Case Study: Cyber Insurance Preparedness for a Small Business

Executive Summary

A client of SST faced a major challenge when its cyber insurance carrier implemented stricter renewal requirements. Premiums are increasing industry-wide, and insurers now request proof of stronger cybersecurity measures. The business had previously relied on internal staff for IT support and had not adopted several of the controls now necessary for policy renewal. The threat of losing affordable coverage motivated leadership to seek assistance. 

Customer Overview 

Customer Name: Confidential Manufacturing Firm
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: Midwest, USA
Size: 20 – 50 Employees 

Challenge 

Like many small to medium-sized businesses, the organization handled sensitive business records, payroll information, customer data, and other operational details. Any breach could lead to notification requirements and erode customer trust. The carrier’s new standards included multi-factor authentication, secure off-site backups, privileged access controls, an updated incident response plan, and proof that systems were regularly patched. The internal team lacked a clear plan for understanding these standards or demonstrating compliance to the insurer. 

• Limited internal expertise to assess and implement the necessary security controls. 

• Mission-critical legacy software that lacked modern protection. 

• Risk of premium hikes or reduced coverage from noncompliance. 

• Difficulty understanding insurance questionnaires written in technical language. 

Assessment 

Since the client recently joined SST as a managed service customer, SST was implementing the CIS framework as part of its standard service delivery. SST’s core offering aligns with CIS Implementation Group 1 safeguards, which represent the most critical foundational controls for small and mid-sized businesses. These safeguards also closely match the baseline expectations of most cyber insurance carriers. 

Because SST’s managed services are built around these safeguards, many of the insurer’s required controls were already in place. Multi-factor authentication, secure and immutable off-site backups, centralized logging, endpoint protection, and role-based access controls had been implemented through SST’s tools and procedures. 

SST focused on validating current controls, addressing minor gaps, and guiding the client through the documentation required by the insurance carrier. This process was smooth because the required protections were already included in SST’s standard service. SST also helped leadership complete the insurer’s questionnaire and mapped each CIS safeguard to the specific policy requirement it met. 

Key Controls Implemented 

• Multi-factor authentication 

• Immutable offsite backups 

• Centralized logging 

• Endpoint protection 

• Role-based access controls 

• Patch management 

• Documented incident response process 

Solution 

SST created a targeted remediation and compliance plan to meet the insurer’s revised requirements and enhance the client’s overall security posture. Since many core CIS safeguards had already been implemented through SST’s managed services, the remaining work focused on tightening controls, verifying evidence, and documenting processes to meet the carrier’s expectations. 

Control Gap Remediation 

SST upgraded legacy systems whenever possible, applied missing security patches, enabled required MFA configurations, and added safeguards to address risks identified by the insurer. This ensured all critical CIS IG1 controls were actively enforced across the environment. 

Backup and Recovery Enhancements 

The current backup platform was set up to include immutable off-site storage, retention policies, and recovery testing documentation to meet the carrier’s data protection and business continuity requirements. 

Privileged Access Hardening 

SST reviewed user roles, eliminated unnecessary admin privileges, and enforced role-based access controls. This minimized the attack surface and ensured that access rights adhered to least-privilege principles. 

Incident Response Plan Development 

SST collaborated with leadership to develop and document a practical incident response plan. This included transparent communication processes, defined roles, and guidance for detection, containment, and recovery. 

Compliance Documentation and Evidence Collection 

SST translated the insurer’s technical questionnaire into clear business terms and collected the necessary proof of compliance. System reports, MFA records, backup verification logs, and policy documentation were directly aligned with the carrier’s control requirements. 

Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting 

SST enabled continuous alerting, logging, and monitoring capabilities to ensure safeguards remained operational and could be documented at renewal or during future audits. 

This structured approach enabled the business to quickly meet the insurer’s updated standards without disrupting operations. Using SST’s CIS-aligned service framework, the client achieved compliance efficiently and made long-term improvements to its cybersecurity maturity. 

Results 

The business successfully renewed its cyber insurance policy without a deductible increase and with a smaller-than-expected premium adjustment. The insurer noted that multi-factor authentication, secure and immutable off-site backups, and a documented response plan significantly reduced the organization’s risk profile. 

Operational benefits extended beyond the insurance renewal. The business gained: 

• Improved visibility into system activity by continuous monitoring. 

• Enhanced security for essential business and customer information. 

• Increased confidence among leadership and staff about cyber readiness. 

• Lower risk of downtime due to security incidents. 

• Clear documentation that is reusable for future audits or insurer reviews. 

How SST Supports Similar Clients 

Small and mid-sized businesses across the Upper Midwest face similar insurance challenges. SST offers assessments, managed security services, and compliance support that help organizations meet carrier expectations and boost their overall security posture. With structured guidance and affordable services, SST enables businesses to focus on their customers while maintaining the security required in today’s environment.