Yearly Archives: 2024

NYS DFS Offers New Cyber Program Template

​The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) this week unveiled a new model Cybersecurity Program Template for use by small businesses including insurance agencies. All independent insurance agencies should consider using this template as the model for their cybersecurity programs. New York's financial services cybersecurity regulation requires all agencies to implement cybersecurity programs. In a guidance letter dated May 13, 2024, the department stated that the model "prompts licensees to carefully consider and address the core concepts of a cybersecurity program in order to help create a program that complies with the requirements of the Cybersecurity Regulation." It also includes frameworks for developing and…

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Preferred Mutual Earns 2024 Top Workplaces USA Award

​ENERGAGE NAMES PREFERRED MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY A WINNER OF THE 2024 TOP WORKPLACES USA New Berlin, New York, March 20, 2024Preferred Mutual Insurance Company has announced it has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards."At Preferred Mutual, we are committed to maintaining a people-first culture," said Preferred Mutual Insurance Company President & CEO R. Benedikt Sander. "We are honored our commitment to putting people…

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David Bodenstein of Mike Preis, Inc. Elected Big I New York Chair of the Board

Big I New York's members elected David Bodenstein as Chair of the board for the 2024-2025 term. Bodenstein was sworn in during a ceremony at our Annual Business Meeting during Go Big, held at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, on May 13th. Bodenstein is the President of Mike Preis Inc. Insurance Agency, in Jeffersonville, NY.Bodenstein was elected to the Big I NY Board in 2017 and previously held the Vice-Chair and Secretary/Treasurer position, and has also chaired the group's finance committee. He is Vice-President/Director of Calicoon Co-Op Insurance Company and Chairman of the Jeffersonville Planning Board. Bodenstein says he is honored to assume the leadership role at Big I NY.​David Bodenstein shared:"Over…

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