In an era where cyber threats loom large over businesses of all sizes, understanding and fortifying your cybersecurity posture is not just beneficial; it's essential. However, for many organizations without cyber-trained IT professionals, navigating cybersecurity can seem daunting. Here's a straightforward guide to help you collaborate with your IT team and take proactive steps towards securing your operations.
Essential Cyber Controls for Securing Cyber Insurance and Enhancing Security
Cyber insurance carriers prioritize certain cybersecurity controls when assessing coverage eligibility. Implementing these controls not only strengthens your defense against cyber threats but also positions your organization favorably for insurance applications. Below are the key controls and some actionable questions you can ask your IT staff to start a productive dialogue about your cybersecurity posture:
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA),
Actionable Question: "Have we implemented MFA for critical access points such as employee email and remote access?"
2. Offline/Offsite Backups
Actionable Question: "Do we have a reliable system for offline or offsite backups, and when was the last time we tested our ability to restore from them?"
3. Patching Cadence Plan
Actionable Question: "Is there a documented plan for patch management, and how promptly are we applying critical patches?"
4. Endpoint Detection and Response Solution (EDR)
Actionable Question: "Are we utilizing an EDR solution to monitor and respond to threats on our network endpoints?"
5. Security Operations Center (SOC)
Actionable Question: "Do we have a SOC setup, and how are potential security incidents monitored and managed?"
6. Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Actionable Question: "When was our last cybersecurity training session, and how frequently are these sessions held?"
7. Phishing Simulations
Actionable Question: "Are we conducting phishing simulations to assess and improve our employees' ability to identify malicious emails?"
8. Privileged Access Management (PAM) Tool
Actionable Question: "How are we managing and monitoring privileged access to our systems and data?"
9. Disaster Recovery and Incident Response Planning
Actionable Question: "Do we have a current and tested plan for disaster recovery and responding to cyber incidents?"
10. Full Disk Encryption for Portable Devices Actionable Question: "Is full disk encryption mandated and enforced on all portable devices within our organization?"
Taking Action
By asking these targeted questions, you can gain insights into the current state of your cybersecurity measures and identify areas that require attention or improvement. Remember, the goal is not to assess blame but to understand where your organization stands and what steps you can take to bolster your cybersecurity posture.
Cybersecurity is a collaborative effort. Engaging with your IT team using these questions can kickstart the conversation about cybersecurity practices, ultimately leading to a more secure environment for your business and a stronger position for securing cyber insurance coverage.