Your organization's cybersecurity is at risk. What can you do to protect it?

To improve your organization's cybersecurity, focus on key actions like assessing vulnerabilities, controlling access, updating software, training staff, using network security tools, backing up data, setting up incident response plans, monitoring threats, and seeking expert help. These might sound simple, but are the steps that help reduce risks and protect valuable data and assets in the long run.

Protecting your organization's cybersecurity requires a proactive approach that addresses both technical vulnerabilities and human factors. Start by implementing robust cybersecurity policies and procedures, including regular security training for employees to raise awareness about common threats like phishing and social engineering.

To protect the organization's cybersecurity, implement a multi-layered defense strategy. Conduct regular risk assessments, educate employees on security best practices, deploy robust access controls, monitor for suspicious activities, keep software updated, and establish incident response plans. Additionally, encrypt sensitive data, employ firewalls, and backup critical information regularly to mitigate the impact of potential breaches.

You cannot improve what you cannot see / do not know. So the first step is get visibility. Use a platform that can connect to your main mission-critical assets (code, CI/CD pipeline, infrastructure) and get some initial assessment. Get some penenetration test as a complement. Ideally, use some known security framework (i.e. OWASP ASVS, NIST, ...) as a basis to assess your posture and ensure your control coverage is sufficient.

Do you have 'no data on desktop/ laptop policy'? Even for the senior management? Are you sure they have not broken the law? Run this simple test - take their laptops away for minutes, hours and see their pain. Then make it little complex - announce that their laptops have been damaged. Then ask them how much data/ work do they believe was just on the laptop! Cyber security/ information security has been breached!

It should start where are you now and what you want to achieve. Stay informed through reputable cybersecurity news, reports, threat feeds. Review information security policies and communicate with the staff. Conduct vulnerability assessment and penetration tests. Find the gaps and put plans to achieve the end state.

Understanding your current cybersecurity posture is like creating a map before embarking on a journey. It provides you with a clear picture of where you stand in terms of security and helps you chart a course for improvement. By identifying your assets, such as data, systems, and infrastructure, you can prioritize their protection based on their value and importance to your organization. Understanding your risks allows you to focus on the most critical vulnerabilities and threats, ensuring that your efforts are targeted and effective. Overall, this understanding provides you with the foundation you need to develop a robust cybersecurity strategy that aligns with your organization's goals and objectives.

Concur, where I have found that a formal risk assessment (based on a known framework, full asset inventory, and using cyber risk quantification (CRQ) methods) to set the security risk posture baseline is essential. The prioritized mitigations therein are then captured in your risk register, which aligns your security program, maximizing the business resilience. This information is then used to craft your cyber risk story on the value to the business, which is well socialized with leadership for awareness and support

Fortifying your company's cyber defenses is paramount. Begin with a thorough evaluation of your digital ecosystem to pinpoint vulnerabilities and misalignments. Utilise comprehensive assessments and cutting-edge diagnostics to scrutinise networks and applications, ensuring your strategies are not only current but also in harmony with your corporate objectives. This proactive stance not only mitigates risks but also unveils opportunities for streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency, ultimately contributing to a more robust bottom line. Embracing this approach fosters a culture of vigilance and collaboration across departments, driving home the significance of cybersecurity as a cornerstone of sustainable business growth.

Implementing new technology wisely will include in assessing your organization's needs, researching solutions against the same, pilot testing, providing training and support to your employees, ensuring data security and compliance, integrating with existing systems and collecting feedback for continuous improvement.

Absolutely! Implementing new technology wisely is paramount in safeguarding your organization's cybersecurity. While adopting innovative solutions can enhance your security posture, it's crucial to conduct thorough assessments of the technology's capabilities and potential risks.

Adopting new tech requires a careful balance, ensuring it aligns with your financial and operational scope while emphasising security. Opt for solutions that incorporate key security features like encryption and real-time monitoring. Assess the potential of cloud computing, AI, and other emerging tech, focusing on their security benefits. Prioritise thorough testing of these technologies before integration to safeguard your infrastructure. This approach not only strengthens your cyber defences but also ensures a secure, scalable growth path, reflecting a strategic commitment to comprehensive protection and efficiency.

-Prioritize security features when adopting new technologies or upgrading existing systems. -Conduct thorough risk assessments before integrating new solutions into your infrastructure. -Implement robust encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems to fortify your defenses against cyber threats.

New technology implemented should 1) align with business needs. 2) mitigate risk within acceptable levels of appetite and tolerance 3) ensure compliance

Also consider an overall human risk management (HRM) approach, whereas there is more needed than just an effective, tailored security, education, training, and awareness (SETA) program (e.g., assume someone will always click). In addition, isolate user mistakes from causing damage, by using optimized technical security controls and tracking their results. Use an attack surface management (ASM) effort to help maximize the control’s effectiveness. Embed SETA and controls in a HRM policy

Absolutely, training and educating your staff is paramount in safeguarding your organization's cybersecurity. In today's rapidly evolving threat landscape, employees are often the first line of defence against cyberattacks.

Elevating cybersecurity requires educating your team on cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and secure technology practices. Regular training ensures everyone stays updated, fostering a culture where reporting, feedback, and collaboration are encouraged. Define clear cybersecurity roles, making each member a crucial part of the defence strategy. This approach strengthens your defenses and nurtures a proactive, informed workforce, serving as the frontline against digital threats. Investing in such an environment not only bolsters security but also promotes a unified commitment to safeguarding your organisation's digital assets.

-Provide comprehensive cybersecurity training for all employees to raise awareness about common threats and best practices. -Regularly update staff on cybersecurity policies and procedures to ensure compliance and vigilance. -Foster a culture of security consciousness by encouraging employees to report suspicious activities and adhere to security protocols.

At the heart of it, a cybersecurity program is only as strong as its team. The truth is, the biggest vulnerability in any cybersecurity effort is the human factor. That's why building a culture of cyber awareness is crucial. It's not just the cyber pros who need to understand the dangers of clicking on suspicious links, everyone should. Plus, it's essential to make sure your cyber team has access to the training and resources they need to keep their skills sharp and up to the challenge.

You are probably aware of Pareto 80-20 rule. You can get rid of 80 percent of the problems by solving only 20 percent of rhe root causes. That works in cybersecurity too. About 70-90 percent of all cybersecurity breaches start with phishing. Therefore a short but successful education program would prevent at least 70-90 percent of potential threats, while using much less than 20 percent of your resources. Together with this prompt benefit comes delayed benefits such as cybersecurity awareness and corporate culture.

Absolutely, keeping your organization's cybersecurity strong is paramount in today's threat landscape. One fundamental step towards safeguarding your systems is continuous monitoring and updating. Regular monitoring allows you to detect anomalies or suspicious activities promptly, enabling proactive responses to potential threats.

Monitoring and updating systems are key to robust cybersecurity. Vigilantly oversee your network and systems for unusual activities, employing firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems for optimal defense. Regular updates and patches are essential, addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing system integrity. This proactive approach not only prevents potential breaches but also ensures that your digital infrastructure remains resilient and secure, safeguarding your organisation's data and assets against evolving cyber threats.

-Implement continuous monitoring tools to detect and mitigate potential security breaches in real-time. -Regularly patch and update software, firmware, and operating systems to address known vulnerabilities and enhance security. -Establish incident response protocols and designate a dedicated team to promptly address and mitigate security incidents.

Monitoring touches the most vectors on the ATT&CK model. Motoring gives visibility. Establish a baseline of tooling, application and system performance. This will reduce false positives from generating alerts. Establish a taxonomy for alerts based on the most critical assets and alert severity

Responding and recovering from incidents is crucial for maintaining cybersecurity resilience. Ensure you have a dedicated team and a clear plan to address cyberattacks effectively. Implement a robust backup and recovery strategy to minimise downtime and restore operations swiftly. It's vital to thoroughly document and report all incidents, analysing them to glean insights that can strengthen your future cybersecurity measures. This adaptive approach not only aids in swift recovery but also enhances your defense mechanisms against future threats, ensuring your organisation remains agile and secure in the face of digital challenges.

Protecting your organization's cybersecurity is paramount in today's digital landscape. To safeguard against threats and ensure resilience, it's crucial to prioritize both proactive measures and effective incident response strategies. Implementing robust security protocols, such as regular system updates, strong access controls, and employee training on cybersecurity best practices, forms the foundation of a proactive defence.

I recommend everyone to conduct one simple test: Assume the data got corrupted and needs to be restored from tape/ cartridge/ other source stored at a far distant location (this is a rare but plausible case). Getting a replacement machine getting this data, and then installing/ restoring this data - just take 1000 records and calculate the total time. Have you breached any RTOs /(which were in few hours range)? Then estimate if you had to recover/ restore 10000 records or half a million records - what time would it take! Would you still be within your RTOs? Perhaps days would be breached. Do this test please!

The respond and recover with incidents tends to either presume or assume or even pretend to have a magical business continuity inbuilt. Unfortunately this perspective is wrong and needs correction in the mindset. Only when the mindset will change and integrated testing is participated - an assurance of resolution capability is limited to the mindset

-Develop a comprehensive incident response plan outlining roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures. -Conduct regular drills and simulations to test the effectiveness of your incident response plan. -Collaborate with law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and industry partners to investigate and remediate security incidents swiftly and effectively.

Having a plan that aligns to the business objectives and strategy is key. Testing the plan on a regular basis, or when systems change is paramount to success.

I have come to realize one thing as we continue to put extreme emphasis on the technical need to mitigate risk. Machine can be programmed and reprogrammed to achieve our technical security but within the heart of a man is a weakness. Human being is still the weakest link. I, for an example with all the articles have written for years and my corporate exposure , alongside of all the trainings, nearly clicked a malware that came as an email few days ago. It was a spear phishing. I was weak that day. I had an anxiety going on about some pressing demands. I just wanted to reply to my emails and continue sourcing for the help needed. It was just a pause and deep breath due to a diff. scenario that made me realize I was about to click a MW.

Regularly reviewing organization's cybersecurity posture through audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement. Continuously evaluate and update security policies to align with evolving threats and industry best practices. Provide ongoing training to employees on cybersecurity awareness and best practices. Enforce the use of MFA to add an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorized access. Regularly update software and systems with the latest security patches. Deploy IDS and SIEM tools to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity. Establish procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents. Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and trends to continuously improve defense mechanisms.

An organisation has conducted three cyber security drills and the time taken to conduct them has been less than planned. So, this is a great success! They have also noted some improvements and have implemented them. As a third party, I have a different view. These have been very easy and simple tests. They should do more complex tests. One of the improvements is involving external stakeholders e.g. customers, regulators, media etc. The moment they do this, most likely the test will go for full day - just in interacting with the external parties. If it happens to be a ransomware attack - the big decision 'to pay or not to pay' may take hours. If the number of machines blocked is high, it will take long to recover. etc. etc.

The baselines established with monitoring are only a start point. From there you can find latency, processing failures, and acceptable service levels.

If your organization’s cybersecurity is at risk it means your organization’s business is at risk. Cybersecurity is not an and should not be see or treated as an organizational vertical sitting. It is a horizontal axis running through all business processes in an organization. This equates to: “cybersecurity risks” do not operate in a vacuum. Actually, cybersecurity risk does not exist (they may though be seen as a “sub type” of risk). The only risk that exists is business risk. View and treat the situation as such. You are there, as a security expert, to support your organization.

Stay compliant with cybersecurity regulations. Assess risks across systems, networks, and processes. Train employees on cyber threats and best practices. Enforce multi-factor authentication for added security. Deploy advanced endpoint protection against malware. Keep systems updated with latest patches. Restrict access based on least privilege principle. Develop and test incident response plans. Invest in threat intelligence for proactive defense. Monitor and manage third-party vendor risks.

Culture and leadership are pivotal in cybersecurity. Leaders must embody their principles, setting a tone for vigilance, awareness, and continuous improvement. This involves regular training, sharing breach insights, and recognizing all levels' security efforts. Moreover, embedding cybersecurity culture means adapting to local nuances; a one-size approach fails. Experiences in Singapore, Australia, and the UK underscore the need for tailoring strategies to local contexts. Promoting a culture of innovation within teams is also crucial for a risk-aware posture, encouraging creative thinking and safe experimentation. Adapting strategies to local norms and strengths enhances efficacy

Adhering to a structured framework and adopting a layered approach is imperative in cybersecurity. Standards such as ISO 27001 and the NIST CSF provide comprehensive guidance for designing, implementing, and operating an ISMS effectively. Recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; instead, tailor your security measures to your organization's specific needs and risk profile. Given the constantly evolving nature of the internet and technology landscape, it's crucial to incorporate future-proofing strategies into your technology implementations.

I see a lot of repetition of the same things we have all been doing for ages. What I don't see much of is Testing the Efficacy of your Cyber Security Controls. Are your controls actually protecting you the way you believe they are? That involves Pen Testing ALL of the controls - and implementing a Continuous Threat Exposure Mangement programme to manage drift in real-time. You are most likely to be breached by a known attacker exploiting a known vulnerability with known malware in a known manner (TTP) to achieve a known outcome - you can test for that.

There is no Cyber Security without Physical Security. So, fix the physical first. I do not recommend working from home on a regular basis or for the long term because the physical security and information security of the office can not be achieved at home - anywhere in the world. Do not forget that we are human beings and have the tendency to forget and the tendency to miss common sense. Hence training and awareness should continue regularly.