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When I entered the insurance industry a few decades ago, things were a lot different than they are today. Although computers had begun to appear in brokerages, they were by no means as integrated and crucial to operations as they are now. To give you a better idea of the era I’m talking about, people still used fax machines to send documents to each other, dial-up internet was cutting-edge technology, and there were still some forms that needed to be filled out by hand. Back then, paperwork typically meant there was at least some paper involved.
These days, of course, none of that is the case. Now, the insurance industry is one the most totally digitized of any sector of the economy, with each brokerage operating through sophisticated data management systems, online platforms, and conducting a great many client meetings via teleconferencing software.
For insurance providers, it is a much more convenient, much less labour-intensive world than it was back in the 90s. However, there is a price we pay for living in an age of such brilliant technological achievement and ubiquity, and that price is the potential exposure of private information and data.
By our nature, we insurance professionals are wary of unnecessary risk, which is why the thought of scammers or any other malignant actors getting hold of our clients’ personal information makes us extra vigilant. Such a violation of even one of our valued clients is intolerable to us. Perhaps that’s why we, as a collective profession, have put in place so many safeguards against exactly that type of thing happening.
At my company, Acera Insurance, protecting client data is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s a moral obligation. As the technology we use every day continues to evolve, we’ve taken steps to ensure that our digital platforms are as secure as possible, consistently upgrading our hardware and software to the most hacker-proof tech available. We also use encryption, multi-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring to protect all of the sensitive information we store.
Canada-wide, our industry has adapted well to the digital age by developing stringent privacy policies and adhering to regulations like the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). In Alberta, where Acera’s offices are located, we also comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), which dictates how personal information is collected, used, and disclosed. These measures help make sure that our clients’ data is handled with the utmost care and security, and that it’s treated with the care it deserves.
But data protection isn’t just about compliance. It’s about trust. Every time a client shares their personal information with us—whether it’s for a home insurance quote or a commercial policy—they trust us to keep that information safe. If we fail in that duty, we not only risk legal repercussions but also damage to our reputation and our relationships with individual clients. And for a company like ours, that’s built on personal relationships, that would be a very injurious blow indeed.
That’s why we’re constantly investing in new technologies and training our staff on the latest cybersecurity protocols. But beyond the technical side, we emphasize a culture of responsibility at Acera. Every employee understands that protecting client data is everyone’s job, not just the IT department’s.
As Acera continues to grow and expand our reach, our responsibility to safeguard data only increases. In a world where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it’s crucial that we stay ahead of the curve, always asking ourselves, “How can we do better?”
It’s an ongoing challenge, but one we’re prepared to meet. By maintaining high ethical standards and continuously improving our systems, we ensure that our clients can trust us—not just with their insurance needs but with their most sensitive information.