7 Essential Cyber Insurance Requirements You Can’t Ignore

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Cyber insurance is changing fast, and carriers now expect real, working security controls, not just promises on a form. Miss a baseline like MFA or patching, and a single breach can turn into a denied claim plus weeks of downtime. This guide breaks down the seven requirements most insurers look for and shows what happens when they’re skipped. Use it to check your gaps, protect your renewal, and reduce the impact if an attack hits.

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

Laptop login with lock, SMS code, and authenticator app showing MFA across systems—core control for cyber insurance.

Insurers demand it. Email. Accounting. Every account.

Why? Because stolen passwords are hacker gold. One leaked login could sink your whole system and your cyber insurance claim. Turn on MFA. Keep proof. No excuses.

2. Patch. Patch. And Patch.

Monitor update progress with gears and shield representing regular patching and vulnerability management in cyber insurance.

Outdated software is an open door. Hackers love it.

Insurers want receipts, proof you’re updating fast. Automatic updates. Patch logs. No lag. Miss one? Your cyber insurance coverage could vanish.

3. Go Beyond Antivirus with EDR

Antivirus alone is dead weight.

Computer and mobile shields with alert and magnifying glass illustrating endpoint detection and response for cyber insurance.

Cyber insurance providers want Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). Think of it as a 24/7 guard dog. It catches weird activity before it explodes.

4. Encrypted Backups or Bust

Firewalls won’t save you from one bad click.

Cloud padlock, monitor, and phone icons visualizing encrypted, offsite backups tested for recovery under cyber insurance.

That’s why insurers insist on encrypted backups. Onsite. Cloud. Both. Tested. Verified. Lose your data without them? Don’t expect your cyber insurance to pay out.

5. Train Your People. Or Pay the Price.

Your team is either your shield or your weakest link.

Trainer and team with shield icon depicting ongoing employee security awareness training required in cyber insurance.

Insurers know most breaches start with a dumb click. They want documented cybersecurity training. Regular. Realistic. Phishing drills. Scam spotting. Smart employees = lower risk.

6. Incident Response Plan, In Writing

Chaos kills.

Clipboard checklist and warning sign showing a documented incident response plan with contact and containment steps in cyber insurance.

Cyber insurance providers want proof you’ve got an IR plan. Who to call. How to contain. How to recover. Test it before disaster hits. Show insurers you mean business.

7. No Zombie Operating Systems

Old software? Big no.

System status and calendar ‘Oct 14’ graphic stressing supported operating systems and updates to maintain cyber insurance coverage.

Consider this: in October, Microsoft drops security updates for legacy systems. Will running these systems be considered negligence by your insurer? All your systems should be getting security updates.

You can’t stop every threat, but you can control your readiness. Enforce MFA everywhere, patch on schedule, deploy EDR, encrypt and test offsite backups, train your people, practice your incident response, and retire unsupported systems. Document each control, keep proof, and review it with your broker and IT team before renewal. Do these seven things well and you’ll strengthen cybersecurity, speed recovery, and keep your cyber insurance working when you need it most.

Martin Hinton

Martin Hinton is the Executive Editor and Publisher of Cyber Insurance News and Information. With over three decades of journalism experience across six continents, his work encompasses investigative reporting, documentaries, and coverage of cultural, political, and business news. To learn more about his career, click on his name to visit his LinkedIn page.