12 Policies & Practices You May Need to Adopt to Be Eligible for Cyber Insurance

By Nathaniel C. Gravel, CISA, CISM, CRISC

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a significant business risk. With cyber threats growing more sophisticated, businesses are increasingly turning to cyber insurance as a way to mitigate the financial impacts of cyberattacks and data breaches. However, obtaining cyber insurance isn’t as simple as just paying a premium. Insurance companies often require businesses to demonstrate they’ve implemented certain cybersecurity policies and practices as a prerequisite to coverage. This article outlines 12 such policies and practices your business should consider in order to qualify for cyber insurance coverage.

1. Cybersecurity Policy: The cornerstone of any cybersecurity strategy is a comprehensive, company-wide cybersecurity policy. This policy should outline the security practices your business has implemented, including secure password management, regular software updates, and encryption of sensitive data. It should also clarify employees’ roles and responsibilities in maintaining cybersecurity and provide guidelines for handling and sharing sensitive information. The implementation and enforcement of a strong cybersecurity policy show insurers that your business takes cybersecurity seriously.
2. Security Audits: Regular security audits are crucial in identifying potential vulnerabilities in your cybersecurity defenses. These audits, which can be carried out by internal IT teams or third-party cybersecurity firms, should involve an in-depth examination of your systems and procedures. The audits should test both technical aspects like firewalls and encryption as well as human factors such as susceptibility to phishing attacks. Following the audit, any identified weaknesses should be promptly addressed to reduce your business’s exposure to cyber threats.
3. Incident Response Plan: An incident response plan (IRP) is a detailed guide that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a cyberattack or data breach. An effective IRP can limit damage, reduce recovery time and costs, and protect your company’s reputation in the face of a cyber incident. Your IRP should include details like how to detect and analyze the incident, steps to contain and eradicate the threat, and processes for post-incident recovery and reporting. Having a well-thought-out IRP shows insurers that your business is prepared for cyber threats.
4. Employee Training: Even the most sophisticated technical defenses can be undermined by human error. Regular cybersecurity training for employees can significantly reduce your business’s vulnerability to attacks such as phishing and social engineering. Training should cover secure browsing practices, the importance of regular password updates and changes, how to identify suspicious emails or links, and the process for reporting potential security threats. A well-trained workforce is a strong signal to insurers of your business’s commitment to cybersecurity.
5. Data Backups: A robust data backup strategy is critical for ensuring your business can recover quickly from ransomware attacks or other data loss incidents. Your business should regularly back up important data, both onsite and offsite, and perform periodic tests to ensure data can be successfully restored from these backups. Ensuring that you have effective backup procedures in place will not only minimize the impact of data loss but also demonstrate to insurers that you’ve taken steps to manage this risk.
6. Network Security: Implementing robust network security measures is vital for protecting your business’s data and systems. These measures can include firewalls to block unauthorized access, intrusion detection systems to identify potential threats, and the use of secure network protocols. You may also want to consider segmenting your network to limit an attacker’s ability to move across your systems if they do gain access. Strong network security shows insurers that you’re actively protecting your business from cyber threats.
7. Access Controls: Strict access controls ensure that only authorized personnel can access certain information or areas of your network. This can involve using user roles and permissions, enforcing the principle of least privilege (PoLP), and employing strong authentication methods. Regular reviews and updates of these controls can prevent unauthorized access, reducing the potential damage from both internal and external threats. Insurers often look favorably on businesses that have implemented stringent access controls.
8. Regular Patching: Regular patching and updating of software, including operating systems and applications, is one of the most effective ways to protect your business from cyber threats. Many cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities in software that have not been patched. Therefore, having a regular patch management process will reduce your vulnerability to these types of attacks and can reassure insurers that you’re taking proactive steps to manage your cybersecurity risk.
9. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your systems and applications. Even if an attacker obtains a user’s password, they still won’t be able to gain access without the second factor, which can be a physical token, a biometric factor, or a one-time code sent to a separate device. Implementing 2FA, especially for systems containing sensitive information, signals to insurers that you’re taking steps to secure your systems.
10. Endpoint Protection: With employees increasingly using a variety of devices to access your network, including personal devices in many cases, endpoint protection is more important than ever. This involves securing all devices that connect to your network, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, with measures like antivirus software and device encryption. It can also involve policies around what can be installed or downloaded on these devices. Strong endpoint protection is often a key consideration for insurers.
11. Regular Risk Assessments: Regular risk assessments can help you identify potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities and determine the potential impacts of these risks. These assessments can help you prioritize your cybersecurity initiatives and make informed decisions about where to invest your resources. Demonstrating that you regularly assess and manage your cybersecurity risks can make your business more attractive to insurers.
12. Vendor Management: If your business relies on third-party service providers, it’s important to ensure their cybersecurity practices meet your standards. This might involve including specific cybersecurity requirements in your contracts or conducting audits of your vendors’ security practices. A strong vendor management process can prevent your vendors’ weaknesses from becoming your vulnerabilities and reassure insurers that you’re managing this aspect of your cybersecurity risk.

While these are common practices, the specific requirements for cyber insurance can vary depending on the insurance provider and the nature of your business. Therefore, it’s important to work closely with your insurer to understand their requirements and ensure you have the necessary policies and practices in place. Cyber insurance should not replace a comprehensive cybersecurity program but should complement and reinforce your existing cybersecurity measures.