What I’ve Been Seeing with Cyber Insurance & GRC
If you’ve gone through a cyber insurance renewal lately, you’ve probably noticed things have changed. It’s no longer just a quick form and a signature. Carriers are asking tougher questions, premiums are going up, and in some cases, companies are even getting denied coverage.
I’ve been helping a lot of clients navigate this shift, and one topic keeps coming up over and over again: GRC—Governance, Risk, and Compliance.
In my role at EMBER, I have the opportunity to work closely with organizations to build out GRC programs, that not only strengthens their security posture, but also helps them feel more confident going into those insurance conversations. I help teams figure out where they stand, align with the right cybersecurity frameworks, and organize the work in a way that makes sense for their size and industry.
GRC—In Real People Terms
Here’s how I usually break it down when I talk with clients:
- Governance is how you set the ground rules—your policies, who’s responsible for what, and how decisions get made.
- Risk is about identifying what could go wrong, and how bad it might be if it does.
- Compliance is making sure you’re meeting the right legal, regulatory, or industry standards.
When you put all of that together, it forms your security story—and that’s exactly what insurers want to hear when they send over those questionnaires or schedule interviews.
It’s Not Just a Checkbox
My goal here isn’t to build a binder full of policies that nobody looks at. The real value of a GRC program is that it provides a safety net. If something does happen and you need to file a claim, you’ve already laid the groundwork that shows you were taking security seriously.
Even better? A lot of the work that I do that goes into building a solid GRC foundation—like training your team, documenting systems, and planning for incidents—actually helps lower the risk of a breach in the first place.
Why It Matters Right Now
Insurers are paying closer attention than ever. They’re no longer satisfied with “yes” or “no” answers—they want to see proof. That means clear processes, written policies, risk assessments, and a basic understanding of what framework your business is aligning to.
It doesn’t have to be perfect or overly complex. But it does need to be intentional. A little structure goes a long way in building trust—with your insurer and within your own team.
A Question I Often Ask
“What cybersecurity framework are you currently aligned to?”
If you have a clear answer, that’s fantastic and it’s a solid foundation. If not, you’re definitely not alone. It might be time to take a closer look at what you’re doing and why. And if you’re unsure where to start, that’s completely normal.
I have these conversations regularly, and I’m always happy to help you make sense of it all. Letet’s figure out what works best for your team.
