IRDAI Information Security Audit
Cybersecurity audit for insurance companies aligned with IRDAI's Information and Cyber Security Guidelines.
IRDAI Information Security Audit
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) issued comprehensive Information and Cyber Security Guidelines in 2023, mandating robust cybersecurity governance across all insurance companies — life, general, health, and reinsurance. The guidelines require Board-level ownership of cybersecurity, data localisation of policyholder data, mandatory incident reporting to IRDAI within defined timelines, and regular information security audits conducted by CERT-In empanelled organisations.
Intelliroot delivers end-to-end IRDAI IS audits covering the full guidelines scope — from governance and data localisation to third-party vendor risk specific to insurance distribution channels (agents, brokers, TPAs, and web aggregators). Our reports are structured for Board presentation and IRDAI regulatory submission, reducing compliance overhead for your CISO and compliance team.
Why IRDAI IS Compliance Is Critical
Policyholder Data Protection
Insurance companies hold deeply sensitive personal, medical, and financial data of millions of policyholders. IRDAI guidelines mandate strict data localisation, access controls, and encryption for this data — non-compliance invites regulatory censure and reputational damage.
Distributed Distribution Risk
The insurance sector's unique reliance on agents, brokers, TPAs, and web aggregators creates a sprawling third-party ecosystem. IRDAI IS guidelines require explicit vendor risk management covering all entities that access policyholder data.
Board-Level Accountability
IRDAI places explicit accountability on the Board of Directors for information security governance. An IS audit provides the Board with the independent assurance required to discharge this obligation and satisfy IRDAI inspections.
Mandatory Incident Reporting
IRDAI requires insurance entities to report cybersecurity incidents to IRDAI within prescribed timelines. Our audit assesses your incident detection and reporting capability, ensuring you can meet these obligations without scrambling during a crisis.
What the IRDAI IS Audit Covers
Governance & Risk Framework
- IS governance structure and Board oversight review
- CISO role, mandate, and reporting line assessment
- Cyber risk management framework evaluation
- Security awareness programme for staff and agents
Data Localisation & Protection
- Policyholder data residency verification
- Data classification and handling controls
- Encryption at rest and in transit assessment
- Cross-border data transfer controls review
Third-Party & Vendor Risk
- Agent and broker data access controls
- TPA security assessment and contract review
- Web aggregator integration security review
- Outsourced IT service provider evaluation
Incident Response & BCP
- Incident classification and IRDAI reporting readiness
- Security operations and monitoring capability
- Business continuity plan assessment
- Disaster recovery testing and RTO/RPO verification
Our IRDAI Audit Approach
Regulatory Scoping
Confirm the applicable IRDAI guidelines version, define the audit boundary (corporate systems, agent portals, TPA interfaces), and collect the asset register, data flow diagrams, and existing security documentation.
Governance & Documentation Review
Review IS policies, Board IT committee minutes, CISO reports, vendor contracts, and BCP/DR documentation against IRDAI IS guideline requirements. Identify policy gaps and areas requiring Board-level remediation.
Technical Control Assessment
Conduct vulnerability assessment and configuration review of core insurance platforms (policy administration, claims systems, agent portals), network infrastructure, and endpoints. Verify data localisation implementation for policyholder data.
Third-Party Risk Evaluation
Assess the security posture of TPAs, brokers, and other third parties with access to policyholder data through questionnaire assessment, contract review, and spot-checks of data access controls.
Report Issuance & Board Presentation
Issue the IRDAI IS audit report signed by the CERT-In empanelled auditor, with findings mapped to specific guideline clauses. Deliver the Board presentation pack for the Board IT/Risk Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deliverables
IRDAI IS Audit Report
Comprehensive IS audit report signed by the CERT-In empanelled auditor, with findings mapped to IRDAI IS Guidelines 2023 clauses — suitable for IRDAI regulatory submission.
Control Gap Register
Detailed register of all control gaps mapped to specific IRDAI guideline requirements, with risk ratings, evidence, and remediation recommendations.
Third-Party Risk Assessment
Structured risk assessment of TPAs, brokers, and other third parties with access to policyholder data, including contractual gap analysis and recommended controls.
Board Presentation Pack
Executive IS audit summary for the Board IT/Risk Committee — covering risk posture, critical findings, and the remediation roadmap in the format expected by IRDAI inspections.
Remediation Roadmap
Prioritised remediation plan with effort estimates and ownership assignments, aligned to IRDAI annual compliance timelines.
Request a Security Assessment
Tell us about your environment and security objectives. We'll design a bespoke assessment and deliver a detailed proposal within 48 hours.