Compliance Archives - 星空传媒 星空传媒 Title Insurance Co. https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/tag/compliance/ #AgentsFirst Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:40:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 /wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cropped-星空传媒_星空传媒_logo_web_blue_small-32x32.png Compliance Archives - 星空传媒 星空传媒 Title Insurance Co. https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/tag/compliance/ 32 32 Top Fraud Concerns to Watch Out for in 2026 /2026/02/19/top-fraud-concerns-to-watch-out-for-in-2026/ /2026/02/19/top-fraud-concerns-to-watch-out-for-in-2026/#respond Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:32:22 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=8253 Keep every file and every party safe by usingthese best practices every day By Mauri Hawkins, Chief Claims Counsel, 星空传媒 Title pros know that fraud is a big problem in our industry, but the available data is still eye-popping. In 2024, the American Land Title Association (ALTA) reported that fraud and forgery claim costs averaged over ...

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Keep every file and every party safe by using
these best practices every day

By Mauri Hawkins, Chief Claims Counsel, 星空传媒

Title pros know that fraud is a big problem in our industry, but the available data is still eye-popping. In 2024, the American Land Title Association (ALTA) reported that fraud and forgery claim costs averaged over $143,000 per incident.[i] Such losses can significantly impact a typical agency鈥檚 business, which makes prevention your best defense. To help, we鈥檝e outlined 2026鈥檚 top fraud threats as well as strategies for spotting them early and protecting every file, every party, every day.

Why redouble our focus on fraud in 2026?

Fraud in 2026 harms businesses in a way that goes beyond dollars and cents. Fraud can also inflict major reputational damage, leading to lost referrals and, quite possibly, the closure of your business itself. In short, fraud and forgery can derail your company鈥檚 goals and prospects in both the short and long term. These serious consequences highlight why we must scrutinize the details of every file that comes across our desks鈥攑articularly from the insidious schemes we will explore below.

Seller impersonation is a danger

First up is seller impersonation. Increasingly common, seller impersonators pose as property owners and sell properties out from under the real owners without their even knowing. Given how widespread it has become, agents must never eyeball ID documents. ID-verification tools must be used on every file, every party, every day instead. Agents must also take time to scrutinize notary seals and the notaries themselves. When possible, avoid mail-away closings and use a reputable remote online notarization (RON) provider. Also, validate IDs at the time you receive an order, as this helps stop fraud in its tracks! And finally, educate your real estate agents, lenders and consumers on the very real risk of losing their money.

Vacant land sales pose a real threat

Vacant land remains another top fraud target in 2026. It is driving a huge share of claims nationwide and can get wildly expensive.

To cut down on these claims, ID-verification tools are again your best friend. Apply them to every file at the beginning of each order. That way, you can properly verify the parties involved and not waste time on bogus deals.

You should also always contact vested owners at a trusted address, whether by email or by mail, to confirm the sale. Finally, stay on guard for red flags like recent address changes or sudden changes to entity information located in the Secretary of State records. Those are go-to moves that sophisticated fraudsters love to deploy.

Fight back against payoff fraud

At 星空传媒 星空传媒, we are also seeing a sharp rise in payoff fraud. These involve bad actors injecting themselves into the payoff process and rerouting funds away from the real lender or servicer and into their own bank accounts. Fraudsters have gotten good at compromising payoff mechanisms鈥攆rom email to fax. Given that, the principle of Verify, Then Trust matters more than ever before.

Some best practices to remember include:

  • Never accept payoff info from a party to the transaction.
  • Prior to sending funds, confirm with the lender, using independently verified contact information, the wire information or payment address.
  • Follow the verified lender instructions exactly and double-check payment details before disbursing.
  • Treat any last-minute changes or 鈥渘ew鈥 payoff directions as a major red flag, and contact the lender directly at the independently verified contact information before taking any further action.

For more best practices, managers should review  on handling payoffs securely and share it with their agents.

Staying cyber smart

No conversation about fraud in 2026 would be complete without touching upon cybersecurity concerns, particularly from phishing emails. Cyberattacks are one of the most common ways fraudsters can attack our industry. In fact, data reveals that over $16 billion in losses resulted from cybersecurity issues alone.[ii]

The silver lining is that we have a powerful way to prevent cybercrime and stem these losses. The numbers show that one of the most consistent reasons why a cyberattack is successful has to do with human error. Implementing security awareness training for your agency can reduce the likelihood of a fraudster pulling a fast one by 70-90%.[iii]

Strong cyber insurance is also essential for agencies to protect themselves from fraudsters. Review your policy鈥檚 terms and conditions thoroughly, institute processes and procedures for the team to follow in each transaction, and document each file with the actions taken to show that the processes and procedures were followed. This is highly important for when a claim is made under the cyber insurance policy.

You have a partner in the fight against fraud

At 星空传媒 星空传媒, we鈥檙e here to support you in the fight against fraudsters. We have resources that can help:

  • 星空传媒 星空传媒 Crime Watch Program: If an 星空传媒 星空传媒 agent鈥檚 employee spots and prevents possible fraud, agency management can nominate that employee to receive an award. Find more information here about the program.
  • The 星空传媒 星空传媒 Fraud Prevention Tips: Find handy best practices for spotting and stopping fraud with this tip sheet.
  • ID Verification Tools: Explore today鈥檚 top platforms and make sure your team is trained on the right policies and best practices. 星空传媒 星空传媒 agents, for example, 鈥攁 leading identity verification provider.

You鈥檙e ready to face fraudsters

Armed with these tools and knowledge of 2026鈥檚 top fraud threats, you鈥檙e ready to spot bad actors and act before a scheme escalates into a loss.  Just remember to never take anything at face value and to verify before you ever extend your trust. By approaching your files with the mantra of 鈥淰erify, Then Trust鈥 in mind, you can rest easy knowing you鈥檝e protected every file, every party, every day.  


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Texas Tackles Deed Fraud /2025/12/18/texas-tackles-deed-fraud/ /2025/12/18/texas-tackles-deed-fraud/#respond Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:48:34 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=8078 Exciting legislative developments in the Lone Star State offer new tools to prosecutors and stronger protections for property owners. By Adam Mohrbacher For most homeowners, a deed represents safety, stability, and legacy. Deed fraud turns that certainty upside down. With just a handful of fraudulent filings, criminals can trigger months鈥攕ometimes years鈥攐f financial and legal turmoil for unsuspecting owners. This crime ...

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Exciting legislative developments in the Lone Star State offer new tools to prosecutors and stronger protections for property owners.

By Adam Mohrbacher

For most homeowners, a deed represents safety, stability, and legacy. Deed fraud turns that certainty upside down. With just a handful of fraudulent filings, criminals can trigger months鈥攕ometimes years鈥攐f financial and legal turmoil for unsuspecting owners. This crime is growing rapidly and poses a serious threat to the real estate and title industries, often leaving lasting damage in its wake. 鈥淒eed fraud is a very real threat,鈥 said Rodney Anderson, EVP and 星空传媒 Agency Manager at 星空传媒 星空传媒. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about someone鈥檚 home, their family鈥檚 legacy, and sometimes their entire life鈥檚 savings. That鈥檚 why the legislation recently passed by the Texas Legislature鈥攕haped with critical input from organizations like the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA)鈥攊s so important.鈥

Anderson is referring in part to Senate Bill 16 (SB 16), which significantly strengthens prosecutors鈥 ability to pursue deed fraud cases. SB 16 is a cornerstone of a broader legislative package designed to attack deed fraud from multiple angles. Led by State Senator Royce West, the effort positions Texas as a national leader in confronting this urgent and complex issue. 鈥淭ogether, these bills create the strongest state-level protections against deed fraud and title theft anywhere in the country,鈥 Senator West said upon their signing.

An Easy Crime with Devastating Consequences

Legislative action was necessary because deed fraud is not only destructive. It is also often disturbingly easy to commit. One scheme fraudsters use involves falsified documents transferring ownership into their name or an entity they control. They frequently target raw land, vacant properties, and deceased or elderly property owners. Once the fraudulent conveyance is recorded, they 鈥渟ell鈥 the property, disappearing long before the real owner realizes the damage that has been done.

This scheme and others like it succeed by exploiting weaknesses in document notarization and recording processes, as well as challenges within the legal system. While Texas law already required notaries to verify signatures, inconsistent compliance and limited accountability left openings for fraud and abuse. County clerks, meanwhile, are tasked with processing documents efficiently, not investigating their authenticity. In many cases, victims don鈥檛 discover fraud until they try to legitimately sell or refinance their property. And even then, the ordeal is far from over. 鈥淭he cleanup process can be brutal,鈥 Anderson explained. 鈥淧roving a deed is fraudulent usually requires formal legal action, and that process is expensive and time-consuming.鈥

Historically, prosecutors have been hesitant to pursue these cases criminally, not due to lack of concern, but like most states, Texas lacked statutes tailored specifically to deed fraud. Prosecutors were forced to rely on general theft statutes, attempting to fit complex title crimes into legal arguments that simply weren鈥檛 designed for this kind of crime.

A Comprehensive Legislative Response

The Texas Legislature addressed these gaps with a four-bill package that reforms the system holistically. The measures strengthen prevention, improve detection, empower victims, and equip prosecutors with felony statutes that reflect deed fraud鈥檚 complex reality.

Key provisions include:

  • Senate Bill 16

Creates two new criminal offenses specifically addressing real property theft and real property fraud, giving prosecutors statutes that align with how deed fraud schemes operate. 鈥淭hese laws send a clear message that Texas is serious about detecting, prosecuting, and deterring deed fraud,鈥 said Anderson. 鈥淭hey won鈥檛 stop every bad actor, but they make fraud harder to commit, easier to detect, and faster to unwind without overburdening legitimate transactions.鈥

  • Senate Bill 647

Requires county clerks to notify the grantor, grantee, and most recent property owner if a lien appears fraudulent. It also allows clerks to request supporting documentation, seek district attorney assistance, and refuse filing if certain documentation is not provided.

  • Senate Bill 693

Targets notary reform by criminalizing notarization without a signer鈥檚 presence and establishing continuing education requirements through the Secretary of State. The goal is to raise professional standards and accountability among notaries.

  • Senate Bill 1734

Allows property owners who believe a recorded conveyance is fraudulent to file an owner鈥檚 affidavit. If no controverting affidavit is filed, the owner may petition for district court for an expedited review.

The Power of Collaboration

This legislative success underscores the power of collaboration. It was made possible by lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement, county officials, and industry leaders working toward a shared goal. Senator West led the charge, with key contributions from State Representative Rafael Anchia in the Texas House. Coordination with the County Clerk鈥檚 Association, the Dallas District Attorney鈥檚 office, and John Warren, the Dallas County Clerk, was critical along with input from the Texas Land Title Association. 鈥淭LTA鈥檚 advocacy on this issue demonstrated exactly why all Texas title agents should be a member of the association,鈥 said Anderson, a former legislator, past TLTA president and current committee chair. 鈥淭LTA Vice President of Government Relations and Counsel, Aaron Day, led the advocacy efforts with substantial input from both the Regulatory and Legislative Committees, and with approval from the TLTA Board of Directors.鈥

A Model for the Nation

The Texas deed fraud package represents a meaningful victory for property owners and the real estate industry alike. It strengthens notary standards, supports county clerks, empowers victims, and gives prosecutors the tools they need to pursue justice. Just as importantly, it offers a roadmap that other states can follow. 鈥淭his legislation should be used as a model throughout the country,鈥 Anderson said. 鈥淟and title associations can partner with lawmakers, prosecutors, and public officials to reduce deed fraud. No law is perfect, but if collaboration leads to legislation that protects families鈥攐r helps owners reclaim property faster鈥攖hen it鈥檚 absolutely worth the effort.鈥

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Level Up Your IT Game In 2026 /2025/12/17/level-up-your-it-game-in-2026our/ Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:02:42 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=8064 Our IT director shares three recommendations for optimizing your tech stack By: Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒 With the new year upon us, it鈥檚 time again for my annual roundup of tech trends to watch in the months ahead. After over 20 years in software development and IT, I can safely say that technology best practices ...

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Our IT director shares three recommendations for optimizing your tech stack

By: Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒

With the new year upon us, it鈥檚 time again for my annual roundup of tech trends to watch in the months ahead. After over 20 years in software development and IT, I can safely say that technology best practices are changing all the time鈥攐ften with blazing speed. It鈥檚 essential for businesses to stay aligned with the latest developments. By following these recommendations, you can do just that and ensure your technology stack fires on all cylinders in 2026.

Make 2026 the year you get AI right

While the constant stream of AI coverage has become overwhelming in the last few years, don鈥檛 tune it out. AI really can have a transformative effect on your business. Many have already recognized its potential, with three in four companies using AI to optimize at least one business function.[i] In 2026, this trend will only accelerate, with more businesses adopting AI agents to:

  • Automate production workflows bysearching and summarizing documents, generating emails and tracking deadlines, all of which can accelerate closings.
  • Boost security by flagging anomalies, verifying identities and maintaining communication, which enhances trust.
  • Support compliance by using AI to check disclosures and maintain audit logs.

If you haven鈥檛 started using AI yet, you don鈥檛 need to be intimidated. To get started, just pick one or two high-volume, low-risk tasks where you can test out a pilot program. Assign a staff member to 鈥渙wn鈥 the program, choose your tool and define your metrics of success. After 30 days, if you like what you see, you can expand the program. If not, simply retool and try something else.

Zero trust = fewer security issues

I鈥檝e talked about zero trust a few times on this blog, but it remains a critical security protocol for agencies to adopt in 2026. For a while now, the cybersecurity field has basically adopted 鈥淢urphy鈥檚 law.鈥 We assume data breaches are a matter of when鈥攏ot if. This framework is smart because it prioritizes protecting identities and data when these inevitable breaches occur.

Agencies would be well advised to align with this security approach, as the data shows, breaches are becoming far more common. Sixty-five percent of organizations were, in fact, hit by a ransomware attack in 2024.[ii] If you are ever unlucky enough to be one of those statistics, you can mitigate the fallout if you have highly stringent security protocols in place, such as:  

  • Universal MFA adoption for email, production software, escrow platforms, remote access and cloud tools. Collectively, this reduces the likelihood of a stolen password compromising your entire operation.
  • A strong 鈥淶ero Trust鈥 mindset, which assumes every device, user and connection could be compromised, and that users should only be given the minimum access required to do their jobs.
  • Thoughtful, cautious third-party controls that treat every IT vendor, platform and integration as a potential attack vector. To safeguard against potential vulnerabilities, agencies should ask vendors for security documentation, avoid shared logins, limit vendor access and make sure incident-response expectations are baked into any contracts.

Once you have security controls like these set up, you鈥檒l be in a strong position to prevent wire fraud and reduce downtime. You鈥檒l also demonstrate to stakeholders that your agency is taking cybersecurity seriously in 2026.

Go 鈥渄igital first鈥 in 2026

Perhaps the most substantive IT change over the past few years in the title industry has been the normalization of all-digital closings. Remote online notarization (RON) usage, for example, has dramatically surged, with one study showing an astounding 40% increase.[iii] Agencies that stay current with these shifting expectations will gain in 2026. Not only is it a great competitive differentiator, but digitizing your operations can also improve your operational efficiency, strengthen compliance and even expand your customer pool.

Just like with AI, digitizing your process doesn鈥檛 need to feel overwhelming. You can begin by tackling just one closing with one customer. Work with your IT team and/or provider to confirm what RON or e-signing tools you have at your disposal and how you can use them compliantly. Then, chart out your process and implement it.

Don鈥檛 forget to compile data on how digitalization impacted your turn times, what pain points you encountered and what feedback you received from your customers. That last part is arguably the most important, as you will need it to iterate for future improvement.

Be open to opportunity

The poet Edith Lovejoy Pierce once wrote, 鈥淲e will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called 鈥極pportunity,鈥 and its first chapter is New Year鈥檚 Day.鈥 I think this is a good way to sum up what I鈥檝e been trying to convey with this blog. We鈥檝e covered just a few of the ways to improve your agency鈥檚 technology stack in 2026, and by extension, how you deliver for customers and grow your business. If you鈥檙e open to experimenting with new technologies and laying the groundwork for more secure systems, you can seize these opportunities as the holidays end and the new year begins. Rest assured, your customers will thank you for it.


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The Tech Tools I Am Most Thankful For /2025/11/21/the-tech-tools-i-am-most-thankful-for/ /2025/11/21/the-tech-tools-i-am-most-thankful-for/#respond Fri, 21 Nov 2025 00:52:05 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=7970 By Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒 From AI and analytics systems to cybersecurity and compliance tools, there鈥檚 a lot to appreciate in our current tech landscape. Like many folks, I always think about what I am thankful for around this time of year. It鈥檚 a long list, ranging from my health and family to my coworkers ...

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By Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒

From AI and analytics systems to cybersecurity and compliance tools, there鈥檚 a lot to appreciate in our current tech landscape.

Like many folks, I always think about what I am thankful for around this time of year. It鈥檚 a long list, ranging from my health and family to my coworkers and the many agents we serve across the country. One other thing I deeply appreciate is the many tech innovations that have made it easier for us to pursue our industry鈥檚 priorities while also staying safe online. In honor of the approaching holidays, I thought I would share some of my favorite tech tools and applications that are helping agencies complete their essential work.

Cybersecurity advances

If you are a regular reader of mine, then you know I during October鈥檚 annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The subject is so important to those in title, however, that it merits mention here as well. There are several recent advances that deserve attention. AI-powered security tools are making it simpler to detect tampered deeds, altered IDs and forged income or asset documents. Secure portals, multi-factor authentication and powerful wire verification methods are also lowering risk. None of this replaces rock-solid procedures and training, of course. But thanks to technology, title professionals can spend more time serving customers and a little less time worrying about bad actors targeting their transactions.

AI applications

Although AI undoubtedly complicates the IT and security landscapes on one hand, it is also giving agencies important tools to streamline operations and protect critical systems and data. Whether you want to automate routine tasks or flag and respond to security incidents in real time, AI is quickly becoming indispensable in our field. I鈥檓 super grateful for how these emerging technologies are lightening the heavy loads of many of my peers and empowering agencies to focus more on service and relationship building.

Compliance technology

Similarly helpful are the advances we are seeing in compliance and RegTech. I don鈥檛 have to tell you that our industry carries some complex reporting and compliance requirements. FinCEN Geographic Targeting Orders. BOI-related workflows. TRID disclosures. Privacy laws. Simply put, there is a lot to keep in mind when trying to operate a compliant and successful agency. Yet technology innovation is gradually cutting the time and effort involved in satisfying these obligations. There are tools available now for automatically collecting required data during intake and pre-closing, before generating and storing compliant reporting. With the right tech tools, it has also become easier to run OFAC/sanctions checks and flag issues in real time. All in all, these technologies are streamlining workflows and eliminating clunky manual processes that slow transactions and stymie profitability.

CRMs

In addition to improving agency efficiency and security, technology is also making it far simpler to promote your business and engage with customers. Customer relationship management software (CRMs) is one such example. CRMs provide greater visibility into where your business comes from and offer features geared toward nurturing long-term customer relationships. With a solid CRM in place, you can integrate it with your title production system, automatically log files and initiate status updates. These systems reduce missed opportunities, create organized customer pipelines and unify the work of different departments by providing a single source of truth.

RON and eClosings

Even before the pandemic, customer expectations across industries had been moving decidedly in a digital-first direction. Our industry has slowly adapted to meet this evolving trend, with states across the country gradually moving to allow for remote online notarizations and eClosings. Customers and agencies alike have benefited from this cultural and legislative shift. With RON technology, stakeholders can sign documents via secure audio-video sessions, complete with credential checks. Agencies gain better and more auditable notary logs as a result and reduce the risk of fraud with high quality identity verification technology.

Thanks to technology and title agents like you

Title insurance can be challenging field, which is why I鈥檓 thankful for the technology advances on this list. Because of these innovations, it has become far easier for agencies to pursue their business goals and do more with less. Of course, technology is only as useful when implemented. So, I must also extend my gratitude to all the agencies investing in their operations and creating better and more secure experiences. Through your efforts, our industry is far better off, as are the customers and communities who rely on us.

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Look Before You Leap: Assessing Third-Party App Risk /2025/07/24/look-before-you-leap-assessing-third-party-app-risk/ Thu, 24 Jul 2025 20:54:20 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=7511 By Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒 Aristotle supposedly once said, 鈥淚t is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.鈥 Although the ancient philosopher died nearly 2,000 years ago, his statement remains highly relevant to how businesses should approach security issues today, particularly regarding third-party applications. Digital apps ...

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By Bryan Johnson, IT Director, 星空传媒

Aristotle supposedly once said, 鈥淚t is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.鈥 Although the ancient philosopher died nearly 2,000 years ago, his statement remains highly relevant to how businesses should approach security issues today, particularly regarding third-party applications. Digital apps are essential to workplace productivity and profitability in 2025, but that doesn鈥檛 mean we can take anything an app vendor says at face value. Rather, businesses that wish to maximize the benefits of their applications while minimizing risk need to deploy a strategic, thoughtful process. Here鈥檚 how you can do that in three easy steps. 

1.) Initial screening process

Properly vetting a third-party application鈥檚 security begins with an initial screening of needs and capabilities. Start by asking yourself a simple question: Is there an actual business need here for this application? Once established, you can start figuring out what the application is (cloud service, browser extension, etc.), which data sets it will touch (financial, personal customer information, etc.) and who is going to end up using it (internal-only versus customer-facing). Answering these questions early helps you gauge risk and define the safeguards you鈥檒l need.

2.) Security, privacy and data access review

Following your initial screening, check if the application you鈥檙e considering adheres to reputable security and privacy frameworks like SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. These certifications show that the app provider follows industry best practices for controls, monitoring and governance. Don鈥檛 stop there, though. To cover all your bases, you will also want to review an app鈥檚:

  • Penetration test results
  • Privacy policy
  • Encryption practices
  • Data storage and access processes

Finally, round out your investigation by examining whether the app meets any relevant regulatory requirements such as those stipulated in the GDPR, CCPA or HIPAA. For a data heavy industry like title insurance, these expectations should be largely non-negotiable.

3.) Internal governance and continual monitoring

Once you collect and review this information, you can proceed with implementing your app. However, that doesn鈥檛 mean you should consider the project complete. Whenever you launch a new IT initiative, there is always the possibility that something may go awry. Continual monitoring can help you quickly remediate any problems that arise with your app down the line. To make this process easier, take the time to determine who owns the relationship with the application vendor ahead of time. Then, establish a process for keeping tabs on updates, misuse, and security vulnerabilities. Performing this due diligence before launching the application can prevent future headaches.

Get the answers you need   

To wrap this all up, I want to leave you with another quote from Aristotle, who said, 鈥淭he roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.鈥 I think this goes to the heart of what this blog is discussing. Vetting third-party app risk undoubtedly requires effort, but the rewards justify the work involved. And by following the three steps outlined here, I promise you鈥檒l get the answers and results you need. 

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Vendor Security: The Weakest Link? /2025/03/20/vendor-security-the-weakest-link/ /2025/03/20/vendor-security-the-weakest-link/#respond Thu, 20 Mar 2025 21:09:12 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=5682 Vendors carry unique risks; here鈥檚 how to address them Remember the TV show The Weakest Link? Running from 2000 to 2012, the show enjoyed quite a bit of popularity back in the day. Host Anne Robinson鈥檚 catchphrase 鈥淵ou are the weakest link-goodbye!鈥 even became part of the cultural lexicon for a moment in time. A business鈥檚 cybersecurity strategy will inevitably have ...

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Vendors carry unique risks; here鈥檚 how to address them

Remember the TV show The Weakest Link? Running from 2000 to 2012, the show enjoyed quite a bit of popularity back in the day. Host Anne Robinson鈥檚 catchphrase 鈥淵ou are the weakest link-goodbye!鈥 even became part of the cultural lexicon for a moment in time. A business鈥檚 cybersecurity strategy will inevitably have its own weakest link. No matter how well designed it is, no system is invulnerable to attack. For many businesses, vendor relationships are the weakest link. There are numerous reasons for that, ranging from third-party data access to weak authentication methods. Let鈥檚 explore how you can fortify these relationships and ensure you and your favorite vendors never need to say 鈥済oodbye.鈥

Vendors: a beneficial but potentially risky relationship

A good vendor relationship can be highly beneficial, bringing cost savings, expertise and innovation that can translate into lasting competitive advantage. However, there is no question that vendors can introduce security risks for a business. One of the most significant is the potential for data leaks. If a vendor doesn鈥檛 have good security policies but has access to a business鈥檚 critical systems, that can be a potential attack vector for criminals.

But that鈥檚 just the tip of the iceberg. Vendors may use third-party tools with security gaps, rely on weak passwords, or fail to meet title industry security standards. Lastly, in the event of a security incident, a vendor may not have a dedicated incident response plan, which could lead to a disruption for your business.

Simple, straightforward security steps can help

While these risks are no doubt significant, there are a lot of simple steps you can take to make your vendor relationship more secure. The most important one is also the most obvious. Only give your vendor access to the systems and data they need to meet the conditions of your service agreement.

Beyond access control, there are several other precautions to take. It is wise to lay out cybersecurity roles, responsibilities and expectations at the start of any vendor engagement. Clear expectations help vendors handle your data responsibly, respond to incidents, and uphold security policies.

You and your vendor should also be on the same page on how you will respond if a security breach unfortunately does occur. Planning ahead can minimize disruptions and long-term damage to your business. Of course, all this hinges on first developing a trusting dynamic with your vendor. If you don鈥檛 communicate openly and transparently, it becomes much more difficult to collaborate on security goals and grow together.

Lastly, it is always a good idea to conduct regular security check-ins with your vendors. This is a good way to remain aware of the systems and data your vendor has access to. These meetings can also be a time to quickly and efficiently communicate any changes in your cybersecurity strategy.

The role of vendor security agreements (VSAs)

One of the best ways to make sure you are taking the precautions outlined above is by putting together a comprehensive vendor service agreement (VSA) at the beginning of a new vendor engagement. VSAs are a critical tool for managing security risks in third-party relationships, including data protection protocols, compliance and responsibilities in the event of a breach. Other provisions that are often included in a VSA encompass access controls, encryption requirements and multi-factor authentication (MFA) policies.

Additionally, a good VSA should include your agency鈥檚 incident response framework. If you鈥檙e considering developing a framework, detail how quickly a vendor must notify you of a security event and clearly list what steps they must take to help fix the issue. This can be an especially important provision. Data shows that the timeline from when an average vendor discovers a security problem to when they notify their client is often quite long. But it can be reduced when there is a contractual obligation to notify.[i]

Lastly, businesses should also explicitly define in their VSA how they want to approach periodic security audits for their vendors. It is perhaps the most effective strategy for ensuring alignment with evolving cybersecurity standards.

Toward an ever more productive and profitable partnership

It is a rotten feeling when a vendor causes a security incident, and you must deliver an Anne Robinson-style dismissal. With a little extra work, however, you can secure these relationships and help prevent security incidents before they start. When your vendor partnerships are safe, an even more productive and profitable dynamic becomes possible.


[i] 

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星空传媒 星空传媒 Meets Rigorous SSAE 18 Type II Standards for the 7th Consecutive Year /2021/05/16/alliant-national-meets-rigorous-ssae-18-type-ii-standards-for-the-7th-consecutive-year/ /2021/05/16/alliant-national-meets-rigorous-ssae-18-type-ii-standards-for-the-7th-consecutive-year/#respond Sun, 16 May 2021 16:34:00 +0000 https://anticlive.azurewebsites.net/?p=644 星空传媒鈥檚 Agent Quality Management System Passes Service Organization Control Exam. Longmont, Colo. 鈥 (March 23, 2021) 鈥 星空传媒, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position in the marketplace, announces the successful completion of the Service Organization Control (SOC) 1 SSAE 18 Type II examination for ...

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星空传媒鈥檚 Agent Quality Management System Passes Service Organization Control Exam.

Longmont, Colo. 鈥 (March 23, 2021) 鈥 星空传媒, a unique title insurance underwriter that partners with independent agents to improve their competitive position in the marketplace, announces the successful completion of the Service Organization Control (SOC) 1 SSAE 18 Type II examination for the seventh consecutive year.

By completing the examination, 星空传媒 星空传媒 will receive mention in an AICPA-endorsed report, stating that the company has maintained effective controls over its Agent Quality Management System. It also verifies that 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 processes for approving, monitoring and reviewing its agents, which results in their designation as Authorized Service Providers, include rigorous quality standards. 

Additionally, SSAE 18 certified compliant status validates 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 systems for minimizing customers鈥 risk of financial loss in connection with real estate closings. As a result, lenders relying upon 星空传媒 星空传媒鈥檚 oversight of its agents and Authorized Service Provider program receive additional assurance that processes are complete and accurate. 

鈥溞强沾 星空传媒 was the first title insurance underwriter in the nation to obtain compliant status and is the only title insurance underwriter to achieve compliant status for seven consecutive years,鈥 said David Sinclair, President and CEO of 星空传媒 星空传媒. 鈥淭his certification provides further independent assurance of our agent oversight systems to lenders. Providing lenders with unequivocal evidence of the quality of our agents through an independently audited system is a top priority of 星空传媒 星空传媒.鈥

A-Lign Certified Public Accountants of Tampa, Fla., performed the engagement and certification. The unqualified satisfactory report, with no exceptions, was issued January 11, 2021, and the audit scope covered the full year 2020. 

星空传媒 星空传媒 distinguishes itself from competitors by combining strong underwriting capability with independent agents鈥 in-depth knowledge of local markets. The result is a nationwide network with deep roots in local communities, and a wealth of expertise that is flexible, nuanced, and continuously growing.

Visit  for additional information.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Cathie Beck
Capital City Public Relations
e: cathie@capitalcitypr.com
p: 303-241-0805

ABOUT ALLIANT NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Independent Underwriter for The Independent AgentSM 鈥 星空传媒 星空传媒 believes in empowering people to thrive.
The company protects the dreams of property owners with secure title insurance and partners with 500+ trusted independent title agents as a licensed underwriter in 27 states and the District of Columbia

The post 星空传媒 星空传媒 Meets Rigorous SSAE 18 Type II Standards for the 7th Consecutive Year appeared first on 星空传媒 星空传媒 Title Insurance Co..

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