Learn what outside-in scans reveal about your external security posture and how brokers use external attack surface data in cyber insurance submissions.
An outside-in scan (also called external attack surface management) automatically discovers internet-facing assets, cloud resources, and publicly exposed services to assess an organization's external security posture. The scan reveals exposed services like RDP endpoints, SSL certificate misconfigurations, open ports, DNS record issues, and email authentication gaps. Brokers use these results during underwriting to strengthen submissions and help clients understand their external vulnerabilities. Outside-in scans provide only a snapshot of one moment in time and cannot assess internal controls, MFA configuration, backup systems, incident response plan quality, or ongoing monitoring capabilities — brokers must combine scan results with traditional application data to complete the risk picture.
Brokers manually source external scan tools (Coalition Control, SecurityScorecard, BitSight, Qualys, or others), run scans, download reports, and incorporate findings into client conversations and underwriting submissions alongside traditional application questionnaires.
External scanning tools are separate from application management systems. Brokers must manually correlate scan results with application data. Single snapshot doesn't reflect ongoing security posture. Scan data may be outdated by underwriting time. Clients may dispute findings without understanding external attack surface concepts.
Scan results dashboard that translates technical findings into plain-language broker talking points. Clear guidance on which findings are critical vs. informational. Ability to attach scan reports to applications. Trend tracking over time.
BindLedger outside-in scan initiates from domain name. Returns findings organized by severity: critical (exposed RDP, open admin ports), high (expired SSL, email auth gaps), informational (discovered assets). Flags findings most likely to become carrier contingencies.
Run an outside-in scan
Run an outside-in scan →“External scan data alone is not enough, because it only provides a partial view of an organization's cybersecurity posture.”
“EASM platforms continually discover, validate, and scan new assets for existing and emerging vulnerabilities.”
“Many carriers now perform external attack surface scans before an applicant even applies.”
“External network vulnerability scans only produce a single snapshot in time of a company's network.”