Universal Cyber Coverage Program Update

Goal of enhancing coverage for all ALIA Subscribers results in change in insurer

ALIA is pleased to announce further details on enhancements to the Universal Cyber Coverage Program that will commence on July 1, 2024. As previously announced, the premium payable remains the same as last year at $265 per Subscriber but with increased coverage.

Although there were no concerns with the service provided by Zurich, ALIA works to ensure that its Subscribers continue to receive the best value for their premiums/levies, and the increased coverage provided by Beazley merited the switch in insurers.

While the insurer is changing, the Universal Cyber Coverage Program continues to be provided by a global insurer and administered by ALIA. As Beazley agreed to accept all Subscribers into the program without requiring an onerous application process, all Subscribers and their firms will continue to have cyber coverage with the new enhancements and improved limits, with no additional costs to Subscribers.

New policy documents available soon in the Lawyer Portal

A detailed summary of the changes, as well as a copy of the Beazley Policy and new Cyber Coverage Certificate, will be available shortly after June 30, 2024, in the Law Society of Alberta’s Lawyer Portal. Cyber policy information is stored in the Lawyer Portal to protect it from cybercriminals who search for this information. ALIA will also post revised FAQs and further information about the program on its website at that time.

The Universal Cyber Coverage Program is designed to protect Subscribers, their law firms and, by extension, their clients by providing quick access to critical resources needed to respond to cyberattacks. It covers claims for data and security breaches, as well as regulatory proceedings brought against Subscribers and their firms. An important coverage enhancement under the Beazley policy is that Subscribers and their firms will have coverage for data recovery costs. Subscribers will also have access to Beazley’s cyber claims expertise, as claims are directly reported to and handled by them. 

Cyber hygiene is key

Subscribers play an essential role in the continuing success of the Universal Cyber Coverage Program by ensuring they practice good “cyber hygiene” to reduce or eliminate cyberattacks. Practicing cyber hygiene includes implementing network security controls to improve online security to mitigate cyber breaches and conducting cyber security awareness training. 

Stay tuned for upcoming seminars ALIA will be hosting with experts from ALIA’s broker, Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., and Beazley that will include information on the enhanced coverage and education on “cyber hygiene”.  

ALIA does not provide legal advice. ALIAdvisory newsletters, ALIAlert warnings, ALIAction notices and the content on ALIA’s website, notices, blogs, correspondence and any other communications are provided for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. This information is not a replacement for specific legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client relationship.

ALIA may provide links to third-party websites. Links are provided for convenience only; ALIA does not vet or endorse the information contained in linked websites or guarantee its accuracy, timeliness or fitness for a particular purpose.

If you believe you have been targeted by potentially fraudulent activity, please contact ALIAlert.