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DFS Targets Mandatory CE Course Requirement

Abstract: Some agents and brokers have falsely stated on their renewal applications that they took the mandatory courses. It didn't end well for them. Body: ​Penalty by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock ImagesThe New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) insurance regulations require agents and brokers to take certain continuing education (CE) courses. Some of them have falsely stated on their renewal applications that they took the courses. It didn't end well for them. We strongly urge all licensed agency principals and employees to take the courses and answer the renewal application questions truthfully.In late 2021, DFS announced that it had adopted a regulation requiring…

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Big I NY Chair’s Perspective: Meet Kelly Gonyo

Abstract: We asked Kelly several rapid-fire questions about leadership, her role shaping Big I NY, and what it means to lead as a woman in our industry. Grab your notebook; you’ll want to jot this down. Body: ​Kelly Gonyo is an industry leader serving as Chair of the Big I NY Board and the Founder and President of Blue Line Insurance Agency. Since 2001, she has worked nearly every role in the independent agency world and grown Blue Line into a multi-location operation in Lake Placid, Champlain, Tupper Lake, and Ellenburg Depot.A commercial insurance specialist and builder of talent, Kelly champions the development of independent…

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DFS Warns of Cybersecurity Risk from Cisco Devices

Abstract: Authorities have found Cisco’s ASA (Adaptive Security Appliances) and Firepower devices, which many organizations use as part of their network security, to have critical weaknesses. Body: The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) is warning the entities it regulates about a serious new cybersecurity threat affecting certain Cisco firewall devices. Many companies use them to protect their networks. Attackers are actively exploiting a “zero-day” vulnerability — a flaw that criminals are using before the vendor provides a fix — to break into systems and potentially steal data or disrupt operations.What’s HappeningAuthorities have found Cisco’s ASA (Adaptive Security Appliances) and Firepower devices, which many organizations…

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