Cyber Liability Insurance
Did You Know?
Any reputable Cyber Liability Insurance provided will require you to meet certain cybersecurity requirements before they will even provide you a quote? It’s true!
Today, we’re going to go over some of those requirements. We can help you put those in place – a smart idea no matter what. Then we can get you connected to a great cyber liability insurance person to get that quote if you want, since we don’t sell insurance here.
As always, we are here to answer questions should you want to learn more.
Steps To Quality For Cyber Liability Insurance
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Don’t let the name intimidate you. In essence, MFA is like a double-check system to ensure that the person trying to access your company’s sensitive areas truly is who they claim to be. Think of it as having two locks on your door instead of just one – the one on the doorknob and the deadbolt. MFA should be applied on all of the cloud services you use – email, social media sites, banking, all of them that support MFA, and in 2023, they all should.
2. Behavioral Analysis and Machine Learning Endpoint Protection Software
Now that’s a mouthful, isn’t it? What it boils down to is a smart system that can detect and respond to malicious cyber attacks on your devices, like laptops and phones. This software learns the patterns and behaviors of potential threats and reacts accordingly to keep your business safe.
3. Server Segmentation and Air Gapping
These are fancy terms for keeping your company’s information in separate, unconnected sections. By doing so, you can prevent cybercriminals from easily moving around within your network and accessing critical data. Imagine it like a series of islands, each holding a portion of your information – a cybercriminal might land on one, but can’t easily hop to the next.
4. Server Backups to the Cloud and Offsite Locations
In the unfortunate event of severe data encryption or a data breach, having a backup of your information could be a lifesaver. Backups should be stored in the cloud and/or at offsite locations for optimal security. Think of it as your business’ insurance policy’s insurance policy.
5. Frequent Employee Training
One of the easiest ways for a cybercriminal to gain access to your network is through human error. Regular training sessions for employees, particularly focusing on data protection and cyber threat awareness, can significantly reduce this risk. It’s like a vaccine against the cyber “flu”.
6. Admin Rights Management
Not every employee needs the “keys to the castle”. Limiting admin privileges on company devices to only essential personnel can greatly reduce the potential for internal data breaches. In simple terms, it’s making sure only the people who really need access have it.
7. Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery Plan
Having a written, regularly tested plan in place for network outages and cyberattacks is vital. This is your roadmap to recovery in case of a cyber disaster, outlining protocol and resources to get your business back on its feet as quickly as possible.
8. Email Filtering Protocols / Software
Lastly, but equally important, is implementing robust email filtering. Utilizing protocols such as SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and/or anti-phishing software can greatly reduce the chance of harmful messages reaching your team’s inboxes.
Securing cyber liability insurance can seem daunting, but remember, this is about safeguarding the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Each of these steps represents an investment in the long-term health and safety of your enterprise. And don’t worry – you’re not in this alone. Murph Consulting is here to guide you every step of the way. That’s what it means to be the help desk with a heart!
This month, Murph Consulting turned 18. I cranked up Alice Cooper's "I'm 18" and Skid Row's "18 and Life" to get the vibes going. My company is now old enough to vote, get a tattoo, and get married, all without parental consent. Watch out, world!
In all seriousness, the passing of another year of entrepreneurship and running a successful business always feels like a good time to reflect. Since we started in 2007, we've assisted nearly 600 small businesses and residential clients. Businesses in every industry, ranging in size from the solopreneur to 100 employees. There’s no company we’ll say “you’re too small for us to help”, and that gives me great joy. Small businesses need tech and CyberSecurity support, and we’ve got their backs.
Speaking of, it's October again, and you all know what that means, right? The Mets have failed us, and the Islanders, Jets, and Rangers are about to. It's also Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Every small business should be implementing some basic security measures by now. It's easier and more affordable than you think it is, and definitely cheaper than dealing with the fallout of something drastically bad happening to your business.
How's your password game? Do you use strong passwords on all the sites you visit, or are they all slight modifications of one word, like your kids or pets' names or birth dates?
If it's the latter, let's chat. You should be using a password manager. They are easy to use, create complex passwords for you that you no longer need to remember, and keep them all safe for you. I can't remember the last time I had to click on the "forgot your password" link for any site, and I love that for me.
A password manager is just one of the seven software we feel EVERY small business should have in place to help keep them protected in 2025. We’ve packaged these up together neatly and made them affordable for the small businesses we will always support. If you’d like to learn more, please click the “Contact Murph” button below to send me an email.