Life Isn’t Graded on a Curve—Your Cybersecurity Score Shouldn’t Be Either

Microsoft's Secure Score is a valuable tool for assessing an organization's security posture. It offers a numerical representation of implemented security measures. While Microsoft doesn't explicitly define a specific percentage as "acceptable," many organizations interpret a score of around 65% as a baseline for adequate security. However, in the realm of cybersecurity, settling for mediocrity can be perilous.

But in cybersecurity, a "D" isn’t just inadequate—it should be a "D" for dangerous. Guardian Security Insights transforms this narrative by going beyond Secure Score’s limitations, empowering mortgage companies to achieve a level of cybersecurity excellence that genuinely protects their business, clients, and reputation.

Why a 'D' Is Dangerous: The Illusion of Security

Microsoft Secure Score is a solid foundation for evaluating your security posture, but it grades on a curve, often deeming a score of 65% as “passing.” The problem? Cybercriminals don’t grade on a curve. They exploit every vulnerability, whether it’s an unmanaged device, an unprotected account, or a stale security policy.

Here’s why relying on a "D" is risky:

• Grading on a Curve Doesn’t Reflect Real Threats: Attackers target weak links, regardless of whether your benchmark score meets Microsoft’s baseline.
• False Sense of Security: A passing score can create complacency, leaving critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.
• Lack of Industry Context: Mortgage companies face unique threats, from regulatory compliance to protecting sensitive customer data. Secure Score doesn’t account for these nuances.

Guardian Security Insights: A New Standard for Cybersecurity

Guardian Security Insights builds upon Microsoft Secure Score, turning it into a dynamic, actionable tool that drives real improvement. It sets a higher standard, aiming for a Secure Score of 90% or higher across all categories.

Here’s how Guardian Security Insights goes beyond:

• Actionable Recommendations: Guardian offers prioritized, tailored steps to address vulnerabilities, such as enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for at-risk users or deactivating stale accounts.
• Intuitive Visualization: Clear, visual metrics like Grade Emojis, Letter Grades, and simplified charts make it easy to understand security strengths and weaknesses.
• Accountability Tools: Transparent reporting fosters a culture of shared responsibility, ensuring all teams are aligned in improving the security posture.
• Secure Score Simulator: This feature allows organizations to test the impact of potential improvements before implementing them, enabling strategic resource allocation.

Mortgage Industry-Specific Solutions

The mortgage industry faces unique cybersecurity challenges, including strict compliance requirements and the need to protect sensitive financial data. Guardian Security Insights provides targeted features designed to address these needs:

• Compliance Monitoring: Automated tracking ensures adherence to regulations like the FTC Safeguards Rule.
• MFA Compliance Tracking: Highlights users who appear protected but haven’t completed MFA registration.
• Stale Account Management: Identifies and deactivates inactive accounts that could become entry points for attackers.
• Device Health Monitoring: Flags unmanaged or non-compliant devices, reducing network vulnerabilities.

Real-World Success Stories

• Transforming a Failing Grade: A mortgage company with a Secure Score of 58% relied solely on Microsoft’s benchmarks, leaving them vulnerable to phishing attacks. After implementing Guardian Security Insights, they identified and resolved key issues like incomplete MFA adoption and stale accounts. Within six months, their score rose to 92%, drastically reducing their exposure to cyber threats.
• Bridging the Executive-IT Gap: A company struggled to translate IT security metrics into actionable business insights. By using Guardian’s intuitive dashboards and reporting tools, they improved executive understanding of cybersecurity priorities, leading to better resource allocation and reduced risk.
• Fostering Accountability: Another firm fostered a culture of accountability by leveraging Guardian’s transparent reporting. Teams worked collaboratively to improve security metrics, achieving a Secure Score of 95% within a year.

Don’t Settle for a 'D'—Aim for Excellence

A passing grade isn’t enough in today’s threat landscape. Guardian Security Insights turns Microsoft Secure Score from a static number into a powerful roadmap for cybersecurity excellence. By prioritizing action, fostering accountability, and addressing mortgage industry-specific challenges, Guardian ensures your organization is always one step ahead.

Take Action Today

Ready to move beyond “good enough”? Protect your business, your customers, and your reputation with Guardian Security Insights. Schedule your demo today.