A-One Insurance Group (AOIG), the privately owned and run insurance broker with offices based across Dorset and Hampshire, has made the shortlist in the national finals of the UK Broker Awards 2018, for the Cyber Broker Award category.
The award – new for 2018 – focuses on the ability of a broking firm to both promote and deliver cyber cover to clients in an ever shifting landscape and market. The judges are seeking an ethos of discussing the topic with all clients, by phone or face-to-face.
AOIG has become a trusted supplier and the ‘go-to’ broker firm for cyber insurance cover in Dorset and areas of Hampshire since 2016. It has been actively working to support and educate businesses of all sizes when it comes to cyber and the protection of their businesses and offer a cost-effective, fully rounded cyber solution tailored to suit each business.
Partnering with a local IT firm and Bournemouth University’s Cyber Security Unit students to pull together a bespoke ‘one-stop shop’ service, AOIG continues to address current cyber and business protection issues in an ever-changing landscape and market.
Dr Christopher Richardson from Bournemouth University Cyber Unit states “The BU Cyber Security Unit has been working in partnership with A-One Insurance Group since 2015.
We are all working to one common goal, to educate, support and deliver better protection for SMEs. The BU students performed a vulnerability assessment service via TSB to provide the assurance of business processes and addresses the need to meet the good practice of the Government’s Cyber Essentials scheme. By deploying these controls, organisations can defend against the most common form of basic cyber-attacks originating from the Internet and the A-One Insurance Group have developed cyber knowledge with us and have worked hard on their risk management advice for clients so have played an active part in supporting that strategy.
I’d also like to add that the project undertaken by A-One introduced another partner to the university who ended up providing valuable work placements to my students as part of the project which gave them excellent experience in the workplace with real relevance to their course work”
From its head office at Ringwood a team of more than 100 insurance specialists (operating from six regional offices) work for people seeking cover for everyday personal requirements, commercial risk management or bespoke schemes. AOIG is also well known for an active and thorough community engagement programme to enhance cyber awareness, education and protection for businesses.
A top 75 UK insurance brokerage and one of the largest privately owned independent insurance brokers, it was founded in Bournemouth in 1993 by managing director Ian Penfold, who wanted to present the local business community with an independent alternative to established high street brokers.
Ian Penfold Managing Director of AOIG, said: “We seek to educate businesses rather than merely sell to them, and develop a thorough understanding of issues which will keep them aware and protected for years.”
“When cyber first became a buzzword most businesses didn’t know or understand cyber-attacks or that it can and does happen to businesses of any size nor what to do or to whom they should turn if they were compromised. Rather than produce the same information leaflets, dull social media posts and press releases, we made a tongue-in-cheek educational video aimed at educating and promoting our unique solution, to lighten the delivery of a serious subject.”
“Our aim is simply to help businesses understand the importance of safeguarding their business and data.”
Now in their 25th year, the UK Broker Awards are the leading platform for national recognition within the insurance broker market. There are 17 categories. The winners will be announced at The Brewery, London, on September 14.
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Web www.aoig.co.uk
Photo attached the Cyber Super Hero team (in hero costumes) from left to right – Jason Daniells, Lia Martin, Rob Jelley, Ollie Denhard, Lee Dredge
Fighting Cyber Crime from left to right – Jason Daniells, Lia Martin, Ollie Denhard, Lee Dredge, Rob Jelley, Ian Penfold (front)
For more information or to set up an interview contact sian@routepr.agency or jackie@routepr.agency