Erie Insurance Restores Online Access for Customers; Still Working on Other Systems

Despite this, Erie Insurance has not acknowledged any data breach, and instead, emphasized its commitment to identifying what, if any, data may have been affected. The company's efforts to restore full system functionality for local agents, claims, and customer care teams are described as "intentional, phased, and prioritized" to ensure that the highest level of service is maintained.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Insurance Companies is also working to recover from its own network outage, which began on June 9. In contrast to Erie Insurance's approach, Philadelphia disconnected its systems in an effort to contain a threat detected by suspicious activity. Phone, email, and online applications have been impacted by the outage.

Philadelphia Insurance has clarified that no systems were encrypted, and this was not a ransomware event, contrary to media reports. While most core business systems have been restored, some employees have regained access to key systems, including email. However, the insurer acknowledges that "a full return to normal internal operations will take time."

Both Erie Insurance and Philadelphia Insurance Companies have emphasized their commitment to customer service, with a focus on ensuring that agents and policyholders receive uninterrupted support.

The 'Scattered Spider' Hackers: A Growing Concern for the Insurance Sector

While neither insurer has revealed details about the source or extent of its cybersecurity incident, Google's Threat Intelligence Group has identified a hacking group known as Scattered Spider. According to Google, this group appears to have shifted its focus from retailers to insurance companies, and is likely behind both Erie and Philadelphia outages, as well as a possible data breach at Aflac.

As the insurance sector becomes increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats, it is essential for companies to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their systems and customer data. The 'Scattered Spider' hackers represent a growing concern for the industry, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in addressing these emerging threats.

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