In Practice November 14, 2022

SPARK Releases Updated Data Security Best Practices

Updates were developed by SPARK Institutes data security oversight board, are consistent with the DOL best practices.

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The SPARK Institute released Monday its Plan Sponsor & Advisor Guide to Cybersecurity, laying out its specific data security “Best Practices and seventeen Control Objectives.”

Developed by its Data Security Oversight Board, SPARK’s best practices and control objectives establish a base of communications between recordkeepers and the public through third-party audits of cybersecurity control objectives, according to a press release.

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“Plan sponsors have an important role in working with service providers so that they have controls in place that are following cybersecurity best practices. The revised SPARK Data Security reporting standard helps in that regard,” said Dennis Lamm, a SPARK DSOB member and Fidelity Investments senior vice president and head of customer protection, in the release. “SPARK’s retirement industry cybersecurity leaders drew on their deep expertise in an unprecedented collaborative effort to come up with an action plan to help recordkeepers communicate the full capabilities of their cybersecurity systems to plan consultants, clients and prospects.”

SPARK Institute executive director Tim Rouse said the control objectives are consistent with and in alignment with the Department of Labor Cybersecurity Program Best Practices released last year.

“They also satisfy the requirements for Reliable Annual Third-Party Audit of Security Controls for recordkeepers,” Rouse said. “From recent surveys of members, all DSOB members developed controls that build on current industry guidance and practices in an effort to better protect retirement assets against criminal cyber activity and enable plan sponsors and advisors better manage their fiduciary responsibility.”

More information on the updates can be found on the SPARK Institute website.

Products November 14, 2022

Alight Expands Partner Network to Add Well-Being Solutions

Worklife platform’s new partners add musculoskeletal care and tobacco cessation solutions to promote employees’ well-being.

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Alight, Inc., a cloud-based human capital technology and services provider, announced additions to the Alight Partner Network, designed to provide additional high-value options that promote employees’ well-being, according to a company press release.

The Partner Network seeks to combine content, solutions and delivery services on the Alight Worklife platform to help employers improve well-being offerings for employees.

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“Just as society has become more diverse, so has today’s workforce, and with that comes the need for personalized benefits that will meet the specific needs of employees and their loved ones in order to live happier, healthier lives and achieve total well-being,” said Alison Borland, Alight executive vice president of wealth and well-being solutions, in the release. “As part of our partner network, Hinge Health and Quit Genius offer the support and resources today’s workers need to address specific care needs while helping employers reduce medical costs through caring for specific conditions.”

Hinge Health is an end-to-end digital musculoskeletal clinic that addresses preventative, acute, chronic and pre- and post-surgery care for MSK conditions, such as back and joint pain, the release says. Hinge Health’s holistic approach includes a comprehensive clinical care team, advanced motion tracking technology, wearable pain relief devices, educational content and real-time interventions to avoid invasive and expensive treatments.

Quit Genius is a digital solution for treating substance use disorders, the release says. As part of Alight’s Partner Network, Quit Genius’ tobacco cessation program provides a digital program to help members access evidenced-based care, including engaging mobile content, a dedicated care team, personalized tracking tools and nicotine replacement therapy.

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