When Trust Is Your Business, Cybersecurity Must Be Your Policy—Here’s What’s on Tap
Insurance firms live and die by trust. Clients hand over sensitive information—from health records and policy details to financial data and claim histories—with the expectation that it’ll be protected at all costs.
But cybercriminals see insurance companies as jackpot targets. With high-value Personally Identifiable Information (PII), remote workflows, and cloud-based CRMs becoming the norm, one breach could impact thousands of policyholders, cost millions in recovery, and erode the confidence you’ve spent years building.
That’s why Yeo & Yeo Technology brewed up Brews & Cyberthreats, a memorable way to educate and empower our clients in the insurance space. We’ve paired five of the most dangerous cyberthreats to insurers with five bold brews from Midland Brewing Company in Midland, Michigan. Because when the stakes are this high, the message has to stick.
Here’s what’s on tap, and how to keep your firm secure.
1. Oktoberfest + Ransomware (Bold and Unforgiving)
In insurance, ransomware doesn’t just disrupt, it paralyzes. When your policy management system, claims portals, or underwriting tools are locked down, you’re unable to serve clients, meet deadlines, or comply with regulations.
Why It Hurts:
- Inability to access policyholder data or claims files
- Interruptions to quoting, servicing, and claims processing
- Regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and client attrition
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Backup your systems daily, with both local and secure offsite redundancy
- Use EDR tools that can detect and isolate ransomware early
- Segment internal networks from customer-facing platforms
Why Three Mile Marker Oktoberfest? Like this bold seasonal lager, ransomware doesn’t sneak in quietly. It hits hard, locks you out, and forces a response, fast.
2. Boom Run Oatmeal Stout + Malware (Complex and Hidden)
Insurers manage a complex IT environment, from quoting platforms and claims software to CRM tools and remote workstations. Malware hides in outdated systems or malicious links and can linger undetected, slowly siphoning sensitive data.
Why It Hurts:
- Compromised client PII, health records, or financial data
- Credential theft for claims, billing, or underwriting platforms
- Long-term infections that damage systems and trust
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Patch systems regularly, including third-party tools and legacy apps
- Limit admin access and scan traffic for suspicious payloads
- Use behavioral analytics to catch hidden threats before they spread
Why Boom Run Oatmeal Stout? This rich, layered stout sticks with you like malware that quietly infects your environment over time. It’s a slow burn with serious consequences.
3. Dam Good Beer + Phishing (Deceptively Simple)
Insurance teams move fast, processing claims, responding to clients, and coordinating with carriers. That makes them prime targets for phishing emails disguised as claim updates, underwriting changes, or client requests.
Why It Hurts:
- Leaked client data or compromised login credentials
- Malware installed through fake document links
- Financial loss through fraudulent wire instructions
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Train agents, CSRs, and remote producers on phishing red flags
- Enable MFA on quoting, CRM, and email platforms
- Use email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Why Dam Good Beer? This blonde ale is smooth and easygoing, just like a phishing email that seems legit. But if you’re not careful, one sip or one click can spell trouble.
4. Copper Harbor Ale + Insider Threats (Familiar but Risky)
In an industry built on trust, insider threats can be especially damaging. From a CSR downloading client files to a former producer with access to sensitive systems, internal risk is often overlooked until it’s too late.
Why It Hurts:
- Exposure of claims history, financial records, or medical data
- Noncompliance with HIPAA, GLBA, or state cyber laws
- Lost client trust and legal action
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Use strict access controls tied to job roles
- Immediately revoke access after termination or role changes
- Monitor for large downloads or off-hours account activity
Why Copper Harbor Ale? This amber ale looks classic and trustworthy—but beneath the surface is complexity, just like insider threats, which can come from those you least expect.
5. OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA + Data Breaches (Bitter and Costly)
When an insurance firm suffers a data breach, the fallout is intense. Personal and financial data are at stake, as are compliance, credibility, and client loyalty.
Why It Hurts:
- Breach of confidential policyholder or claims data
- Regulatory fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage
- Loss of renewals and new business opportunities
Yeo & Yeo Tip:
- Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit
- Set file-level permissions based on the principle of least privilege
- Conduct vulnerability scans and penetration tests regularly
Why OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA? “Ope!”—the sound you make when you realize your client’s SSNs just got exposed. This bold, bitter IPA mirrors the sting of a breach you didn’t see coming.
Final Sip: Policies Protect Your Clients—Cybersecurity Protects Your Business
Your reputation is your most valuable asset, and your clients trust you to protect theirs. But in today’s digital environment, good service isn’t enough. You need proactive, layered cybersecurity built into your infrastructure and daily workflows.
At Yeo & Yeo Technology, we help Michigan-based insurance firms protect policyholder data, streamline secure operations, and meet compliance requirements without sacrificing performance.
Let’s write a new kind of policy that keeps you protected from the inside out.