The Problem with Traditional VDI
Cyber insurance is no longer optional for many organizations. As attacks grow more sophisticated, insurers are raising the bar for what it takes to qualify for coverage. Before a provider will issue a policy, they expect to see evidence of a strong, security program.
One recognized framework is the Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls, a set of guidelines that organizations can use to benchmark and strengthen their security posture. Control 15 of the CIS framework is all about managing service providers and vendors—a critical area since third-party access remains one of the most common attack vectors.
Why This Matters for Cyber Insurance Applications
After establishing a security program, the next hurdle is the cyber insurance questionnaire. These assessments are designed to measure your organization’s maturity. If you lack robust processes (especially for managing vendor access) your application will likely be denied. The stricter the data sensitivity, the tougher the requirements.
A VPAM solution directly addresses the areas insurers care most about:
1. Managing Access to Sensitive Data
With VPAM, vendors only reach the systems they are approved to work on. Unlike VPNs, which expose the broader network, VPAM enforces least-privilege access by design.
2. Monitoring and Auditing Access
VPAM lets IT define when, how, and for how long vendors can connect. All sessions are recorded and auditable, providing insurers with proof that access is both controlled and monitored.
3. Securing Vendor Devices
When access is through VPAM, a vendor’s device never directly connects to your corporate network. Browser-based access blocks risky actions like USB device redirection and eliminates the need to install or manage software on third-party devices.
4. Simplifying Deprovisioning
Decommissioning a vendor becomes a straightforward process of disabling a single VPAM account. This clean offboarding reduces the chance of oversight and demonstrates to insurers that you have a reliable process for revoking access.
A CIS Control Example: 15.7
CIS Controls provide a framework many insurers recognize, and VPAM supports several of them. One clear example is CIS Control 15.7, which covers the decommissioning of vendors and service providers. Without the right tools, offboarding a vendor can be complicated and risky. You need to make sure accounts are disabled, privileged credentials are rotated, and no lingering access remains.
With VPAM, that process becomes much simpler:
- Vendors only access corporate systems through their VPAM account.
- To decommission a vendor, IT simply terminates that one account.
- Even if credential rotation is delayed, vendors never actually see or store privileged passwords.
For instance, a vendor may log in as root to maintain a server, but with VPAM they never know the root password. IT can still rotate privileged credentials on schedule, but offboarding is no longer a scramble to revoke access.
The Bottom Line
Cyber insurers are tightening requirements as attacks grow more sophisticated, and organizations need a clear, well-defined security strategy. Vendor access is one of the most scrutinized areas, since unmanaged accounts and shared credentials often become the weak point in otherwise strong security programs.
A Vendor Privileged Access Management solution provides a structured way to reduce those risks. By controlling access through a single account, enforcing zero trust principles, and recording every session, and simplifying vendor deprovisioning, VPAM helps IT teams simplify vendor management while aligning with the expectations of insurers.
The result is a stronger, more defensible security posture—one that not only protects your organization but also demonstrates to auditors and insurers that third-party access is being managed with care.