18 Apr Cyber Security Strategy
Key elements to include in your company’s cyber security strategy.
A cyber security strategy should cover all aspects of an organisation from people, to processes, its data and technology. Cybercrime is on the increase and it is the aim of all organisations, irrespective of the size or sector, to always aim to prevent and mitigate cyber attacks.
Organisations need to integrate cyber security within their corporate culture.
From Small businesses to global conglomerates, the first step to creating a successful cyber security strategy is to identify risks and then define all processes and actions. The structure of a well designed security strategy would be organised by area, namely: Application security, Information security, Disaster recovery planning, Network security, End-user security and
Operational security.
Organisations need to embed cyber security within their workplace culture. All staff should be cyber aware. It is not (just) a top management item – it needs to be communicated and cascaded through all levels of the company.
Commonly included areas of a strategy include:
- Management of user access rights
- Securing the technical environment
- Securing (and ensuring they are compliant!) operations
- Proactive threat management
- Lined of Communication for/with all executives and key stakeholders
- Responsibility matrix
Supporting the overarching cyber security strategy a number of policies should guide the different actors within the company. Standard operating procedures usually cover day-to-day cyber security tasks such as:
- Testing the infrastructure
- Regularly updating antivirus software
- Reset / Change of strong passwords
- Securing one’s browser
- Blocking access to certain websites / apps / file types
- Changing all default settings of peripherals such as routers
- Frequently taking backups of critical data
- Guarding against phishing attacks
- Using encrypted VPN services
Organisations need to define security priorities. An assessment of security risks and compliance standards needs to be completed and subsequently goals and priorities set. Actions to block and defend against hacks and breaches need to be precisely defined (and communicated organisation-wide). Security is a business issue that affects everyone top down. It should never be siloed within the ICT team. Investment in training and technologies should be a fixed feature in the annual operations’ budget.
Communication with key stakeholders
Communication is not only an internal aspect related to employees and their interaction with the company’s data and infrastructure. Other stakeholders need to be part of the equation. Suppliers, technology partners, customers and outsourcing firms are a handful of other stakeholders that need to be taken into consideration when drafting and implementing a cyber security strategy.
Proactive threat management is the way forward!
The vast majority of organisations act after they have been breached. No business is invincible against cyber-attacks – Cyber attacks will only get more sophisticated in the years ahead as technology scales up and advances. It is an evolving area, thus your threat detection and response needs to be updated on a regular basis. It takes time, experience and expert security skills to ensure your company stays one step ahead of black hat hackers.
Take preventive measures, embrace best cyber security practices backed by cyber-strong infrastructure. A Strategy should not simply be the placement of a Policy on the company’s intranet. Penetration tests of your websites, web applications, Android and/or iOS apps, APIs, network and other physical or digital assets need to be carried out on a regular basis and the entire workforce should be trained to eliminate (as much as possible!) human error.
To learn how Cybergate can help you be proact -ive against cyber threats , contact us today.
