The keys to unlocking a safe and resilient culture

When it comes to leading a successful business, cyber security and physical safety often go hand in hand. To embrace digital resiliency and a zero-claim mindset within the workplace, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive strategy that empowers the organization to monitor progress and track outcomes. Read on to learn how TrueNorth assists area businesses with accomplishing both.

Confronting cyber risk with Discovery Living

With a mission to promote personal growth, success and satisfaction through life experiences, Discovery Living (located at 1015 Old Marion Rd. NE) has spent nearly 50 years providing residential services and day habilitation programs to area adults with developmental disabilities. Today, the team consists of 200 caregivers that provide long-term support and programming for more than 150 adults across 30 locations.

For companies like Discovery Living, a strong digital protection strategy could mean the difference between remaining operational and facing bankruptcy. In fact, 68% of breaches involved a non-malicious human element, like a person falling victim to a social engineering attack or making an error (Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report). While smaller than national care centers, Discovery Living has just as much exposure to cyber risks with only a fraction of the budget and resources to mitigate them.

Knowing the organization is responsible for safeguarding vital information for some of the community’s most vulnerable, Discovery Living’s Director of Finance, Missy Roseberry, was growing concerned with the lack of notice and support they were receiving from their insurance provider to safeguard the organization from a cyber-attack and keep client information secure.

“Leading up to our renewal date, I was notified that Discovery Living would have difficulty securing cyber insurance,” said Roseberry. “Considering the sensitive data we handle and population we serve, we know cyber protection is essential.”

Upon meeting with Discovery Living’s leadership team, TrueNorth set out to secure appropriate insurance coverage while finding time for the organization to implement additional security measures. “Through working with TrueNorth, we were awarded both time and options – neither of which we thought we had,” said Roseberry.

On a mission to help area businesses ‘do more with less.’

TrueNorth’s Digital Risk Solutions team combines insurance expertise with IT intelligence to help businesses of all sizes understand their organization’s unique exposure to cyber risks and take steps to safeguard their data. Its keen understanding of cyber risk extends beyond insurance placement and coverage scope to help businesses of all sizes understand cyber risk and take preventative measures to prevent a malicious event from happening.

Much like this engagement with Discovery Living, TrueNorth routinely works with area businesses, assisting to secure the right coverage, strengthen cyber defenses and ensure digital resilience. “With TrueNorth’s support and guidance, I know Discovery Living is doing all we can to keep our staff and clients secure,” said Roseberry.

A true commitment to safety must be a shared effort and approach - one that spans beyond the responsibilities assigned to the organization's safety or risk manager. With support from leadership, many organizations can adopt a culture of safety and cyber resiliency that will provide lasting value for years to come.

Confronting safety risk with Thompson Truck & Trailer

Adopting a safe culture is often easier said than done – especially without sufficient expertise and support. TrueNorth routinely partners with businesses to build safety plans that are tailored to meet the organization’s needs. Thompson Truck & Trailer is a TrueNorth client and full-service commercial truck dealership. With eight locations and approximately 200 employees, the company partnered with TrueNorth in 2014 to implement a risk management plan that would influence all aspects of its organization and generate significant results.

“From the beginning, TrueNorth offered to walk us through the process when others would have simply presented a plan and walked away,” said Carl Bright, Thompson Truck & Trailer’s Safety Director. “TrueNorth went to work with us to get things rolling, traveling to our various locations to implement the plan with our employees.”

Through intentional safety branding and communication efforts, Thompson channels employee engagement to create a dynamic safety program that has drastically lowered their number of workplace accidents. “These efforts are now part of our culture and inspire our employees to recognize and prioritize safe behaviors – not just at work, but at home with their families.” said Bright. The company’s results demonstrate that a safe culture can engage employees, keep them safe and will continue to serve the company's evolving needs.

Improving organizational processes to achieve results.

Celebrating 20 years of employment with Thompson Truck & Trailer next year, Bright feels confident in the company’s commitment to safety and is eager to see what the future will bring. “Keeping safety at the forefront has protected our bottom line, reduced overall risk and allowed us to grow and invest in our company.”

To learn more about the impact of TrueNorth’s risk solutions and suite of services, contact Nikki Wilcox at nwilcox@truenorthcompanies.com