Wed, 03/01/2017 - 15:16

SEMA News—March 2017

NEW PRODUCTS

Compiled by SEMA News Editors

2016 SEMA Show New Products Showcase Entries

Each year, the SEMA Show is the gathering place for hundreds of exhibitors in the racing and performance markets. In 2016, Racing & Performance sprawled across more than 270,000 net square feet in the Central Hall, Racing Annex and Performance Pavilion. In addition, exhibitors entered nearly 1,000 racing and performance parts and accessories in the New Products Showcase. We’ve gathered the entries here, along with some comments from a few member-company representatives about where they anticipate future growth. Take a lap through these innovative offerings from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

View all of the racing and performance new products from the 2016 SEMA Show New Product Showcase.

Cipher Auto Inc.
Enhanced Steering Wheel
Enhanced Steering Wheel

Enhanced Steering Wheel is Cipher Auto’s newest product. This steering wheel is a direct replacement with ergo design and a flat bottom, where all of the OEM features on the steering can be relocated with no fitment issues.

This enhanced steering wheel was developed for the ’16+ Mazda Miata MX5 and ’16+ Fiat Spyder.

PN: MZMX52016

Information: www.cipherauto.com or 909-542-8868.

Magnuson Superchargers
Vengeance TVS2650 Supercharger
TVS2650 Supercharger

Magnuson Superchargers presents the Vengeance series TVS2650 supercharger system, the largest TVS supercharger produced to date, flowing 33% more than Magnuson’s own TVS2300 and 10% more flow than the competitor’s 2.9L screw.

Available for many platforms.

Information: www.magnusonproducts.com or 805-642-8833.

Ross Racing Pistons
SB Chevy Strutted Stocking Pistons With Optional 3D Profile Milling

Ross Racing Piston

Now stocking most popular combinations.

PN: 89100

Information: www.rosspistons.com or 310-536-0100. 

 

Pilot Automotive
Marvel Valve Cap

Pilot Automotive

Pilot’s Marvel valve caps add an instant signature to any vehicle.

PN: MVL-0305

Information: www.pilotautomotive.com or 626-937-6988. 

CFR Performance
LS Aluminum Water Neck
CFR Performance

This die-cast aluminum water neck features 360-degree swivel rotation, a 15-degree neck, and includes mounting hardware.

This water neck is great for engine swaps and offers multiple routing options for easy installation.

It is a great-selling and easy-to-install product.

PN: HZ-6145

Information: www.cfrsales.com or 909-947-7888.

aFe Power
Momentum Porsche Cold-Air Intake

afe power

Momentum cold-air intake system for Porsche 991 12-15 H6-3.4L/3.8L.

PN: 52-12352-C

Information: www.afepower.com or 951-493-7100.

Race Ramps
Pro-Stop Parking Guide

Race Ramps

Non-slip parking guide made from 100% recycled semi-truck tires for excellent grip on all floors, including epoxy and modular plastic flooring.

Combine two or more for wider tires.

PN: RR-PS

Information: www.raceramps.com or 906-786-0585.

Race Ramps
HD 67-in. Magna Service Ramp
Race Ramps

Lightweight, brute-strength service ramps designed for working on low-clearance vehicles by reducing angle of approach.

For vehicles up to 10,000 lbs. Magnetic trays can attach to ramps.

PN: RR-XT-2-HD

Information: www.raceramps.com or 906-786-0585.

Red Line Synthetic Oil
Professional-Series 5W40 Motor Oil

Red Line Synthetic

Fully synthetic formula certified by OE manufacturers, including applications for Porsche A40, BMW LL-01, VW/Audi 502.00/504.00, Mercedes-Benz 229.50, ACEA A3/B4-12 and API SN/SM/SL.

PN: 12704

Information: www.redlineoil.com or 707-745-6100.

ACE/ASNU
ASNU 700-, 800-, 900-, 1,000-, 1,300-,1,400- and 1,500CC GM LS Injector for LS 3, 5, 7, 76, 9, 92 and 99

ACE/ASNU

From the ASNU range of multi-hole, atomizing, high-performance injectors.

In a compact and robust, high-Z design, up to 1,500cc flow at 43.5 psi.

Information: www.asnu.com or +442084204494.

Synapse Engineering Inc.
Engine Gauge and Sensor
Synapse Engineering

The Synapse line of instrumentation features high-accuracy Swiss stepper motor gauges mated with purpose-built ceramic ASIC sensors.

Accuracy is the goal. Sensors included with each kit are high spec and can be used with a standalone motorsports ECU. Available gauges include boost, boost/vacuum, oil pressure, exhaust back-pressure and fuel pressure.

PN: SG001

Information: www.synapseengineering.com or 858-457-1700.

ACE/ASNU
ASNU 12-Injector Converter Kit for Nissan R35
ACE/ASNU

Allows an additional six ASNU injectors to be fitted to the standard inlet manifold.

Supplied as a third rail and base plate, injectors, injector driver, GTR-specific loom for secondary injectors and machining instructions for the stock manifold.

Information: www.asnu.com or 442084204494.

ACE/ASNU
ASNU Classic Injector
ACE/ASNU

From the ASNU range of multi-hole, atomizing, high-performance injectors.

The Classic injector is designed to both replace obsolete parts for those wishing to keep a cherished vehicle on the road and provide a modern alternative performance product to those wishing to retain a classic and historically accurate appearance.

Information: www.asnu.com or +442084204494.

Synapse Engineering Inc.
Radian MBC
Synapse Engineering

Synapse Engineering says that the Radian MBC is the first and only three-port manual boost controller.

Featuring three 1/8-in. NPT threaded ports. One can control the wastegate to increase boost by bleeding control pressure, interrupt the signal to quickly spool the turbo or apply pressure to keep the wastegate closed.

It can pair with a Synchronic BOV to act as an overboost safety.

PN: MBC001

Information: www.synapseengineering.com or 858-457-1700.

ACE/ASNU
ASNU 700-, 800-, 900-, 1,000-, 1,100CC Injector for ’86–’15 Ford Mustang GTs and ’07–’12 Ford Mustang GT 500s
ACE/ASNU

From the ASNU range of multi-hole, atomizing, high-Z performance injectors.

The Mustang GT plug-and-play injectors provide up to 1,000cc flow at 43.5 psi, and the Mustang GT500 injector in a plug-and-play format up to 1,100 cc at 43.5 psi.

Information: www.asnu.com or +442084204494.

Shenzhen LeMyth Brake Technology Co. Ltd.
LCCM Carbon-Fiber Composite and Carbon-Ceramic Brake System
Shenzhen LeMyth Brake Technology

LCCM carbon-fiber and carbon-ceramic brake system provides customization for vehicle’s brake system.

Information: www.ilemyth.com or +8675523339920.

Synapse Engineering Inc.
R55 Trident Radial BOV
Synapse Engineering

The R55 blow-off valve is a trident design with three exhaust ports, patented Synchronic technology eliminating the rubber diaphragm, a standard 50mm mounting flange, a twin-chamber actuator and 1/8-in. NPT threaded pneumatic ports.

It features fast actuation, is ECU controllable, has a unique sound signature and a boost-holding capability over 100+ psi.

PN: R55V001

Information: www.synapseengineering.com or 858-457-1700.

Livernois Motorsports & Engineering
Firestorm 2.3L EcoBoost HPFP Upgrade

Livernois Motorsports & Engineering

Livernois Motorsports & Engineering says that this upgraded high-pressure fuel pump for the 2.3 Ford EcoBoost engine allows for dramatically more flow than the OEM unit.

The additional flow allows for the use of high-performance turbo upgrades or high-ethanol fuel content without the need for complex auxiliary fuel systems.

This direct-fit upgrade allows for easy upgrade for high-power builds.

PN: LPP501115

Information: www.livernoismotorsports.com or 800-347-5700. 

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
LNC-2014 Launch Control Module and Timing-Retard Controller for ’14–’16 GM Gen V V8

Lingenfelter

The LNC-2014 Launch Control Module is an adjustable rpm limiter/two-step with timing retard function for GM Gen V V8-equipped vehicles, including the C7 Corvette.

PN: L460306914

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
Big-Bore Direct-Injection Fuel Pump for GM Gen V V8
Lingenfelter

The Lingenfelter Big-Bore Direct-Injection Fuel Pump for GM Gen V V8 applications provides an increase in fuel-flow capacity over the stock LT1/L86 and LT4 fuel pumps.

PN: L710156914

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

McGaughy’s Suspension
F-250/F-350 Shackle Traction Bars With Billet Face Plates
McGaughy's Suspension

F-250 shackle traction bars with billet face plates.

PN: 2017

Information: www.tirestickers.com or 559-226-8196.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
AFM/DOD Delete Block Plug Tool Kit for GM Gen IV and V V8 Engine Blocks
Lingenfelter

The AFM/DOD Delete Block Plug Tool Kit is designed to plug the AFM DOD oil-flow passages in GM Gen IV and V V8 engine blocks (L99, L76, LT1, LT4, L86,L83).

PN: L950105305

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
High-Flow Direct-Injection Kinetic Nozzle Geometry Fuel Injector
Lingenfelter

These are 22-grams-per-second High-Flow Gasoline Direct-Injection Injectors for GM Gen V V8 direct-injection engines (LT1, LT4, L86, L83).

Patented K-DI kinetic nozzle geometry. Spray targeting is designed for optimal combustion quality.

PN: L730116922

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
ECSS Ethanol Content Percentage-Warning Indicator With PNP Harness
Lingenfelter

The ECSS-001 and the supplied PNP harness connect to an existing fuel-composition sensor to monitor the ethanol content of the fuel and trigger a warning indicator or other switched output.

PN: L460390085

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 805-275-0190.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
High-Flow Direct-Injection Fuel Injectors, Pump and Camshaft Kit for GM Gen V V8

Lingenfelter

The High-Flow Direct-Injection Fuel System for DI GM V8 engines includes eight flow-matched 22-gps DI injectors, a high-flow DI fuel pump and an LPE GT35 camshaft with a 6.5mm fuel-pump lobe.

PN: 21F-SAS-05-FB1574

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

K-Mac Engineering
Kwik Fit Two-Bolt Flange Strut Camber Kits
K-Mac Engineering

Current camber adjustment is by crank bolt, downsizing the specified OEM diameter of one of the two bolts that hold the stub axle/wheel on.

K-Mac (U.S. and foreign patents) provides correct OEM diameter, three times the adjustment range, a non-slip lock system and three, not five, part numbers.

Information: www.k-mac.com or 888-414-0762.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
RIPO-001 Relay-Based DC Brushless Fan and Pump PWM Controller

Lingenfelter

The RIPO-001 allows the installation of new high-output, high-durability DC brushless fans in vehicles that currently have OEM relay-controlled fans and retain ECM control without ECM reprogramming.

PN: L460380001

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 800-222-9092.

AccuAir Suspension
ENDO Compressor Valve Tank

Accuair Suspension

AccuAir Suspension says that this is the world’s first modular air tank with the compressor and solenoid valves integrated inside (ENDO). This all-in-one package yields ultimate performance, form and function.

It is DOT-approved for 200 psi/WABCO-powered dual-stage Dryair compressor. Quick-release mounting.

Integrated flow controls. Optional sizes, finishes and configurations.

PN: AA-ENDO-CVT45

Information: www.accuair.com or 877-247-3696.

K-Mac Engineering
Camber/Caster/Coil Jackers

K-Mac Engineering

U.S. and foreign patents. Height or weight bias change in seconds not hours (one P/N fits all struts) with camber/caster in the time taken to loosen the three top strut nuts.

Said to be the world’s largest range: Audi to Volvo, including latest Mustang and Camaro.

Essential altering height, edge tire wear, steering pull. (Today’s autos only have toe and tire rotation.)

Information: www.k-mac.com or 888-414-0762.

Wagner Tuning
Competition Intercooler Kit EVO2 for Porsche 997/911

Wagner Tuning

The Wagner Tuning EVO2 Porsche 997/911 intercooler kit provides 77% more volume compared to the OEM.

Includes an increased tube-fin competition intercooler core, an improved end tank design, a carbon-fiber air shroud and silicone hoses with an enlarged cross section that ensures optimum air flow.

The kit is designed to perform and is ready for installation.

PN: 200001079

Information: www.wagner-tuning.com or 559-412-4868.

Aeromotive Inc.
Brushless Pro-Series Fuel Pump
Aeromotive

Everything you ever wanted in a high-performance fuel pump all in the same pump.

Spur-gear pumping mechanism. Brushless motor.

Inline run-wet design.

PN: 11181

Information: www.aeromotiveinc.com or 913-647-7300.

Wagner Tuning
Competition Intercooler Kit CAN-AM Maverick
Wagner Tuning

This high-performance intercooler offers 85% more charge air volume compared to the original intercooler.

The newly developed competition core supports a very high ratio of air flow and is also very light.

It will mount to the original mounting points and is easy to install.

PN: 200001095

Information: www.wagner-tuning.com or 559-412-4868.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
TMR-001 Timer Delay Control Module
Lingenfelter

The TMR-001 is a single-stage timer with two relay outputs that can be used to activate two relays to devices such as fans, pumps, nitrous controllers, line-lock, etc.

PN: L460290000

Information: www.lingenfelter.com or 260-724-2552.

Hiwow Sport
Exhaust-Gas Recirculation Pipe Jacket
Hiwow

Can withstand high temperature up to 700°C. Enables exhaust gas to maintain temperature as it moves through the exhaust system.

Can expand. Easy installation.

Information: www.hiwowsport.com or +86-57185463038.

Castrol
Edge Bio-Synthetic
Castrol

Castrol Edge Bio-Synthetic, made with 25% plant-based oil, is eco-engineered to combine fluid titanium technology with the natural lubricating properties of plants.

Information: www.castrol.com or 800-462-0835.

Billy Boat Exhaust
Deep Tone With No Drone Two-Stage Muffler System
Billy Boat Exhaust

If Billy Boat does not make an exhaust for your car, it now has an answer.

This two-step muffler combo uses a unique proprietary design to give customers a deep, rich tone without the problematic cabin drone that a packed muffler can have.

This combo also prevents unwanted harmonics and vibration. Perfect balance of comfort and musclecar tone.

PN: Uni Muffler Combo

Information: www.bbexhaust.com or 888-228-7435.

Castrol
GTX Ultraclean
Castrol

Castrol says that GTX Ultraclean is its cleanest GTX ever, providing 50% better sludge protection versus tough industry limits (as measured in the Seq. VG Sludge test).

Information: www.castrol.com or 800-462-0835.

Billy Boat Exhaust
Jeep SRT-198 Grand Cherokee Performance Exhaust
Billy Boat Exhaust

Billy Boat Jeep SRT-198 Grand Cherokee performance exhaust.

The latest addition to the company’s successful Jeep SRT line of products.

This exhaust uses 3-in., mandrel-bent tubing with a proprietary two-stage muffler system to achieve performance and a deep, rich tone with no cabin drone, all capped off with bold, double-wall, 5-in. exhaust tips.

PN: FTRU-0315

Information: www.bbexhaust.com or 888-228-7435.

Castrol
Edge Supercar
Castrol

Castrol Edge Supercar is boosted with fluid titanium technology, approved for world-leading supercars and for use in high-
performance cars.

Information: www.castrol.com or 800-462-0835.

Castrol
Edge High Mileage
Castrol

Castrol Edge High Mileage is boosted with extra fluid titanium technology to maximize performance in older cars with more than 75,000 miles.

All bottles are 7.5L, 13 in. high and 4 in. deep.

Information: www.castrol.com or 800-462-0835.

Barton Industries
Hybrid 3
Barton Industries

Full replacement shifter for the ’11–’17 Mustang GT and Boss 302. Unique mounting design allows the shifter to be mounted to the car’s body or directly bolted to the transmission.

Features a 25% throw reduction and adjustable spring pressure. Unique linkage design can be mounted as a solid linkage or pivot for body-mounted applications.

PN: BMHYB15-2

Information: www.bartonindustries.com or 607-863-4757.

Billy Boat Exhaust
B8 S4 3.0L Performance Exhaust
Billy Boat Exhaust

Billy Boat Exhaust now offers the Audi B8 S4 performance exhaust, which continues a long line of manufacturing successful Audi exhaust systems dating back to the B5 in the late ’90s.

The B8 S4 system uses a proprietary combination of mufflers to achieve
a deep, rich tone with no cabin drone.

PN: FPIM-0575

Information: www.bbexhaust.com or 888-228-7435.

Valvoline
Heavy-Duty Diesel With MaxLife Technology Motor Oil
Valvoline

Valvoline Heavy Duty with MaxLife Technology 15W-40 motor oil is a premium synthetic-blend lubricant formulated to help maximize the life of high-mileage diesel engines (more than 125,000 miles).

It also provides superior protection against the four major causes of diesel (heavy-duty) engine breakdown: wear, deposits, leaks and soot.

PN: 869035

Information: www.valvoline.com or 800-832-6825.

McGaughy’s Suspension
GM 2500/3500 Shackle Traction Bars With Billet Faceplates
McGaughy's Suspension

McGaughy’s Suspension  GM 2500/3500 ’11–’17 shackle traction bars with billet faceplates.

Information: www.mcgaughys.com or 559-226-8196.

Wagner Tuning
Competition Intercooler Kit for Ford Focus RS MK3
Wagner Tuning

The competition intercooler has been designed to provide a 10% larger frontal area and 72% more volume compared to the original intercooler.

Wagner Tuning has increased the intercooler core size and efficiency as well as improved the end tank design to remove any OEM bottlenecks, resulting in an increased flow rating and charge cooling properties.

PN: 200001090

Information: www.wagner-tuning.com or 559-412-4868. 

McGaughy’s Suspension
’11–’16 GM 2500/3500 10-in. Premium Lift Kit With Billet Faceplates
McGaughy's Suspension

McGaughy’s Suspension ’11–’16 GM 2500/3500 10-in. premium lift kit with billet faceplates.

PN: 52370, 52371

Information: www.mcgaughys.com or 559-226-8196.

McGaughy’s Suspension
’14–’16 1/2-Ton GM SUV 2/3- and 3/5-in. Drop Kit With Front Struts
McGaughy's Suspension

McGaughy’s Suspension ’14–’16 1/2-ton GM SUV 2/3- and 3/5-in. lowering kit with front struts.

PN: 34215

Information: www.mcgaughys.com or 559-226-8196.

McGaughy’s Suspension
’16 1/2-Ton GM 1500 Truck 3/5- to 4/6-in. Adjustable Drop
McGaughy's Suspension

McGaughy’s Suspension ’16 1/2-ton GM 1500 truck 3/5- to 4/6-in. adjustable-drop, one-box lowering kit.

PN: 34270

Information: www.mcgaughys.com or 559-226-8196.

Wagner Tuning
Competition Intercooler Kit EVO2 for Ford Mustang
Wagner Tuning

Wagner Tuning has increased the intercooler core size, providing a 175% larger frontal area and 226% more volume compared to the original intercooler.

The company has increased the intercooler core size and efficiency and improved the end tank design to remove any OEM bottlenecks, resulting in increased flow rating and charge cooling properties.

PN: 200001074

Information: www.wagner-tuning.com or 559-412-4868.

GFB Go Fast Bits
FX-R Fuel-Pressure Regulator
Go Fast Bits

The GFB FX-R offers precise and reliable fuel-pressure control on EFI systems up to 1,500 hp and is compatible with gasoline, ethanol, methanol or diesel.

PN: 8060

Information: www.gfb.com.au or +61-295340099.

GFB Go Fast Bits
FX-S Fuel Pressure Regulator
Go Fast Bits

The GFB FX-S offers precise and reliable fuel-pressure control on EFI systems up to 800 hp and is compatible with gasoline, ethanol, methanol or diesel.

PN: 8050

Information: www.gfb.com.au or +61-295340099.

View all of the racing and performance new products from the 2016 SEMA Show New Product Showcase.

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 13:42

By Jason Catullo

Exhibitors that submit booth space applications for the 2017 SEMA Show by Friday, March 31, are included in the priority booth space selection process. With less than a month to submit applications, exhibitors are encouraged to consider their goals for exhibiting at the Show and determine what booth size to choose based on display needs.

Reserve your booth for the 2017 SEMA Show here.

Here are sample questions to address to help choose the optimal booth size for your company.

  • Will you conduct a product demonstration on the Show floor?
  • Do you need a booth vehicle to correctly present your product?
  • Will you need space for a celebrity appearance?
  • Will you need display cases?

Learn more about selecting the correct booth size for your company by reading, “Know the 3 Types of SEMA Show Booths.”

Account representatives are available to assist with general planning, and will help exhibitors identify the best booth space to accomplish their goals. Contact a rep at sales@sema.org, 909-396-0289, or apply for a booth by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 13:42

By Jason Catullo

Exhibitors that submit booth space applications for the 2017 SEMA Show by Friday, March 31, are included in the priority booth space selection process. With less than a month to submit applications, exhibitors are encouraged to consider their goals for exhibiting at the Show and determine what booth size to choose based on display needs.

Reserve your booth for the 2017 SEMA Show here.

Here are sample questions to address to help choose the optimal booth size for your company.

  • Will you conduct a product demonstration on the Show floor?
  • Do you need a booth vehicle to correctly present your product?
  • Will you need space for a celebrity appearance?
  • Will you need display cases?

Learn more about selecting the correct booth size for your company by reading, “Know the 3 Types of SEMA Show Booths.”

Account representatives are available to assist with general planning, and will help exhibitors identify the best booth space to accomplish their goals. Contact a rep at sales@sema.org, 909-396-0289, or apply for a booth by visiting www.SEMAShow.com/buyabooth.

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 09:26

SEMA News—March 2017

BUSINESS

By Bob Corwin

Cyber Attack!

Is Your Business Covered?

Cyber Attack
What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data.

Although cyber threats on Fortune 500 companies make headlines, victims come in all shapes and sizes. Ponemon Institute, a Michigan-based research center dedicated to research on privacy, data protection and information security, found that 51% of surveyed CEOs reported experiencing a data breach not just daily but hourly.

No business is immune. Cyber attackers prey on everyone from local stores that collect customer email addresses for promotions to car dealers that communicate with buyers via their smartphones. In the automotive aftermarket, any retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer that collects consumer credit-card and personal data is a potential target. And it doesn’t stop with consumer data. A data breach can also include employee records, social-security numbers and personal email addresses.

Outside of the well-publicized data breaches that have recently rocked large companies such as Sony, Target and Blue Cross, the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego, California, documented more than 761 known data breaches exposing more than 83 million records in 2014 alone. Many of these were smaller companies. The financial consequences to businesses of any size can easily run into millions of dollars.

What Hackers Want

What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data. Nation-affiliated or client hackers are most often in search of credential and internal organizational data, along with trade secrets. Hacktivists want credentials, personal and organizational data. On the black market, a single social-security number can fetch $30, while a “full identity kit” can sell for up to $1,300. However, a cyber thief’s motivation isn’t always financial gain. They can equally be out to blackmail, embarrass or take revenge on organizations and institutions or merely disrupt them for a variety of reasons.

Think of all the places where your company and personal information resides and all the ways it can be shared or transferred in today’s connected world, and you begin to get an idea of the enormity of the risks. Moreover, every employee who uses the internet is vulnerable, therefore making your business vulnerable.

According to the Ponemon Institute, employees’ personal smartphones and tablets are the devices most susceptible to security breaches. A mobile study found that 68% of employers allow employees to use their own mobile devices at work, yet 81% had no knowledge of the regulated data that resides on those devices.

In short, many businesses fail to grasp the true risks they face, let alone take steps to protect and insure themselves against such attacks. The December 2016 edition of SEMA News offered best practices for what to do before and after the unthinkable does occur (“We’ve Been Hacked!,” p. 52). This article complements that advice with guidance on insurance against potential losses from cyber attacks.

Basically, there are three ways of mitigating the risks of cyber attacks. First, you can try to eliminate or reduce your own risk. Second, you can assume your risk and all its consequences yourself. Or third, you can adopt the practice of “transferring” your cyber risk and protecting your company assets through insurance. However, over the past several years, an increasing number of general-liability insurance carriers have come to exclude security breaches and other electronic threats that could give rise to a claim from their policies. Therefore, if you opt for insurance, it’s more important than ever to consider adding specific cyber liability coverage to your risk-management portfolio. Purchasing such data privacy coverage before disaster strikes is key to its affordability.

When approaching the insurance marketplace, keep in mind the following questions:

  • Does your business store sensitive data about clients, products, personal employee information, financial data or medical information?
  • Does your business use a service provider that stores any sensitive data on your behalf?
  • Does your organization use computers, mobile devices and/or the internet?
  • How might a breach negatively affect your business’ performance?
  • Do you know the cost associated with dealing with a cyber attack?
  • Do you have a preparedness plan in place?
  • Do you know the regulatory, state and federal laws surrounding data breaches?

While the answers to those questions will help tailor the correct policies to your needs, the following coverages are considered essential to most cyber liability policies:

  • Liability coverage for identity theft; breach of privacy; failure to protect confidential client data; and transmission of spyware, viruses and malicious code.
  • Liability protection against a breach occurring through your service provider where your company is nevertheless held responsible.
  • Coverage for forensic analysis, notification and call-center costs, including credit monitoring and identity-theft prevention services.
  • Worldwide protection.

Note that protecting your company from third-party consumer losses is as important as first-party losses. Your direct loss of productivity, profitability, reputation, data and even costs associated with regulatory government investigation and penalties are musts to factor into any coverage you purchase.

Remember that your company’s finances and reputation are at risk when a breach occurs. Many companies assume that cyber attacks will always come from outside their organization, but they often originate within a business. What if an employee steals client information for personal benefit? What if an employee loses confidential data or turns over sensitive customer information to the wrong recipient? You need to consider these risks when seeking insurance protection, and make certain that you get all of the essential coverages in your policy.

Best-Practices Basics

Of course, insurance protection assumes that your company is applying best practices to its cyber defense. There are well over 20 methods that must be employed in this regard, but some may be admittedly beyond the in-house reach of the average company. For sophisticated IT systems, the importance of hiring consultants or organizations specializing in cyber security to assist your company cannot be underestimated, since there is so much at stake. Nevertheless, there are many basics your company can start with. The cyber essentials concentrate on five key controls:

  • Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways: These are devices designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from private networks. Note that proper setup of these devices, either in hardware or software form, is important for them to be fully effective.
  • Secure Configuration: Ensuring that systems are configured in the most secure way for the needs of the organization.
  • Access Control: Ensuring that only those who should have access to systems actually have that access at the appropriate levels.
  • Malware Protection: Ensuring that virus and malware protection is installed and up-to-date.
  • Patch Management: Ensuring that the latest supported versions of applications are used and all of the necessary patches supplied by the vendor have been applied.

When it comes to cyber attacks, the days of “it won’t happen to us” are over. Cyber crime occurs every day, and no company is immune. Of course, amid all the unabated hacks and attacks, we hear only of the data breaches but seldom of the companies that successfully defend themselves against them. There is no better time than now to update, improve and defend your company from cyber attacks—and no better time than before a data breach occurs to consider the purchase of a corporate cyber liability insurance policy. Doing so may well number your company among the unsung cyber heroes.

Bob Corwin is first vice president of Alliant Insurance Services and coordinates insurance programs on behalf of SEMA members. He can be reached at 760-304-7114 or bcorwin@alliant.com.

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 09:26

SEMA News—March 2017

BUSINESS

By Bob Corwin

Cyber Attack!

Is Your Business Covered?

Cyber Attack
What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data.

Although cyber threats on Fortune 500 companies make headlines, victims come in all shapes and sizes. Ponemon Institute, a Michigan-based research center dedicated to research on privacy, data protection and information security, found that 51% of surveyed CEOs reported experiencing a data breach not just daily but hourly.

No business is immune. Cyber attackers prey on everyone from local stores that collect customer email addresses for promotions to car dealers that communicate with buyers via their smartphones. In the automotive aftermarket, any retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer that collects consumer credit-card and personal data is a potential target. And it doesn’t stop with consumer data. A data breach can also include employee records, social-security numbers and personal email addresses.

Outside of the well-publicized data breaches that have recently rocked large companies such as Sony, Target and Blue Cross, the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego, California, documented more than 761 known data breaches exposing more than 83 million records in 2014 alone. Many of these were smaller companies. The financial consequences to businesses of any size can easily run into millions of dollars.

What Hackers Want

What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data. Nation-affiliated or client hackers are most often in search of credential and internal organizational data, along with trade secrets. Hacktivists want credentials, personal and organizational data. On the black market, a single social-security number can fetch $30, while a “full identity kit” can sell for up to $1,300. However, a cyber thief’s motivation isn’t always financial gain. They can equally be out to blackmail, embarrass or take revenge on organizations and institutions or merely disrupt them for a variety of reasons.

Think of all the places where your company and personal information resides and all the ways it can be shared or transferred in today’s connected world, and you begin to get an idea of the enormity of the risks. Moreover, every employee who uses the internet is vulnerable, therefore making your business vulnerable.

According to the Ponemon Institute, employees’ personal smartphones and tablets are the devices most susceptible to security breaches. A mobile study found that 68% of employers allow employees to use their own mobile devices at work, yet 81% had no knowledge of the regulated data that resides on those devices.

In short, many businesses fail to grasp the true risks they face, let alone take steps to protect and insure themselves against such attacks. The December 2016 edition of SEMA News offered best practices for what to do before and after the unthinkable does occur (“We’ve Been Hacked!,” p. 52). This article complements that advice with guidance on insurance against potential losses from cyber attacks.

Basically, there are three ways of mitigating the risks of cyber attacks. First, you can try to eliminate or reduce your own risk. Second, you can assume your risk and all its consequences yourself. Or third, you can adopt the practice of “transferring” your cyber risk and protecting your company assets through insurance. However, over the past several years, an increasing number of general-liability insurance carriers have come to exclude security breaches and other electronic threats that could give rise to a claim from their policies. Therefore, if you opt for insurance, it’s more important than ever to consider adding specific cyber liability coverage to your risk-management portfolio. Purchasing such data privacy coverage before disaster strikes is key to its affordability.

When approaching the insurance marketplace, keep in mind the following questions:

  • Does your business store sensitive data about clients, products, personal employee information, financial data or medical information?
  • Does your business use a service provider that stores any sensitive data on your behalf?
  • Does your organization use computers, mobile devices and/or the internet?
  • How might a breach negatively affect your business’ performance?
  • Do you know the cost associated with dealing with a cyber attack?
  • Do you have a preparedness plan in place?
  • Do you know the regulatory, state and federal laws surrounding data breaches?

While the answers to those questions will help tailor the correct policies to your needs, the following coverages are considered essential to most cyber liability policies:

  • Liability coverage for identity theft; breach of privacy; failure to protect confidential client data; and transmission of spyware, viruses and malicious code.
  • Liability protection against a breach occurring through your service provider where your company is nevertheless held responsible.
  • Coverage for forensic analysis, notification and call-center costs, including credit monitoring and identity-theft prevention services.
  • Worldwide protection.

Note that protecting your company from third-party consumer losses is as important as first-party losses. Your direct loss of productivity, profitability, reputation, data and even costs associated with regulatory government investigation and penalties are musts to factor into any coverage you purchase.

Remember that your company’s finances and reputation are at risk when a breach occurs. Many companies assume that cyber attacks will always come from outside their organization, but they often originate within a business. What if an employee steals client information for personal benefit? What if an employee loses confidential data or turns over sensitive customer information to the wrong recipient? You need to consider these risks when seeking insurance protection, and make certain that you get all of the essential coverages in your policy.

Best-Practices Basics

Of course, insurance protection assumes that your company is applying best practices to its cyber defense. There are well over 20 methods that must be employed in this regard, but some may be admittedly beyond the in-house reach of the average company. For sophisticated IT systems, the importance of hiring consultants or organizations specializing in cyber security to assist your company cannot be underestimated, since there is so much at stake. Nevertheless, there are many basics your company can start with. The cyber essentials concentrate on five key controls:

  • Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways: These are devices designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from private networks. Note that proper setup of these devices, either in hardware or software form, is important for them to be fully effective.
  • Secure Configuration: Ensuring that systems are configured in the most secure way for the needs of the organization.
  • Access Control: Ensuring that only those who should have access to systems actually have that access at the appropriate levels.
  • Malware Protection: Ensuring that virus and malware protection is installed and up-to-date.
  • Patch Management: Ensuring that the latest supported versions of applications are used and all of the necessary patches supplied by the vendor have been applied.

When it comes to cyber attacks, the days of “it won’t happen to us” are over. Cyber crime occurs every day, and no company is immune. Of course, amid all the unabated hacks and attacks, we hear only of the data breaches but seldom of the companies that successfully defend themselves against them. There is no better time than now to update, improve and defend your company from cyber attacks—and no better time than before a data breach occurs to consider the purchase of a corporate cyber liability insurance policy. Doing so may well number your company among the unsung cyber heroes.

Bob Corwin is first vice president of Alliant Insurance Services and coordinates insurance programs on behalf of SEMA members. He can be reached at 760-304-7114 or bcorwin@alliant.com.

Wed, 03/01/2017 - 09:26

SEMA News—March 2017

BUSINESS

By Bob Corwin

Cyber Attack!

Is Your Business Covered?

Cyber Attack
What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data.

Although cyber threats on Fortune 500 companies make headlines, victims come in all shapes and sizes. Ponemon Institute, a Michigan-based research center dedicated to research on privacy, data protection and information security, found that 51% of surveyed CEOs reported experiencing a data breach not just daily but hourly.

No business is immune. Cyber attackers prey on everyone from local stores that collect customer email addresses for promotions to car dealers that communicate with buyers via their smartphones. In the automotive aftermarket, any retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer that collects consumer credit-card and personal data is a potential target. And it doesn’t stop with consumer data. A data breach can also include employee records, social-security numbers and personal email addresses.

Outside of the well-publicized data breaches that have recently rocked large companies such as Sony, Target and Blue Cross, the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego, California, documented more than 761 known data breaches exposing more than 83 million records in 2014 alone. Many of these were smaller companies. The financial consequences to businesses of any size can easily run into millions of dollars.

What Hackers Want

What do cyber thieves want? Organized crime generally targets credit-card, bank-account and credential data. Nation-affiliated or client hackers are most often in search of credential and internal organizational data, along with trade secrets. Hacktivists want credentials, personal and organizational data. On the black market, a single social-security number can fetch $30, while a “full identity kit” can sell for up to $1,300. However, a cyber thief’s motivation isn’t always financial gain. They can equally be out to blackmail, embarrass or take revenge on organizations and institutions or merely disrupt them for a variety of reasons.

Think of all the places where your company and personal information resides and all the ways it can be shared or transferred in today’s connected world, and you begin to get an idea of the enormity of the risks. Moreover, every employee who uses the internet is vulnerable, therefore making your business vulnerable.

According to the Ponemon Institute, employees’ personal smartphones and tablets are the devices most susceptible to security breaches. A mobile study found that 68% of employers allow employees to use their own mobile devices at work, yet 81% had no knowledge of the regulated data that resides on those devices.

In short, many businesses fail to grasp the true risks they face, let alone take steps to protect and insure themselves against such attacks. The December 2016 edition of SEMA News offered best practices for what to do before and after the unthinkable does occur (“We’ve Been Hacked!,” p. 52). This article complements that advice with guidance on insurance against potential losses from cyber attacks.

Basically, there are three ways of mitigating the risks of cyber attacks. First, you can try to eliminate or reduce your own risk. Second, you can assume your risk and all its consequences yourself. Or third, you can adopt the practice of “transferring” your cyber risk and protecting your company assets through insurance. However, over the past several years, an increasing number of general-liability insurance carriers have come to exclude security breaches and other electronic threats that could give rise to a claim from their policies. Therefore, if you opt for insurance, it’s more important than ever to consider adding specific cyber liability coverage to your risk-management portfolio. Purchasing such data privacy coverage before disaster strikes is key to its affordability.

When approaching the insurance marketplace, keep in mind the following questions:

  • Does your business store sensitive data about clients, products, personal employee information, financial data or medical information?
  • Does your business use a service provider that stores any sensitive data on your behalf?
  • Does your organization use computers, mobile devices and/or the internet?
  • How might a breach negatively affect your business’ performance?
  • Do you know the cost associated with dealing with a cyber attack?
  • Do you have a preparedness plan in place?
  • Do you know the regulatory, state and federal laws surrounding data breaches?

While the answers to those questions will help tailor the correct policies to your needs, the following coverages are considered essential to most cyber liability policies:

  • Liability coverage for identity theft; breach of privacy; failure to protect confidential client data; and transmission of spyware, viruses and malicious code.
  • Liability protection against a breach occurring through your service provider where your company is nevertheless held responsible.
  • Coverage for forensic analysis, notification and call-center costs, including credit monitoring and identity-theft prevention services.
  • Worldwide protection.

Note that protecting your company from third-party consumer losses is as important as first-party losses. Your direct loss of productivity, profitability, reputation, data and even costs associated with regulatory government investigation and penalties are musts to factor into any coverage you purchase.

Remember that your company’s finances and reputation are at risk when a breach occurs. Many companies assume that cyber attacks will always come from outside their organization, but they often originate within a business. What if an employee steals client information for personal benefit? What if an employee loses confidential data or turns over sensitive customer information to the wrong recipient? You need to consider these risks when seeking insurance protection, and make certain that you get all of the essential coverages in your policy.

Best-Practices Basics

Of course, insurance protection assumes that your company is applying best practices to its cyber defense. There are well over 20 methods that must be employed in this regard, but some may be admittedly beyond the in-house reach of the average company. For sophisticated IT systems, the importance of hiring consultants or organizations specializing in cyber security to assist your company cannot be underestimated, since there is so much at stake. Nevertheless, there are many basics your company can start with. The cyber essentials concentrate on five key controls:

  • Boundary Firewalls and Internet Gateways: These are devices designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from private networks. Note that proper setup of these devices, either in hardware or software form, is important for them to be fully effective.
  • Secure Configuration: Ensuring that systems are configured in the most secure way for the needs of the organization.
  • Access Control: Ensuring that only those who should have access to systems actually have that access at the appropriate levels.
  • Malware Protection: Ensuring that virus and malware protection is installed and up-to-date.
  • Patch Management: Ensuring that the latest supported versions of applications are used and all of the necessary patches supplied by the vendor have been applied.

When it comes to cyber attacks, the days of “it won’t happen to us” are over. Cyber crime occurs every day, and no company is immune. Of course, amid all the unabated hacks and attacks, we hear only of the data breaches but seldom of the companies that successfully defend themselves against them. There is no better time than now to update, improve and defend your company from cyber attacks—and no better time than before a data breach occurs to consider the purchase of a corporate cyber liability insurance policy. Doing so may well number your company among the unsung cyber heroes.

Bob Corwin is first vice president of Alliant Insurance Services and coordinates insurance programs on behalf of SEMA members. He can be reached at 760-304-7114 or bcorwin@alliant.com.

Thu, 02/23/2017 - 15:54

By Amelia Zwecher

wellness
Workplace wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending.

It’s a common myth that corporations and other large businesses often host wellness programs, but small businesses do not.

Compliant wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending. The New York Times stated that wellness programs have grown into a $6 billion industry because employers believe the efforts help employees and the bottom line. For a small business, offering a wellness program can pay off handsomely. Many employers report that health-conscious employees are absent less frequently, are more productive in the workplace and have fewer doctor visits.

There are many types of wellness programs available for small businesses. They include:

  • Year-long or less fitness programs that allow employees to partake in friendly competition.
  • Vending machines with healthy snack options.
  • Asking for employee feedback.
  • Setting up a rewards program with monetary or non-monetary forms of recognition.
  • Offering Lunch ‘n’ Learn workshops/webinars.
  • Hosting an annual physical activity campaign (i.e., soccer, baseball, volleyball or a bowling tournament).
  • Designating a company wellness leader to help keep the program’s momentum.

Wellness programs can also improve employee retention. Employees are empowered when they feel appreciated and acknowledged.

To learn more about wellness programs, visit the newly launched HR Hub, which offers expert advice and material. Read more about the HR Hub if you missed last week’s SEMA eNews announcement.

For more information, contact Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR at ameliaz@sema.org.

Thu, 02/23/2017 - 15:54

By Amelia Zwecher

wellness
Workplace wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending.

It’s a common myth that corporations and other large businesses often host wellness programs, but small businesses do not.

Compliant wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending. The New York Times stated that wellness programs have grown into a $6 billion industry because employers believe the efforts help employees and the bottom line. For a small business, offering a wellness program can pay off handsomely. Many employers report that health-conscious employees are absent less frequently, are more productive in the workplace and have fewer doctor visits.

There are many types of wellness programs available for small businesses. They include:

  • Year-long or less fitness programs that allow employees to partake in friendly competition.
  • Vending machines with healthy snack options.
  • Asking for employee feedback.
  • Setting up a rewards program with monetary or non-monetary forms of recognition.
  • Offering Lunch ‘n’ Learn workshops/webinars.
  • Hosting an annual physical activity campaign (i.e., soccer, baseball, volleyball or a bowling tournament).
  • Designating a company wellness leader to help keep the program’s momentum.

Wellness programs can also improve employee retention. Employees are empowered when they feel appreciated and acknowledged.

To learn more about wellness programs, visit the newly launched HR Hub, which offers expert advice and material. Read more about the HR Hub if you missed last week’s SEMA eNews announcement.

For more information, contact Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR at ameliaz@sema.org.

Thu, 02/23/2017 - 15:54

By Amelia Zwecher

wellness
Workplace wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending.

It’s a common myth that corporations and other large businesses often host wellness programs, but small businesses do not.

Compliant wellness programs may help to lower and control health care spending. The New York Times stated that wellness programs have grown into a $6 billion industry because employers believe the efforts help employees and the bottom line. For a small business, offering a wellness program can pay off handsomely. Many employers report that health-conscious employees are absent less frequently, are more productive in the workplace and have fewer doctor visits.

There are many types of wellness programs available for small businesses. They include:

  • Year-long or less fitness programs that allow employees to partake in friendly competition.
  • Vending machines with healthy snack options.
  • Asking for employee feedback.
  • Setting up a rewards program with monetary or non-monetary forms of recognition.
  • Offering Lunch ‘n’ Learn workshops/webinars.
  • Hosting an annual physical activity campaign (i.e., soccer, baseball, volleyball or a bowling tournament).
  • Designating a company wellness leader to help keep the program’s momentum.

Wellness programs can also improve employee retention. Employees are empowered when they feel appreciated and acknowledged.

To learn more about wellness programs, visit the newly launched HR Hub, which offers expert advice and material. Read more about the HR Hub if you missed last week’s SEMA eNews announcement.

For more information, contact Manager of Career Services Amelia F. Zwecher, PhD, PHR at ameliaz@sema.org.

Thu, 02/23/2017 - 15:11

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

virginia
Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates.

Legislation to exempt a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is licensed as an antique vehicle from the imposition of local license tax and fees was approved by the Virginia House of Delegates. Having already been approved by the Virginia Senate, the bill will now be sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law. Virginia law defines an antique motor vehicle as every motor vehicle which was actually manufactured or designated by the automaker as a model manufactured in a calendar year not less than 25 years prior to January 1 of each calendar year, and is owned solely as a collector's item.  

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.