Cyber and Data Security

Harbor’s Commitment to Cyber and Data Security

At Harbor Investment Advisory, safeguarding your financial well-being and protecting your personal and financial information is our utmost priority. We are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and data security. In today’s digital age, where information is a valuable asset, we understand the critical importance of keeping your sensitive data safe from unauthorized access or breaches. Our comprehensive data security measures, including robust encryption protocols and stringent access controls, are designed to ensure that your personal and financial information remains confidential and secure. Rest assured, your trust in us is not just an expectation, but a responsibility we take very seriously as we work tirelessly to protect your financial future and privacy.

We pride ourselves on the personal relationships we have with our clients, and work in partnership with Pershing LLC to protect our clients, their assets and information. Your personal financial advisor is the sole point of contact for your account activities and is the first line of defense. Once a request has been verified by your financial advisor and their team, the request is then executed through Pershing LLC.

Harbor offers custody and clearing services for our clients through Pershing LLC, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, the nation’s oldest continuously operating bank (founded 1784) and one of the world’s largest providers of securities services. Pershing is a leading global provider of financial business solutions serving many of the world’s most respected financial organizations providing premier aggregation, safekeeping, servicing, and reporting for client assets in their custody. Listed below are the ways in which Harbor protects you as well as additional resources to help you protect yourself in today’s marketplace.

How Harbor Protects You

• Secure Communications: Considering the data being transmitted digitally, which include personal or financial details, clients have the option to deliver and receive emails safeguarded by AppRiver, a leading provider of cybersecurity and productivity solutions. This protection involves encryption, shielding against malware and phishing threats. Contact us for more information on how to use AppRiver. Learn More
• Privacy Training: Our associates attend regular practice management meetings to ensure we are operating at the highest level of FINRA and SEC standards. In addition, we outline our extensive privacy and security procedures in our Privacy Policy and Code of Ethics which our employees have been trained extensively on and attest to annually.
• Verbal and Written Authorization: Harbor requires both written and verbal authorization from a client when executing account activity such as withdrawals and movement of assets. Additionally, Harbor requires a two-step form of authentication to positively confirm that your identification has been verified with your financial advisor.

1. 1. Caller Authentication: When a customer calls in for a financial transaction, we first verify personal information such as name, address, date of birth, and last 4 digits of the social security number.
   2. Account Verification: Harbor also confirms the specific account or accounts involved in the transaction and requests the account number, type, and other relevant details.

NETXInvestor Website/Mobile App Security: Online access to your assets is available through Pershing LLC’s NETXInvestor. Pershing LLC is dedicated to securing these interactions and has extensive security procedures in place. NETXInvestor. Learn More

How You Can Protect Yourself

• Set up text/email notifications of NETXInvestor account activity such as withdrawals and check requests. Learn More
• Set up identity verification on NETXInvestor Pershing Website: NETXInvestor uses a two-step verification method that includes a One Time Passcode option. Learn More
• Review your accounts frequently for unauthorized activity.
• Do not share personal information with outside sources.
• Be aware of phishing attempts.
• If you are sending a payment to a vendor, verify it is a trusted source.
• Review current standards on how you can protect yourself online. Learn More
• Review how you can protect your business. Learn More
• Be aware of threats and scams in the marketplace. Learn More

Contact Us

If you think you are the subject of fraud or would like to verify the validity of communications from Harbor Investment Advisory, please call your Harbor financial advisor at 410-659-8900.

Last Updated: December 2023