Cybersecurity Partner for Insurance Brokers
Refer clients who are unsure how to answer the security questions on a cyber insurance application or renewal. We check each answer against real evidence before it reaches the underwriter.
Clients arrive at underwriting with evidence, not guesses
MFA, EDR, backups, patching and incident response, checked against current settings and records, with a plain-language plan to close the gaps.
We assess. We never sell the policy.
OC Security Audit does not sell insurance, interpret coverage or compete with you for the client.
Why insurance brokers need a cybersecurity partner before renewal
Cyber insurance applications and renewal questionnaires ask detailed security questions: MFA coverage, endpoint detection and response, backup isolation, patching, privileged access and incident response. Many small and mid-size businesses answer “yes” based on what they believe is in place, not on what they can prove.
That uncertainty slows placements, invites follow-up questions from underwriters and can create problems later if an answer turns out to be wrong. As a cybersecurity partner for insurance brokers, OC Security Audit gives your clients an independent, evidence-based view of their controls before the application is submitted, so you can move the conversation forward with confidence.
How insurers use the questionnaire · Controls insurers commonly expect
The application questions map to how breaches actually happen
Global average cost of a data breach, a record high.
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2026Average cost of a data breach in the United States.
Source: IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2026Of breaches now start with exploitation of a software vulnerability, the top entry point.
Source: Verizon DBIR 2026Of breaches involved a third party, such as a vendor or service provider.
Source: Verizon DBIR 2026Six readiness areas that drive underwriting questions
The same six areas covered by our cyber insurance readiness assessment, reviewed against the questions on your client’s actual application.
Identity and MFA
Email, VPN, remote access, administrator and high-risk cloud accounts, plus Conditional Access exceptions.
Read more →Endpoint and EDR
EDR or MDR coverage on every workstation and server, alert handling and unmanaged devices.
Read more →Backup and recovery
Offsite or immutable copies, separate backup credentials and documented restore tests.
Read more →Vulnerability management
Scanning, patch timelines, internet-facing services and unsupported systems.
Read more →Microsoft 365 security
Conditional Access, admin roles, mailbox protection, audit logging and email authentication.
Read more →Incident response
A written plan with roles, escalation, broker and carrier contacts, and a tabletop record.
Read more →Five steps from introduction to a stronger application
Introduce
Send us your client’s name and renewal or application date by email or phone, or have them book a call.
Scope
A short call with the client to review the questionnaire and their environment, followed by a written scope and quote.
Assess
We compare each security answer with current settings, reports and records from the client’s IT team or provider.
Report
The client receives prioritized findings, an evidence checklist and a roadmap their IT team can act on.
Summarize
With the client’s approval, you receive the readiness summary and any questions to clarify with the carrier.
What we do, and what we never do
What OC Security Audit does
- Reviews your client’s security controls against the application or renewal questions
- Separates answers that are supported by evidence from those that are not
- Ranks gaps by underwriting relevance, business risk and effort
- Gives the client an evidence checklist and a practical roadmap
- Lists questions the client may want to clarify with you or the carrier
What we never do
- Sell, quote or place insurance, or compete with you for the client
- Interpret policy wording, exclusions or coverage
- Promise approval, a premium change or a paid claim
- Fill in or submit the application for your client
- Share findings with anyone without the client’s approval
What your client receives, and how it helps you
| Deliverable | What it contains | How it helps the placement |
|---|---|---|
| Executive readiness summary | Overall readiness, top gaps and deadline-sensitive priorities in plain language | Gives you and the client a clear starting point |
| Application-answer review notes | Each security question, the planned answer and what the evidence shows | Fewer surprises and follow-up questions from underwriting |
| Remediation roadmap | MFA, EDR, backup, vulnerability, access and response items in priority order | Shows the carrier a credible plan for open items |
| Evidence checklist | Reports, policies, screenshots, tests and inventories to keep on file | Supports answers if questions come up later |
| Questions to clarify | Wording or scope questions for the broker, insurer or legal advisor | Brings ambiguities to you before submission |
| Optional follow-up check | A second look before submission or renewal once fixes are in place | Confirms progress close to the deadline |
Clients we commonly help prepare
Industry differences in underwriting questions are covered in our requirements by industry guide.
Healthcare and dental
Patient data, HIPAA and clinical systems make backups and MFA central.
Law firms
Client confidentiality, wire instructions and email fraud drive the questions.
CPA and tax firms
Tax data, client portals and the IRS WISP requirement.
Real estate
Transaction funds and email account takeover risk.
Guides you can send to your clients
Plain-language guides on our site that explain what insurers ask and why. Share them freely.
Guided by Ali Hassani, CISO
Every readiness review is led by Ali Hassani, a CISO with more than 25 years of IT and cybersecurity experience, and written so an owner, a broker and an IT team can all act on it.
- Certified CISO (C|CISO) and CISSP
- 25+ years in IT, networking and cybersecurity
- Microsoft and Cisco certifications, including CCNP, CCNA, MCSE, MCITP and MCSA Security
- Based in Irvine; on-site across Orange County, Los Angeles and Southern California; remote nationwide
Frequently asked questions
Does OC Security Audit sell insurance or compete with brokers?
No. We are an independent cybersecurity assessor. We do not sell, quote or place insurance, and we do not compete for the policy. The broker relationship stays with you.
Will the assessment guarantee coverage, a lower premium or a paid claim?
No. Underwriting, pricing and claim decisions belong to the insurer, and policy interpretation belongs to you and your client’s counsel. The assessment shows which application answers are supported by evidence today and what to fix before submission.
What does my client need to provide?
A copy of the application or renewal questionnaire, and access to the people and reports that show how their controls are set up: usually their internal IT team or IT provider. We confirm the exact list on the scoping call.
Will you share the findings with me?
Findings belong to your client. With their approval we can send you the readiness summary so you know which answers are supported and which items are still open.
Can you fix the gaps you find?
We stay independent and do not implement our own recommendations. Your client’s IT provider can work from the roadmap, or IT Perfection can implement the fixes if they want hands-on help.
Where do you work, and how is it priced?
We are based in Irvine and work on-site across Orange County, Los Angeles and Southern California, and remotely nationwide. Every engagement starts with a written scope and quote; typical ranges are on the pricing page.
Need the gaps fixed, not just found?
OC Security Audit stays independent and read-only. If you want hands-on administration, IT Perfection can implement the fixes and support ongoing operations. Your current IT provider can also work from the same roadmap.
Have a client with a renewal coming up?
Schedule a short call. We will explain how the readiness review works and how we keep you informed with your client's approval.
Independent assessment only. We do not sell insurance, interpret policy terms or guarantee coverage, premium or claim outcomes. Irvine, Orange County and Southern California on-site; remote nationwide.