Connect with us

Technology

EC-Council Expands Technology Risk Capabilities Through Acquisition of Cyber Insurance Academy

Published

2 days ago

on

The strategic acquisition brings together cybersecurity, AI and insurance expertise, extending EC-Council’s people, process and technology capabilities into the insurance industry.

Acquisition at a Glance

EC-Council has acquired Cyber Insurance Academy, the credentialing body for the cyber and AI insurance industries.Cyber Insurance Academy will continue under its existing brand and leadership as an EC-Council Company.The acquisition extends EC-Council’s people, process and technology capabilities into the insurance industry.Cyber Insurance Academy will expand beyond cyber insurance into AI risk, emerging technology risk and role-based technology education.The flagship Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist designation has been updated as CCIS v2, with new coverage of AI-driven threats, AI governance and AI-related insurance exposures.Cyber Insurance Academy’s programs are accredited by CII, ANZIIF, RIBO and NIBA and are continuing education approved in more than 45 U.S. states.

HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EC-Council, creator of the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential and a global leader advancing Cybersecurity and Responsible AI through its Adopt. Defend. Govern. (ADG) Framework, today announced the acquisition of Cyber Insurance Academy, the credentialing body for the cyber and AI insurance industries.

The acquisition expands EC-Council’s capabilities into insurance at a time when technology is becoming increasingly embedded in the risks insurers assess, price and manage. Cyber Insurance Academy will continue to operate under its existing brand and leadership as an EC-Council Company, while expanding its portfolio beyond cyber insurance into AI risk, emerging technology risk and practical technology education for the broader insurance community.

For EC-Council, the acquisition supports its broader approach to Cybersecurity and Responsible AI, which brings together people, process and technology to help organizations build capability, manage risk and govern emerging technologies. Cyber Insurance Academy extends that approach into insurance by strengthening the knowledge and capabilities of the professionals responsible for understanding and transferring technology risk.

The acquisition also responds to a gap EC-Council has seen across the industry. The professionals responsible for assessing, pricing, placing, and managing cyber and AI risk, from underwriters and brokers to risk managers and claims professionals, rarely come from a technology background, while those with deep technical expertise seldom work in the language of insurance. Rather than entering insurance from the outside, EC-Council chose to join an organization already closing that gap from within the industry.

“Technology is now embedded across almost every dimension of enterprise risk, and managing that risk requires more than technical controls alone. It requires skilled people, accountable processes and the ability to understand how technology changes exposure,” said Jay Bavisi, Founder & Group CEO, EC-Council. “Cyber Insurance Academy brings deep insurance expertise to that equation. Together, we can help build the technology fluency the insurance industry increasingly needs as cyber, AI and emerging technologies reshape the risk landscape.”

Technology is already changing how insurers approach underwriting, claims, governance and risk management. AI is introducing new questions around accountability, liability and exposure, while autonomous systems, connected technologies and next-generation computing are creating increasingly complex forms of risk.

Cyber Insurance Academy has built its expertise at this intersection of technology and insurance. Its programs are designed for brokers, underwriters, claims professionals and risk managers and are accredited by CII, ANZIIF, RIBO and NIBA, with continuing education approval in more than 45 U.S. states.

The Academy’s programs are developed by people who understand both the technology and the business of insurance, giving professionals the confidence to make sound decisions on technology risk and become true risk experts without needing to become technical experts.

Under EC-Council, cyber insurance will remain the Academy’s core focus while its capabilities expand into three areas: AI risk, emerging technology risk and role-based technology education for insurance professionals.

The expanded portfolio will include education on how AI changes exposures, underwriting, claims and governance across insurance portfolios; emerging risks associated with technologies such as autonomous systems and quantum computing; and practical learning designed to help non-technical professionals understand the technologies behind the risks they place, price and manage.

The aim is not to chase every new technology trend, but to keep the insurance industry a step ahead of the risks it is increasingly being asked to cover.

“Every insurance professional is now a technology risk professional, whether they realize it or not,” said Guy Simkin, Co-Founder and CEO, Cyber Insurance Academy. “Cyber is where we started, not where we stop. With EC-Council, we can take what we have built for cyber insurance to the wider industry, beginning with AI and the emerging risks that will increasingly shape insurance.”

“The technologies influencing insurance risk are evolving rapidly, and the industry needs education that evolves with them,” said Asaf Armoni, Co-Founder, CTO and COO, Cyber Insurance Academy. “EC-Council brings the technical depth and scale that allow us to expand our capabilities while staying focused on what insurance professionals need to make informed decisions.”

The acquisition also provides Cyber Insurance Academy access to EC-Council’s technical expertise, global network and cybersecurity and AI capabilities, while EC-Council gains a dedicated insurance education business with established industry relationships and credentialing expertise.

For learners, this means course material shaped by specialists who study emerging threats first-hand, and a broader catalogue developed faster, as technical content no longer needs to be sourced externally.

As part of this expansion, Cyber Insurance Academy has rebuilt its flagship Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) designation for the AI era. CCIS v2 includes new coverage of AI-driven threats, AI governance and the exposures AI creates across insurance portfolios.

The Academy will deliver its expanded portfolio through self-paced learning, role-based certifications, professional designations and enterprise programs for carriers, brokers and managing general agents seeking to strengthen technology capabilities across their teams.

Cyber Insurance Academy will continue under the leadership of Guy Simkin, Co-Founder and CEO, and Asaf Armoni, Co-Founder, CTO and COO. Its brand, leadership and cyber insurance foundation will remain unchanged, supported by EC-Council’s broader technical and global capabilities.

About Cyber Insurance Academy

The Delaware company, Cyber Insurance Academy, is the credentialing body for the cyber and AI insurance industries is the credentialing body for the cyber and AI insurance industries. Built by the industry, for the industry, it trains brokers, underwriters, claims professionals and risk managers through its flagship Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) designation and is expanding its offering to deliver technology education on AI and emerging risks to the broader insurance community.

Its programs are accredited by CII, ANZIIF, RIBO and NIBA and are continuing education approved in more than 45 U.S. states. Cyber Insurance Academy is an EC-Council Company.

For more information, visit: https://www.cyberinsuranceacademy.com/

About EC-Council 

Founded in 2001, EC-Council is a global cybersecurity and AI organization focused on building the skills, capabilities and systems required for a more secure digital future. 

EC-Council created the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and has certified more than 400,000 professionals across 174 countries. Its programs and credentials are used across government, defense, enterprise, and academia worldwide.  

As an ISO/IEC 17024 accredited certification body, EC-Council’s credentials are recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense under DoD Directive 8140 and are held by professionals across the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and leading global organizations. 

As cybersecurity and AI converge, EC-Council is advancing Responsible AI through its proprietary Adopt. Defend. Govern. (ADG) Framework, bringing together people, process and technology to help organizations adopt AI responsibly, defend digital environments and govern emerging technologies with greater accountability. 

The EC-Council ecosystem includes EC-Council, EC-Council University (ECCU), CodeRed, EC-Council Global Services (EGS), EC-Council Academia, and Aware.  

CONTACT: press@eccouncil.org 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/ec-council-expands-technology-risk-capabilities-through-acquisition-of-cyber-insurance-academy-302915662.html

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Technology

LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

Published

42 minutes ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

Continue Reading

Technology

STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

Continue Reading

Technology

Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

Published

2 hours ago

on

October 24, 2026

By

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Continue Reading

Trending