Important conversations around cybersecurity are becoming more prevalent in the modern age. New technologies have brought a new era of unprecedented productivity, cost savings, data security, and workflow efficiency. However, it is these very benefits that blind CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and business managers alike from stark reality – new technologies have ushered in an exponential rise in cybersecurity incidents.
With governments and industries clamping down harder on data security, business leaders are taking proactive steps to mitigate the potential risks and fortify their defensive cybersecurity posture. Covered in this article are five key steps to achieving a blissful cybersecurity nirvana.
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Gap Assessment
Unfortunately, despite the major breakthroughs in today’s business technology, somewhere within every IT ecosystem lies a vulnerability waiting to be exploited. Detecting these security gaps is a matter of urgency; a matter that goes far deeper than scratching surface defenses.
CIOs and CISOs have become accustomed to discovering the following challenges:
- Malware – Malicious software designed to harm your systems
- Phishing – Deceptive emails or messages to steal information
- DDoS attacks – Flooding servers to disrupt services
- Insider threats – Employees or uses intentionally causing harm
- Ransomware – Holding data hostage for monetary gain
Communication between departments is often another challenge plaguing intra-organizational IT delivery. With the rise of remote and hybrid work, real-time communication between remote users and on-site tech support could face additional challenges caused by differences in time zones.
Information overload, a situation where IT teams get bombarded with multiple (and seemingly urgent) support requests, could further prolong time to resolution. In the context of cybersecurity, these issues highlight a wide range of potential gaps that could deter the effective deployment of solutions across your network.
2. Embrace the CIA Triad for Cybersecurity (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability)
The development of secure applications, networks, and infrastructure hinges on the CIA triad. This unique model breaks down cybersecurity into three essential qualities.
Confidentiality is all about ensuring that vital data is only accessible to authorized personnel. Strict data access controls, biometrics, and password policies are common blockers of unauthorized access. It should be noted that despite these measures sensitive credentials could still remain vulnerable to intentional or unintentional employee activity. In these contexts, attackers may position themselves between the organization’s servers and employees and steal credentials through cleverly disguised man-in-the-middle and phishing attacks.
Data integrity brings focus to the quality of data from an accuracy, authenticity, and reliability angle. This means that the information shared within your organization and with the rest of the world can be relied upon. Data integrity is intimately tied to the reputational elements of an organization. Inaccurate and factually void data could lead to serious financial implications alongside reputational damage.
No matter how precious data is, it remains useless unless it is delivered to the right people at the right time. Take customer services, for example. Without real-time access to user data, customer service delivery could be met with significant challenges.
Combined, these qualities underscore the importance of incorporating cybersecurity companies in Boston that address all facets of data protection with security as a core element.
3. Conduct Regular Employee Training
Employees and people within your organization are considered the weakest link, given that a whopping 95% of all cybersecurity issues trace back to human error. In support of their data security obligations, CIOs train employees on various aspects of cybersecurity:
- Enhanced incident response – In the event of a cyber incident, trained employees are able to react pragmatically and act swiftly to contain the breach. Cyber incidents are marked by a short burst of chaotic activity, which can cause employees to make costly errors unless they’re trained to contain the situation.
- Promoting a security-conscious culture – Given the increasing propensity for attacks on businesses and the rapid evolution of hacker tactics, some employees remain oblivious to threats. Instilling a culture of cybersecurity awareness through regular training turns employees into a robust first line of defense. Empowered with proper training, they can accurately identify and report suspicious activity in a timely fashion.
- Meeting state-commissioned, federal, and industry compliance requirements – Governments and industry regulators are going hard on non-compliant organizations. The average cost of non-compliance with data protection laws could easily swell to over $14.82 million.
Training employees on their role in managing regulatory risk not only helps prevent unnecessary financial liability. It also helps alleviate consequent issues pertaining to loss of customer trust, revenue losses, lower productivity, and higher operational expenses.
4. Secure Vital Data at Rest or in Transit with Secure Encryption, Firewalls, and Antivirus Software
Moving data between a local storage device to a user or a cloud storage device and back is perpetually exposed to risk. Even at rest, sensitive data stored in a hard disk drive risks getting exposed when the security measures in place fail to address these risks.
Because information is most vulnerable when in motion, experts have devised several protocols to protect data in transit. Popular encryption standards such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) add multiple layers of security to data in transit. Encryption converts data into a secure format so that only authorized recipients with the matching decryption key can access it.
When your company collects and processes sensitive user information, additional measures including firewalls, strict access controls, and multi factor authentication can be leveraged to provide even greater protection. Firewalls act as permeable barriers between your internal network and external networks, filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent unauthorized or malicious access.
5. Brace for the Uncertain with Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning
Data backup and disaster recovery planning holds an integral position in your overall cybersecurity strategy for the sole reason that disaster strikes without warning. Without a response strategy, natural disaster and cyber incidents can wreak havoc on your institution’s infrastructure.
Not to mention, hackers can hold vital and sensitive business intelligence to ransom. Add to this the potential reputational damage, litigation, and the result could be catastrophic. In fact, it’s been established that businesses that survive an attack are likely to survive no longer than six months after the attack, thanks to the high cost of payments to affected parties, legal fines, and fees.
Regular data backup and disaster recovery help weather the storm, should disaster halt destroy copies of the data unwanted third-parties take control over your business data.
To enhance your organization’s cybersecurity posture even further, continuous improvement of existing security measures is imperative. Automated tools can help streamline the process, monitor, and apprehend subtle and major incidents developing in your system.
Conclusion
Building a solid cybersecurity foundation is paramount to protecting digital assets from imminent harm. If cybersecurity is not your stronghold or your team struggles to implement and manage your infrastructure securely, a managed IT provider may well be the solution that you need.
Welsh Consulting is a managed IT services provider helping small and mid-sized businesses seize every opportunity to make their infrastructure more secure. Whether it’s mapping out security solutions, installing updates, network performance optimization, we’ve got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I involve third-party vendors in our cybersecurity policy?
You can involve third-party vendors in your cybersecurity policy by establishing clear guidelines for data handling and protection. Vendor management is an essential part of outsourcing IT to third-party providers. Should they have lax cybersecurity protocols, they could become a liability for your organization’s data. Conduct a thorough vendor assessment before selecting your ideal IT services contractor.
What are the common misconceptions about cybersecurity software solutions?
Common misconceptions about cybersecurity software solutions include the misguided belief that providers are liable for their data security when using the platform. As such, business managers could end up neglecting regular updates and ongoing vulnerability assessments and face dire consequences further down the line. Understanding these myths is the first step to ensuring robust security.
How do I handle cybersecurity incidents involving employee negligence?
Cybersecurity incidents involving employees should be treated with meticulous attention to detail. Since you’re not aware of what’s been compromised due to their action or inability to act, conduct a swift (yet thorough) investigation. Any findings should be documented and an inventory of the affected systems should be taken for escalation. If negligence is found to be the culprit, disciplinary action can be pursued through human resources.
Can regular system updates affect our business operations negatively?
Regular system updates can sometimes disrupt business operations if managed poorly. Standard practice mandates that updates and system maintenance be scheduled during off-peak hours. Part of your organization’s ongoing data protection effort should include regular testing and monitoring to minimize the risks of unexpected system failure.
