Not a day goes by without the subject of digital security being dealt with in some media. Nobody is safe from a cyber attack, not even companies. Cybercriminals, data leaks and threats such as malware have made companies live on constant alert. The good news is that there is still a long way to go. Alexander Guedez, CEO of Gb Advisors, invites companies to keep their systems armored with these 4 essential questions related to cybersecurity in organizations. Read on and find out more.
The New IT
Thanks primarily to the mobility of today’s technological devices, any individual can use his or her equipment to connect to the network, no matter when or where he or she is. Unfortunately for organizations, this implies an exponential increase in their attack vectors; as well as increasing the ease of connection also increase the ports of entry of threats. These ports are becoming more and more numerous through technologies such as IoT and trends such as BYOD which allow members of any organization to bring and use within the company, devices unknown and therefore not approved by the security teams of the same.
This is why, for Alexander Guedez, it is evident that we cannot talk about IT in the same way we used to talk about it years ago. The digital transformation has changed the rules of the game for companies when it comes to IT security. In fact, while security was once relegated to only a small group within the company, today awareness of the risks of cybercrime has become vital at all levels of an organization.
If you want to implement stronger measures to keep your systems protected, but still know where to start, we recommend you take a look at these 4 questions.
4 Essential Questions Related to Cybersecurity in Organizations
#1 How exposed are your systems?
The road to a well-protected digital environment begins with a question whose answer can be quite complex. Alexander Guedez describes it as “one of the questions, related to the cybersecurity of organizations; more difficult for CISOs to answer. Why difficult? Because to give you an answer, the security team, when evaluating the infrastructure of its organization, must have the ability to identify and measure well the entire technological landscape of it.
This is often a bit complex since it is not only a question of evaluating the IT ecosystem but also of determining the best use that can be given to the data that this evaluation produces.
It’s a critical question because the answer can give the organization the opportunity to know its pain points to determine if its pool of resources is sufficient to deal with a possible incident. It can also show security teams the extent of their attack surfaces so that they can protect the most vulnerable parts.
#2 What should you prioritize?
After you understand where you are, in terms of your security issues; you should also identify the parts of your IT landscape that need to be prioritized. It is unlikely that your security team will be able to attack and resolve every security incident it faces. That’s why to gain effectiveness and speed of response; they need to focus on the assets that because of their importance within the company, need more attention. The priority you assign to these assets will be determined by their level of vulnerability; as well as the type of data handled within it. Obviously, the systems that store the most sensitive data will have a greater relevance when it comes to establishing these priorities.
#3 How to reduce exposure over time?
The process of fully protecting the systems of a vulnerable organization must be progressive. This means that you must obviously seek to improve effectiveness as you move forward over time. In that case, it is important that the CISOs constantly ask themselves: How have the strategies we have implemented worked? How effective have we been over time? Where are we and how are we going to respond? By answering these questions, it is possible to create truly robust security plans that allow companies to anticipate risks and always keep up to date.
#4 How do we compare to our competitors?
Today, the issue of cybersecurity in organizations is not only important from an IT point of view; it has also become a determining factor in maintaining the level of competitiveness of companies. Thus, it is important that CISOs not only study the internal behavior of their systems; but also those security events that face their competitors.
Attacks involving data theft often create great dissatisfaction among an organization’s customers. By ensuring that your company complies with all regulations established for the protection of sensitive information, you can create a positive perception of your brand. That way, you will get the preference of users who are dissatisfied with the services of the rival. As a result, a win-win relationship is created between your company and the customer.
Some tips related to organizational cybersecurity
In conclusion, these are the most relevant questions that CISOs must ask when creating strategies focused on protecting corporate systems. If you want some advice related to the cybersecurity in organizations, here are some:
Do a deep analysis of your vulnerabilities: You should not only focus on what you understand is important but on absolutely everything. Including the elements that you consider small. Remember that cybercriminals work 24/7 to create new ways to penetrate systems and steal information. So it’s important that you don’t neglect or underestimate any detail or component of your networks.
Make use of intelligent security solutions: It is very difficult for your security teams to have an idea of the attack surface of your organization if they do not have the right tools. Try then to offer them the most advanced; those that integrate state-of-the-art technology adapted to the risks of the digital era.
Keep your security tools always up to date: Updates are essential because they allow your scanners and antivirus; be up to date with the latest threats launched to networks by cybercriminals. So always remember to keep your systems up to date with the latest updates.
As the last tip, we recommend you to use professional advice when choosing your tools and protecting your systems. At GB Advisors you have a team of experts ready to give you all the help you need when choosing your ITsec solution. Contact us now.
