expand and contract, loosening screws and washers. These need replacement at least twice a year. Joins and laps between roof sheets also need to be resealed for protection against rust.
• Tiled or slate roofs are prone to loose or missing tiles. Ridge tiles should be secured and any cracked or missing tiles need to be repaired or replaced.
• Flat roofs need sealants checked on a regular basis.
• Thatched roofs need to be replaced every 10 to 20 years, depending on the weather and general roof wear and tear. It is important to install a lightning conductor and cover the thatch with fire protection liquid. Thatch also needs combing every two years.

Pools
• Pool maintenance includes the replacement of sand filters as often as is required, but generally at least once annually or bi-annually depending on pool size and climate.
• Pool lining should be checked frequently for cracks or bubbling as this is a sign that the fibre lining is starting to delaminate.
• Filter the pool for at least eight hours a day in summer.

Pipes and water outlets
• Check for bubbling paint internally and externally, as this is a clear sign of dampness caused by a leaking pipe or a rise in the underlying water table. This can also be caused by water ponding against a wall.
• Structural cracking may also be attributed to leaking pipes. Identifying these can prevent substantial damage to your property.
• Inspect your waste pipes and taps at least once a year to ensure they are properly sealed and watertight.
• Check exposed pipes for signs of rust or wear and tear, and address those issues immediately.
• Signs of mould or damage caused by mould require the use of professional services to identify the cause, and to rectify the problem.

Annual maintenance
• The installation of a timer on your pool pump and geyser, or insulation of your geyser will save a significant amount of electricity. Set the geyser thermostat at 60°C, and not higher.
• Unplug unused appliances and chargers, as these still consume electricity, says the Energy Saving Trust.
• Have a professional clean and sweep your chimney to remove blockages.
• Check windows and doors for deterioration.
• Regularly inspect windows and walls. Repair cracks or leaks as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.
• Watch water consumption. If you see a sudden spike in your water bill usage, contract a plumber or the municipality to investigate. It may be as a result of an underground burst pipe or leak.

Although insurers are unable to check maintenance on all properties insured, it is emphasised in the renewal correspondence that the home owner is responsible to ensure ongoing maintenance.
Policy holders are urged to read their Policy documents carefully.

Article featured in Bedfordview and Edenvale news
Written by Natasha Osman ABSA