How to Meet Cybersecurity Insurance Requirements

As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, qualifying for cybersecurity insurance has become more demanding. Insurers now require companies to implement stringent security measures to reduce the likelihood of breaches and ensure they’re adequately protected. However, deciphering these requirements can be challenging, especially if you’re unsure where to begin.

A smart first step is to seek an unbiased third-party cybersecurity assessment. This type of evaluation offers an expert overview of your current defenses, helping you pinpoint areas that need strengthening and ensuring you’re on track to meet insurer expectations.

1. Why is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Required for Cybersecurity Insurance?

As cyber threats evolve, passwords alone are no longer enough. Insurers now mandate Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a key requirement to protect sensitive systems. This extra layer of security helps verify user identities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Implementing MFA across all critical systems—especially for privileged accounts—is crucial for meeting insurance requirements and strengthening your overall security.

2. What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Why Do Insurance Companies Require It?

Cybersecurity insurers expect organizations to have advanced defenses in place, especially at the endpoint level. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne monitor devices in real-time, detecting and responding to potential threats before they cause damage. EDR is now a common insurance requirement because it minimizes the chances of a successful cyberattack, particularly in remote or distributed work environments.

3. How Often Do You Need Security Assessments and Penetration Testing?

To qualify for insurance, companies must conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing. These proactive measures identify vulnerabilities in your systems before cybercriminals can exploit them. Many insurers require assessments at least annually, with more frequent tests recommended for high-risk industries. By maintaining an up-to-date vulnerability management strategy, you’ll not only comply with insurance requirements but also fortify your defenses.

4. Why Cybersecurity Insurance Requires Employee Training Programs

Employee cybersecurity training is another non-negotiable requirement for insurers. Human error, such as falling for phishing scams or weak password practices, is a major vulnerability in any organization. Insurance companies look for robust training programs that educate employees on recognizing threats like phishing and social engineering. By empowering your team with the knowledge to spot and avoid common cyber risks, you can significantly reduce your threat exposure and satisfy insurance mandates.

5. Do You Need a Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan for Cyber Insurance?

Data backups and disaster recovery plans are vital for organizations facing ransomware or other catastrophic events. Insurers require these solutions to ensure businesses can recover quickly from a data breach or ransomware attack, minimizing downtime and data loss. Providers like Rubrik offer cloud-based backup solutions that meet stringent insurance standards, giving organizations peace of mind knowing they’re prepared for worst-case scenarios.

6. What is a SIEM and Why is It Required

A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system helps organizations detect and respond to security incidents in real time. Insurers often require SIEM solutions like Wazuh, as they provide continuous monitoring and alert businesses to any suspicious activities within their networks. SIEM not only helps you meet insurance requirements but also strengthens your ability to respond quickly to emerging threats.

7. Firewalls Still Required

Firewalls remain a critical component of any organization’s cybersecurity infrastructure, and insurers continue to list them as a requirement. However, it’s no longer enough to have a basic firewall; insurers want to see advanced firewalls that protect both the perimeter and internal segments of your network. Ensuring your firewall is configured correctly and updated regularly can satisfy this core insurance requirement.

8. Why Identity and Access Management (IAM) is Important

Managing who can access your sensitive data is crucial for reducing insider threats. Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions like Okta help organizations control user access to critical systems and data, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach sensitive information. Insurers require strong IAM practices as part of their cybersecurity insurance qualifications to minimize unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

9. How Often Should You Patch Systems

Cyber insurers expect companies to stay vigilant about patching known vulnerabilities. Patch management involves regularly updating all systems, software, and applications to ensure they are protected from newly discovered threats. Failing to patch systems promptly can leave your organization exposed and may even void your cybersecurity insurance policy in the event of a breach.

10. What Should Be Included in a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan for Insurance?

An incident response plan is a requirement for nearly all cybersecurity insurance policies. This plan outlines how your organization will respond to and recover from a security breach. To meet insurance standards, your incident response plan must be detailed, regularly updated, and tested frequently. It should include steps for identifying, containing, and mitigating cyberattacks, as well as guidelines for notifying affected parties and reporting to relevant authorities.

11. Do Cyber Insurance Policies Require Data Encryption?

Yes, most cyber insurance policies now require encryption for sensitive data, both in transit and at rest. Encrypting data ensures that even if attackers gain access, they won’t be able to read or misuse the information. This essential layer of protection is a must for insurers, as it significantly reduces the impact of a data breach.

12. How to Manage Third-Party Risk for Cybersecurity Insurance Compliance

Your organization is only as secure as your weakest third-party vendor. Cyber insurance policies now require businesses to implement third-party risk management programs that assess and mitigate risks posed by vendors, partners, or service providers. This step ensures that external parties don’t introduce vulnerabilities into your network. Many insurers will demand proof that you have evaluated your third-party vendors’ security measures as part of their coverage requirements.

How to Ensure Your Business Meets Cybersecurity Insurance Requirements

Navigating the increasingly complex world of cybersecurity insurance can feel overwhelming, but by addressing these key requirements, your business can not only secure coverage but also significantly enhance its cybersecurity defenses.

If your organization is struggling to check all the boxes for insurance qualification, our cybersecurity experts are here to guide you through the process. From implementing MFA and EDR to developing incident response plans and training employees, we have the expertise to help you meet—and exceed—insurance requirements.

Ready to improve your security and qualify for cyber insurance? Book a quick call with us today to learn how we can help your organization achieve compliance and protect your business from cyber threats.

Triple Threat Assessment Case Study: Sherman County, Kansas

Defense-in-Depth Mindset Leads Sherman County to Threat Assessment

Sherman County, Kansas, faced a critical need to modernize and secure its IT infrastructure across multiple facilities, including the courthouse, sheriff’s office, health department, and 911 dispatch services. To tackle this, the county’s Director of IT, Eric Albright, led an initiative to implement a unified, defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy that would provide comprehensive protection for their network.

Eric had been keeping a close eye on the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines, particularly the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs), which emphasize the necessity of third-party evaluations to strengthen security posture. Despite having internal systems like IDS and IPS in place, Eric understood that even the most robust systems need external validation.

Eric’s Perspective

“One of my top concerns was that we didn’t have full visibility into our network traffic,” Eric explained. “Even though we had great systems in place, you just don’t know what you don’t know. Trinsio’s analysis gave us the information we needed to address gaps we didn’t even know we had.”

Eric sought out third-party assistance to help identify vulnerabilities that may have gone unnoticed and to ensure the county’s network was fully secure. His search led him to Trinsio, a trusted provider of no-cost threat assessments for local governments, healthcare institutions, and schools.

Enhancing Security with an External Perspective

Trinsio’s approach appealed to Eric because it didn’t require access to sensitive internal data or administrative privileges. Following a brief consultation, Eric provided Trinsio’s team with non-sensitive public firewall log files. From there, the cybersecurity team at Trinsio conducted a deep analysis of incoming AND outgoing traffic using more than 50 cyber intelligence feeds from around the globe.

The results were staggering: millions of traffic requests from known malicious IP addresses had bypassed Sherman County’s next-generation firewalls. Despite the county’s adherence to industry best practices, these threats continued to evade detection.

The Solution

Trinsio recommended cost-effective solutions that integrated seamlessly with Sherman County’s existing infrastructure, allowing Eric to deploy additional layers of security without disrupting day-to-day operations or requiring new hardware. These new measures enabled the county to block malicious traffic before it reached the firewall and prevent harmful outgoing traffic.

“It’s really comforting to have things in place now that block malicious traffic before it even reaches our firewalls,” said Eric. “We’ve enhanced our security with simple, budget-friendly measures that offer an additional layer of protection.”

Results

  • Millions of malicious traffic requests identified and blocked
  • Enhanced visibility into network traffic
  • Seamless integration with existing systems without additional hardware
  • Implementation of advanced cybersecurity measures beyond the firewall
  • Cost-effective solutions tailored to the county’s budget

Challenges

  • Legacy hardware and disparate systems across county facilities
  • Lack of visibility into network traffic
  • Ensuring compliance with CISA’s Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs)

A Proactive Cyber Security Strategy For HIPAA Security Rule Administrative Safeguards

Is Your Organization Protected from the Next Large-Scale Coordinated Cyberattack?

Beginning in 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported a dramatic and sustained increase in the number of complaints to its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) indicating cybersecurity attacks almost doubled between 2019 and 2020 with a total increase of 300% spanning the previous decade.

During that same time of alarming growth in cybersecurity attacks, in 2020 alone more than $4.2 billion was reported to the FBI in total lost revenue resulting from cybersecurity attacks inside the United States of America. The latest data from 2022 now reports $10.3 billion lost.

Beginning in June of 2023, the number of ransomware attacks more than doubled compared to June of 2022.

This spike in cybersecurity breaches was attributed to one of the largest coordinated cyberattacks in recent history. Russia-linked ransomware syndicate, CLOP, exploited a vulnerability in MOVEit, a widely used file transfer software, to distribute ransomware leading to widespread system disruptions and data loss spanning hundreds of organizations.

As of August 2023, more than 500 organizations and 36 million individuals have been impacted including healthcare facilities, Federal Government agencies, state and local governments, small and large businesses, and school districts of all sizes.

Health IT Security recently reported that MOVEit-related breaches compromised the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of millions of Americans.

To help combat the recent explosion in cybersecurity attacks, in July of 2022 the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a Special Publication (NIST SP 800-66r2 ipd) titled, “Implementing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule: A Cybersecurity Resource Guide.”

The publication serves as the latest set of guidelines to aid organizations in complying with the HIPAA Security Rule (a published set of requirements and standards for protecting ePHI from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to maintain reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for protecting ePHI. Specifically, covered entities must:

  1. Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all ePHI they create, receive, maintain or transmit
  2. Identify and protect against reasonably anticipated threats to the security or integrity of the information
  3. Protect against reasonably anticipated, impermissible uses or disclosures
  4. Ensure compliance by their workforce

This cybersecurity report from Trinsio documents an emerging trend in cyberattack prevention that combines new proactive technologies to complement your existing reactive measures offered by next-generation firewall vendors.

A Proactive-Plus-Reactive Strategy Supports HIPAA Security Rule Compliance Within NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework

Let’s examine popular solutions that combine both reactive and proactive strategies leading to better overall network cybersecurity protection.

 

Reactive Solutions Inside Your Network

 

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

EDR involves an endpoint security solution that continuously monitors your end-user devices. EDR can detect and often respond to threats including ransomware and malware. Analyst firm, Gartner, defines EDR as a solution that, “records and stores endpoint-system-level behaviors, uses various data analytics techniques to detect suspicious system behavior, provides contextual information, blocks malicious activity, and provides remediation suggestions to restore affected systems.”

 

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

XDR is an evolution of EDR. XDR extends beyond endpoint detection offering advanced detection, analytics, and responses across your endpoints, networks, servers, cloud workloads, and other systems. XDR provides a more unified view that includes threat detection, alerts, detailed analysis, and quickly deployed responses to threats.

 

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

SIEM is an approach to security management combining security information management (SIM) and security event management (SEM) functions into one security management system. SIEM systems are designed to collect data from multiple sources, identify abnormalities, then take appropriate action. When an alert is triggered, the SIEM system typically logs information on the alert and instructs other security controls to stop the triggered activity’s progress.

 

Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

MDR services combine technology and human expertise to perform threat detection, monitoring, and response. A benefit of MDR is it helps quickly identify a threat then reduce the impact of that threat using less human interaction and therefore has a greater impact within organizations with smaller IT departments.

 

Proactive Solutions Outside Your Network

Proactive solutions sit in front of your firewall to provide an additional layer of security on top of existing firewalls, MDR, EDR, XDR, and SIEM solutions. Proactive solutions are becoming popular because they add a significant amount of additional security without requiring you to modify or rip-and-replace anything you already have purchased and deployed to protect your network.

 

Threat-Blocking-as-a-Service (TBaaS)

Most proactive solutions are Active Defense with real-time Threat Intelligence platforms that fall into the Threat-Blocking-as-a-Service category. A TBaaS deployment is quick and painless as you simply place a small preconfigured appliance in front of your firewall then subscribe to the TBaaS service which automatically does the vast majority of the work for you (all within your predetermined budget and protection level).

A TBaaS solution is similar to a blacklisting solution. However, TBaaS services are typically managed by the vendor to automatically and continually update your solution with multiple source lists (up to 50) noting millions of malicious IP addresses curated by the broader cyberintelligence community.

The main advantage of a TBaaS solution is it will comprehensively block a much greater volume of threats from bad actors since it doesn’t rely on a single-sourced blacklist from a firewall vendor.

Your TBaaS deployment can be configured to block outbound traffic in addition to inbound traffic if desired giving you another line of defense if any malicious code manages to slip into your network. For example, if an already existing piece of malware attempts to pull its payload from an external server on the internet, that outgoing request can automatically be blocked by the TBaaS service. A

t Trinsio, we often find upwards of 80% of the total inbound traffic hitting an organization’s firewall is malicious in nature. A recent Trinsio network threat assessment for a rural county government exposed more than 10 million external and internal threats from 108 different countries around the planet – all during a 24-hour period. A TBaaS solution not only provides an additional layer of security, but also improves your firewall’s efficiency by dramatically reducing the amount of traffic your firewall needs to inspect.

Trinsio Analysis: The Cost of A Proactive-Plus-Reactive Strategy

Trinsio finds that adding a proactive TBaaS component to your existing reactive next-generation firewall hardware and software subscriptions on average increases your network security spend by approximately 20 percent.

A Comprehensive Guide to Network Threat Assessments

Safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring uninterrupted business operations have become paramount concerns for organizations across all industries. 

As cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication and frequency, the need for proactive security measures — in addition to existing reactive security measures already in place — has never been more critical. 

One such measure that has gained prominence in recent years is a network threat assessment (NTA). Let’s dive into the intricacies of NTAs, exploring their importance, the process involved, and the benefits they offer to organizations seeking to fortify their cyber defenses.

 

What is a Network Threat Assessment?

At its core, a network threat assessment is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s network infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities, assess potential risks, and recommend mitigation strategies. It involves a thorough examination of hardware, software, configurations, policies, and procedures to uncover weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.

NTAs are often conducted by experienced cybersecurity professionals or specialized firms with expertise in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. These experts employ a variety of tools and techniques to simulate real-world attack scenarios, probing the network for entry points and assessing its resilience against various threats.

 

Non-Invasive Approach: No Risk to Your Network

One of the key advantages of modern network threat assessments is their non-invasive nature. Unlike traditional penetration testing, which often involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities, modern NTAs prioritize the safety and integrity of the client’s network.

Through the use of sophisticated scanning tools and careful testing methodologies, cybersecurity professionals can thoroughly assess a network’s security posture without causing any disruption or risk to its operations. This approach allows organizations to gain valuable insights into their vulnerabilities without compromising the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of their data and systems.

Without requiring access to — or visibility into your network or assets — Trinsio’s complimentary network threat assessment will identify and classify potential threats empowering you to take action.

 

What Organizations Can Expect from a Network Threat Assessment

The benefits of conducting a network threat assessment extend beyond simply identifying vulnerabilities. Organizations can expect to gain a deeper understanding of their overall security posture, enabling them to make informed decisions about resource allocation and risk mitigation strategies.

Some of the key benefits include:

  • Enhanced Security: By identifying and addressing vulnerabilities, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of cyber attacks and data breaches.
  • Improved Compliance: NTAs help organizations meet regulatory requirements and industry standards, demonstrating a commitment to security best practices.
  • Prioritized Security Investments: By understanding the most critical risks, organizations can prioritize security investments, ensuring that resources are used most effectively.
  • Increased Confidence: A comprehensive NTA provides stakeholders with confidence in the organization’s security posture, reassuring customers, partners, and investors.

 

The Importance of Network Threat Assessments

Sadly, today no organization is immune to cyber threats. From small businesses, to local governments, to multinational corporations, every entity that relies on digital technology is a potential target. 

Network threat assessments play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.

By proactively identifying weaknesses in the network infrastructure, organizations can take steps to mitigate risks and prevent costly data breaches, service disruptions, and reputation damage. NTAs also enable organizations to prioritize security investments, focusing resources on areas that pose the greatest risk.

 

The Network Threat Assessment Process

While the specific steps involved in a network threat assessment may vary depending on the organization’s size, complexity, and industry, the general process typically follows a structured approach:

  1. Planning and Scoping: The first step involves defining the scope of the assessment, identifying critical assets, and establishing objectives. This helps ensure that the assessment is tailored to the organization’s specific needs and priorities.
  2. Information Gathering: This phase entails collecting relevant information about the organization’s network infrastructure, security policies, and firewall logs.
  3. Vulnerability Scanning: Automated tools are used to scan the network for known vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, and network devices. This step helps identify low-hanging fruit that could be easily exploited by attackers.
  4. Penetration Testing: Experienced testers attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to assess the effectiveness of existing security controls and determine the potential impact of a successful attack.
  5. Risk Assessment: The findings from vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are analyzed to assess the likelihood and potential impact of each identified risk. This step helps prioritize remediation efforts.
  6. Reporting and Recommendations: A detailed report is prepared, outlining the identified vulnerabilities, associated risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. The report may also include a prioritized action plan to address the most critical issues.

 

Get Your Free Trinsio Triple Threat Assessment Today

If your organization has not yet conducted a network threat assessment, it is time to consider taking this critical step towards a more secure future. 

With the guidance of Trinsio’s experienced cybersecurity professionals and the use of non-invasive methodologies, you can gain valuable insights into your network’s security posture without compromising its integrity.

Contact us to get started today.

Case Study: Jefferson County, Idaho

Third-Party Validation Threat Assessment Leads To Enhanced Cybersecurity Protections

Less than 100 miles west of Yellowstone National Park, Jefferson County, Idaho, offers scenic views and unparalleled wildlife sightseeing at either the Camas National Wildlife Refuge or Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area. The county seat, Rigby, is famous as the home of Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the first television system including both a TV receiver and camera. The region was originally founded in the mid 1800s by Pioneers trekking the Old West.

Jefferson County IT Director, Garn Herrick, had recently completed a new next-generation firewall deployment combined with additional security features from his firewall vendor. 

 However, Garn knew even the best-practices reactive measures on offer from next-generation firewalls  no longer can be assumed to be considered comprehensive protection due to the size and scope of today’s cybersecurity attacks and the fact that organizations like Jefferson County now endure almost half of all attacks – far more than any other private or public sector organization.  

 Garn was aware of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) published report for State and Local governments entitled “A Look at Local Government Cybersecurity in 2020”, that directed small governments to better protect sensitive personally identifiable information being stored on their networks. 

 He also knew about the alarming growth of cybersecurity attacks targeting small county and municipal government networks beginning in 2020 that drove the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to publish its Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) recommending a variety of third-party validations available to public and private sector organizations at no cost.

 The next task on Garn’s cybersecurity action plan was to align with recent guidance from CISA on third-party validations as a method of identifying any potential gaps in cybersecurity protections through penetration tests, risk assessments, and vulnerability scans.

Like many IT professionals, Garn understood that directives from both CISA and ICMA are critical to follow, but also that the size and budget constraints of organizations like Jefferson County greatly impact their ability to prevent attacks. 

As Garn began his search for third-party validations he encountered Trinsio, a technology solutions provider who offers low and no-cost options designed to empower IT departments with tools to protect their networks and data.

A threat assessment from Trinsio identified that a large percentage of the inbound and outbound traffic to and from Jefferson County’s firewall was actually malicious in nature. This data aligned with the majority of similar threat assessments performed by Trinsio for smaller county or municipal governments, further re-enforcing the threats reported on by CISA, ICMA, and other similar groups.  It was evident by this data that the consensus across the cybersecurity community is correct, that simply deploying a next-generation firewall is no longer enough protection. 

While still a critical part of network security, a firewall’s reactive approach to dealing with threats when paired with a proactive Active Defense with Real-time Threat Intelligence solution offers a new level of cybersecurity protection for any network.

“Even with the peace of mind that came from my next-gen firewall deployment, I knew that my county’s network may not be fully protected (especially from outbound traffic that typically isn’t dealt with at the firewall level). Trinsio’s free threat assessment really opened my eyes to the large number of both incoming and outgoing threats our network was getting exposed too. I told Trinsio about my budget limitations, but they were able to quickly design and deploy an affordable, proactive solution that sits in front of my firewall blocking millions of threats before they hit my network while also blocking potentially malicious outbound traffic at the same time.”

Garn Herrick 

IT Director – Jefferson County

Trinsio’s Solution

Trinsio’s threat-blocking technology, powered by Threater’s Active Defense with Real-time Threat Intelligence, proactively protects against threats from every path in your network.  Leveraging more than 50 world-class cyber intelligence feeds, Trinsio can inspect, block, and log every known threat trying to access your network. 

Since Threater sits in front of the firewall, Jefferson County did not need to rip-and-replace any existing network gear making the process quick, easy, and cost-effective. Millions of bad actors now are being actively blocked on a daily basis before traffic ever reaches Jefferson County’s firewall providing Garn and county officials with an enhanced level of confidence in their security stack.

Results

  •  Millions of  identified threats detected
  • Significant reduction in time spent monitoring network traffic
  • Implementation of blocklist containing millions of known bad actors
  • Cost-effective solution that fit the county’s budget
    constraints and needs
  • Active defense built on real-time threat intelligence

Challenges

  • Searching for guidance on  CISA-recommended third-party validation testing services
  • Recent deployment
    of  new next-gen firewall
  • Small, rural county with limited budget.
  • Ideal target for cyber-attackers