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Understanding The Cyber Score Card

Discover how the Cyber Score Card can be used to uncover key security gaps and help protect businesses

Michael Bakaic avatar
Written by Michael Bakaic
Updated over 4 months ago

What is a Cyber Score Card?

A Cyber Score Card is a snapshot of a business's cybersecurity health, similar to a credit score but tailored to digital security risks. It helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, understand their exposure, and take proactive steps to secure sensitive data.

Simple vs. Detailed Score Cards

  • Simple Score Card:

    • Focuses on key risks and high-level insights.

    • Ideal for initial discussions with clients.

    • Quick to digest, offering a score and a few actionable highlights.

  • Detailed Score Card:

    • Offers an in-depth analysis of security gaps.

    • Breaks down risks into categories (e.g., Dark Web breaches, email security).

    • Includes specific breached accounts, dates, and recommended actions.

The 6 Criteria Explained

  1. Dark Web Breaches (đŸ”„ most important for SMBs):

    • Identifies employee accounts leaked on the Dark Web

    • Why It Matters: Leaked credentials give attackers direct access to systems

  2. Email Impersonation Security:

    • Checks for DKIM, SPF, and DMARC protocols

    • Why It Matters: Prevents email spoofing attacks and identity fraud

  3. Secure Email Gateway:

    • Detects gateway protections for phishing prevention

    • Why It Matters: Blocks malicious emails before they reach inboxes

  4. Website HTTP Security Headers:

    • Ensures necessary security configurations for web traffic

    • Why It Matters: Protects visitors and reduces risk of data interception

  5. Website SSL Encryption:

    • Verifies the use of HTTPS encryption

    • Why It Matters: Ensures data integrity and protects user interactions

  6. Web Application Firewall (WAF):

    • Confirms the presence of a firewall

    • Why It Matters: Defends against malicious web traffic and attacks

Effective Sales Scripts for Each Criteria

When engaging prospects about their Cyber Score Card, keep conversations concise, relatable, and focused on uncovering their concerns. These scripts introduce the score card, highlight risks, and encourage follow-ups without overwhelming the prospect.

  1. Dark Web Breaches

    1. đŸ”„ Script 1: “Some of your team’s passwords are on the Dark Web, which hackers use to access systems. Would you like to know which accounts are exposed?”

    2. Script 2: “Dark Web breaches expose employee credentials for sale. If this happens, attackers have an open door. Want me to show you what’s at risk?”

  2. Email Impersonation Security

    1. đŸ”„ Script 1: “Hackers can send emails that look like they’re from you. Adding DMARC stops them. Let me explain how it works.”

    2. Script 2: “How confident are you that hackers aren’t impersonating your emails? Missing protections like DMARC make this easy. Want me to walk you through fixing it?”

  3. Secure Email Gateway

    1. Script 1: “Phishing emails often bypass inboxes without a secure gateway. It’s like a security guard for your email. Want me to explain how to set this up?”

    2. Script 2: “A missing email gateway leaves your team vulnerable to phishing attacks. Adding one is simple and effective—shall we look into it?”

  4. Website HTTP Security Headers

    1. Script 1: “Your website is missing critical security headers, which hackers use to intercept visitor data. Should we take a quick look and tighten those gaps?”

    2. Script 2: “Small security oversights leave websites open to attacks. I noticed yours is missing key protections—can I show you an easy fix?”

  5. Website SSL Encryption

    1. Script 1: “Without SSL encryption, your website isn’t secure, and customers may lose trust. Would you like help resolving this quickly?”

    2. Script 2: “Google flags sites without SSL, which can hurt both security and credibility. Let’s secure your site—interested?”

  6. Web Application Firewall (WAF)

    1. Script 1: “Without a firewall, your website is exposed to malicious traffic. Adding one can block intruders before they reach your site. Want me to show you how?”

    2. Script 2: “A firewall protects your website like a locked door protects your home. Let’s add that layer of security—does that sound good?”

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your tone conversational and focus on risks small businesses care about. Frame the score card as an opportunity to fix issues before they become costly problems.

Action Plan: Next Steps

  1. Use the Simple Cyber Score Card to initiate conversations.

  2. Transition to the Detailed Score Card for in-depth discussions and actionable solutions.

  3. Tailor your approach using the scripts above to address specific vulnerabilities.

Check out examples of our Simple and Detailed Cyber Score Cards!

Attachment icon
Simple Score Card - Top Notch IT.pdf
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Detailed Score Card - Top Notch IT.pdf
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