The Top 10 Controls That Lower Cyber Liability Exposure Fast

When it comes to managing cyber risk, time and budget are always limited. But not all security controls are created equal—some have an outsized impact on both your technical security and your legal and financial exposure.

If you're looking to quickly lower your cyber liability, these are the top 10 controls we recommend prioritizing. They’re effective, measurable, and often expected by insurers, regulators, and clients.

✅ 1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for All Remote and Admin Access

MFA is no longer optional—it’s a basic standard of care. Most breaches still start with compromised credentials. Enabling MFA for cloud services, VPNs, and admin accounts can instantly shut down easy access for attackers.

Why it matters:
Courts and insurance carriers now often consider the absence of MFA a sign of negligence.

✅ 2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Antivirus isn’t enough. EDR solutions can detect and respond to suspicious behavior in real time, preventing ransomware and lateral movement.

Why it matters:
Insurance underwriters are starting to require EDR for coverage eligibility.

✅ 3. Regular and Tested Backups (Offline or Immutable)

A backup only helps if it still works—and if attackers can’t encrypt or delete it. Store backups offline or make them immutable, and test recovery regularly.

Why it matters:
Backups reduce the impact of ransomware, and well-documented backup practices reduce damages in court and negotiations.

✅ 4. Patch Management Program

Unpatched systems are a favorite entry point for attackers. A documented and automated patching process for operating systems and critical applications is essential.

Why it matters:
Failing to patch known vulnerabilities is one of the easiest ways to be found negligent after a breach.

✅ 5. User Access Reviews and Least Privilege

Limit what users can access—and regularly review it. Admin privileges should be rare and well controlled.

Why it matters:
Over-permissioned users increase breach scope. Limiting access narrows liability and makes regulatory compliance easier.

✅ 6. Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulation

Human error is the #1 breach vector. Training employees to recognize phishing and suspicious activity is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make.

Why it matters:
It helps satisfy regulatory requirements, and it demonstrates proactive governance in breach investigations.

✅ 7. Incident Response Plan (IRP)

You don’t want to improvise during a cyber crisis. A written IRP helps your team respond faster and reduces chaos, losses, and legal exposure.

Why it matters:
Carriers often ask for this during underwriting, and regulators may penalize you if you lack a response plan.

✅ 8. Vendor Risk Management

Your cyber liability doesn’t stop at your firewall. If a vendor handles your data or connects to your systems, you need to assess and document their controls.

Why it matters:
Third-party risk is a growing focus of lawsuits and compliance mandates (like SEC, HIPAA, GLBA, etc.).

✅ 9. Network Segmentation

Flat networks are a gift to attackers. Segmentation (e.g., separating workstations from servers) limits lateral movement and damage.

Why it matters:
It shows proactive containment strategies—critical for reducing breach scope and liability.

✅ 10. Cybersecurity Documentation

Policies, procedures, access logs, response records—all of these form your evidence trail after an incident. Documentation turns best practices into defensible actions.

Why it matters:
In court or with insurers, “If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.” Lack of documentation can nullify coverage or increase liability.

⚡ Bonus: Cyber Liability Insurance Assessment

It’s not just what coverage you buy—it’s whether your controls match what your policy expects. A gap between your security and your coverage terms could mean denied claims.

Bottom Line

You don’t need a seven-figure security budget to reduce your cyber liability. By focusing on these 10 high-impact controls, you demonstrate a commitment to risk management, strengthen your insurability, and position your company to recover faster and more defensibly when (not if) an incident occurs.

Need help prioritizing or implementing these controls?
At Bawn, we help organizations build security strategies that hold up to scrutiny—by attackers, auditors, and attorneys.

→ Get a tailored risk exposure review from Bawn in under 30 minutes. Schedule a complimentary assessment today.