We’ve heard of numerous breaches in recent years, if not months. These are accurate indicators of how quickly the cybersecurity industry is evolving. Every day, new internet-connected devices are added to the mix. And, as newer devices connect to the internet, more recent methods of exploitation are being researched and invented daily. The truth is that you will never be completely safe. One of the most dangerous cyber exploits today is done locally rather than remotely via the internet, and that is the untouchable mindset.
If you are a member of your company’s board of directors, here is a list of cybersecurity-related questions to bring up at your next board meeting.
Knowledge About Cyber Attacks
First and foremost, the Board must gain insight into the cyber attacks that may target the company.
Cyber threats do not affect all organizations the same way, and some industries are more vulnerable than others. Cyber security is achieved by implementing proportionate controls to protect the business from cyber threats.
Understanding those threats is critical to success, and approaching the problem from a generic “one-size-fits-all” perspective — or simply based on the content of media coverage — is risky and can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Recently, boards use the information to guide business decisions, there has been a greater emphasis on information security. The first thing your board expects from you and your Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a firm grasp on network and information security issues.
Importance of Cybersecurity
In today’s information-driven cyberspace, security threats have become the norm rather than the exception. Most businesses today have at least a small portion of their staff in charge of information technology and cybersecurity. IT teams are growing in size as companies’ defenses become more sophisticated as hackers and malware become more refined over time.
To avoid and prevent data breaches, nearly all industries are making efforts to improve data safety and security compliance across the board. This is true not only for SMEs but also for large corporations and government agencies. Governments at all levels are also developing regulations to improve the safety of economies and citizens, and these laws frequently have an impact on how organizations handle data. Some of these laws that you may be familiar with and that the board should be aware of including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects healthcare data, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), which protects financial records.
Framework Of The Cybersecurity Strategy
The board of directors always prioritizes the board of directors prioritizes board of directors always prioritizes the effectiveness and compliance of all company policies. This question will be asked by your Board to determine whether the firm’s information security is guided by a documented, effective, and efficient structure. It will be simple to acquire equipment and personnel to implement policies with a cybersecurity program that adheres to established standards and frameworks.
It is critical to have a framework to use as a guide when developing security policies and a security program. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to cybersecurity. There are numerous excellent frameworks available, each with its own set of standards based on your company’s requirements.
Alignment with Busines Strategy
Following on from our question about having enough information to oversee cybersecurity, boards should inquire about the company’s data security strategy. It is critical to have a diverse set of minds on your cybersecurity team to ensure that all aspects of your cybersecurity are tightly knit. Nowadays, you can find hackers as young as five years old. No one should be overlooked. Make sure you have the best team, the brightest minds, and a detailed cybersecurity plan in place.
Educating The Employees
Many cybersecurity issues are caused by human error. According to a Stanford University study, employee errors were responsible for 88% of data breach incidents. Aligning all employees, not just the cybersecurity team, around practices and processes to keep the organization safe is a management issue, not a technical one. To recognize anomalies, alert leaders, and ultimately mitigate risks, cybersecurity requires awareness and action from all members of the organization.
According to our research at MIT, the best way to accomplish this is to foster a cybersecurity culture. A “cybersecurity culture” is defined as an environment instilled with the attitudes, beliefs, and values that motivate cybersecurity behaviors. Employees not only follow their job descriptions but also consistently act to protect the organization’s assets.
This does not imply that every employee becomes a cybersecurity expert; rather, each employee is held accountable for overseeing and acting in the manner of a “security champion.” This adds a human layer of protection to avoid, detect, and report any potentially exploitable behavior.
Taking Charge
After establishing its understanding of the concepts, the Board’s priority should be to make sure that cyber security responsibilities are clearly and unambiguously dispersed across the organization.
Cyber security should be formally part of a Board member’s portfolio, with accountability cascading down (directly or indirectly) to an individual specifically tasked with ensuring the business is and remains secure from cyber threats. In many large organizations, this would be the responsibility of the CISO.
The CISO’s reporting line should be precise — and at a level that allows visibility, credibility, and accountability across the organization. The actual reporting line should be determined by the organization’s priorities, not by arbitrary separation of duties considerations.
Roles should be assigned across various lines of defense and corporate silos. A solid Security Governance Framework and Target Operating Model should document those aspects throughout IT and beyond, including HR, Procurement, Legal, Corporate Communications, and business units. They should cover, without complacency, the organization’s true geographical perimeter as well as its reliance on third parties where applicable.
Sun IT Solutions has been providing comprehensive technology solutions to businesses in Toronto, ON, and the surrounding area since 2007. We specialize in telecommunications systems and are excited to have recently expanded our offering to include Toronto IT Services. It’s simple: if you need communication or information technology services, support, or solutions, we’re the people to call.
Sun IT Solutions Managed IT services Toronto. believes that unless you are committed to excellence, there is no point in undertaking any task. Keeping this in mind, we approach your company as if it were our own. We consider the big picture while paying close attention to detail to deliver results that you can see. So how do we go about doing it? We oversee your company’s budget and day-to-day operations. This allows you to focus on what you do best: running and growing your business.
