Cyber Security Controls
Practical controls that reduce cyber risk and help you qualify for better cyber insurance terms.
Cyber insurance is getting stricter for a reason. Most real-world incidents come back to a handful of preventable gaps: weak logins, missing updates, bad backups, and lack of visibility when something goes wrong.
This page breaks down the core cyber security controls in plain English — what they do, and why they matter.
What are "security controls"?
Security controls are the safeguards you put in place to prevent attacks, detect suspicious activity, and recover quickly if something happens. Most controls fall into three categories:
Preventive controls
Stop attacks before they succeed.
Examples: MFA, patching, least privilege, secure configurations.
Detective controls
Help you spot an attack quickly.
Examples: endpoint monitoring, logging, alerts.
Corrective controls
Help you recover and reduce damage.
Examples: backups, incident response plan, disaster recovery testing.
The core controls Orvia recommends
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
What it is
A second verification step for logins, beyond a password.
Why it matters
Stolen passwords are one of the most common ways attackers get in. MFA blocks many account takeovers.
Best practice checklist
- Enable MFA on email, Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, VPN, admin accounts, and payroll
- Require MFA for remote access and privileged users first
- Use authenticator apps or hardware keys when possible
Strong password policy and password manager
What it is
Unique passwords for every system, stored in a password manager.
Why it matters
Password reuse turns one leak into many breaches.
Best practice checklist
- Require unique passwords for all business accounts
- Ban shared logins for critical tools
- Use a company-approved password manager
Email security controls
What it is
Protections that reduce phishing and spoofing risk.
Why it matters
Email is still the front door for most incidents, including ransomware and wire fraud.
Best practice checklist
- Turn on advanced phishing protection if available
- Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to reduce spoofing
- Use warning banners for external emails
- Block automatic forwarding rules to external addresses
Endpoint protection and EDR
What it is
Security tools on laptops and desktops that detect and respond to suspicious behavior.
Why it matters
If malware runs on one machine, EDR helps contain it before it spreads.
Best practice checklist
- Use modern endpoint security on all devices
- Ensure it covers behavior-based detection, not just signature scanning
- Centralize alerts so someone is accountable for reviewing them
Patch management and update discipline
What it is
Keeping operating systems, browsers, firewalls, and apps updated.
Why it matters
Attackers often exploit known vulnerabilities that already have fixes.
Best practice checklist
- Patch critical systems quickly, especially internet-facing services
- Remove or replace unsupported software
- Track updates for key vendors and tools
Backups that actually work
What it is
Backups that are frequent, protected, and tested.
Why it matters
If ransomware hits and your backups are deleted or corrupted, recovery becomes far more expensive and slower.
Best practice checklist
- Follow a 3-2-1 approach (multiple copies, multiple locations, one offline or immutable)
- Test restores on a schedule
- Separate backup credentials from daily user accounts
Least privilege and access controls
What it is
Users only get the access they need. Admin access is limited.
Why it matters
The less access an attacker gets from one compromised account, the smaller the blast radius.
Best practice checklist
- Remove local admin rights from everyday users
- Separate admin accounts from standard accounts
- Review access quarterly and offboard immediately when someone leaves
Network segmentation and secure remote access
What it is
Separating critical systems so one compromised device does not expose everything.
Why it matters
Segmentation slows down lateral movement and limits damage.
Best practice checklist
- Segment servers and sensitive systems from general user networks
- Require MFA for remote access
- Avoid exposing remote desktop directly to the internet
Logging, monitoring, and alerting
What it is
Visibility into what is happening across systems.
Why it matters
Faster detection usually means lower cost, less downtime, and fewer records exposed.
Best practice checklist
- Centralize logs for email, endpoints, identity, and key servers
- Set alerts for suspicious logins, new admin accounts, and mass file changes
- Assign ownership for monitoring and escalation
Employee security awareness training
What it is
Teaching your team what to watch for and how to report issues fast.
Why it matters
People are targeted daily. Training reduces clicks and speeds up reporting.
Best practice checklist
- Short monthly refreshers beat one annual training
- Include real examples: invoice fraud, fake login pages, urgent payment requests
- Make reporting easy and encouraged
Incident response plan
What it is
A simple playbook for what to do in the first hour of an incident.
Why it matters
During an attack, confusion costs time and money. A plan prevents delays.
Best practice checklist
- Define who decides, who contacts vendors, who communicates internally
- Keep offline copies of key contacts and procedures
- Run a tabletop exercise at least annually
Vendor and third-party risk basics
What it is
Knowing which vendors touch your data and what happens if they are breached.
Why it matters
Many incidents spread through shared tools, MSPs, and cloud services.
Best practice checklist
- Maintain a list of critical vendors and what data they handle
- Require security requirements for high-risk vendors
- Confirm contract language around breach notification timelines
Controls that insurers commonly ask about
If you are applying for or renewing a cyber insurance policy, these are the controls underwriters ask about most often.
| Control | How Often It Appears |
|---|---|
| Multi-factor authentication (MFA) | Nearly every application |
| Endpoint detection and response (EDR) | Very common |
| Email filtering and phishing protection | Very common |
| Patch management process | Common |
| Offline or immutable backups | Common |
| Privileged access management | Common |
| Security awareness training | Common |
| Incident response plan | Increasingly common |
| Network segmentation | Increasingly common |
| Logging and monitoring | Increasingly common |
Missing one or more of these can lead to higher premiums, coverage restrictions, or outright denial.
Not sure where you stand?
Orvia can help you assess your current controls, close the gaps that matter most, and get you into a stronger position before your next renewal.