Every year the Internet is being used by more people and with the IoT, Machine Learning and RPA uprising businesses are more eager to innovate and digitize in order to remain competitive. At the same time companies face the risk of cyber attacks to their own Intellectual Properties and Sensitive Data. Developing a cyber security strategy and a control framework to mitigate any operational and IT risks is crucial in today’s markets. Companies need to improve enterprise’s IT security system so that sensitive data does not leak. Thinking about the safety of an enterprise in advance by involving employees and training them is crucial. We have prepared our set of steps to cybersecurity.
What does security really mean?
What do we understand today under «security» and «informational security»? Security is a state without any threat. Information security is the practical protection of information. If an enterprise has a customer database, it is considered very sensitive information, that needs to be protected.
Here are 3 aspects of informational security:
- Confidentiality – no one has access to the data from the outside, no one who does not work at your enterprise and to whom such access is not provided;
- Immunity – no one could discreetly change the existing data in the system;
- Availability – so that employees and authorized clients can access the necessary information at any time;
On the way to implementing cybersecurity strategy there are some steps to follow:
First step: understand the structure of the information system of an enterprise and identify the most effective ways to improve it. This will take time, but it will contribute to the further successful development of the enterprise. It is important to pay attention to information assets. They always have to be highly protected from external attacks by hackers. For small and medium-sized enterprises, the three most important information assets are as follows – customer data, various lists, and contracts. This sensitive information must be carefully protected, as dishonest competitors may try to hack into the customer database.
Second step: risk assessment test. It will help to understand which data is sensitive within the enterprise. What measures should be taken to protect them? Such an assessment will also lead to a deeper understanding of cybersecurity issues among staff and management. Any company, before starting cooperation with any third party, is always recommended to conduct a risk assessment test. For example, an enterprise attracts a supplier, whose task is to develop a mobile application. In order to realize the task, the enterprise must give the supplier access to its IT system, and this creates a certain risk zone.
Third step: regular employee training. An important role is also played by employee training, so that potential attacks on the IT systems of an enterprise can be timely prevented. Training for employees can be carried out with the help of the IT department and attracting IT consultants. Recently, it has become popular to organize so-called «hackathons». These are intensive 48-hour technology marathons devoted to security and IT topics. While shaping the internal culture of a start-up enterprise, the support of management is very important. If security is important for the leader, it will be important for employees.
Conclusion
In order to create an effective culture of cybersecurity at the enterprise, you need to constantly think about risks and talk about them with employees. The founder of a new enterprise must act consistently and thoughtfully. If there is not enough attention paid to the risks, at some point the data leak may take place. Being vigilant, investing into security and shape an enterprise culture in which cybersecurity is a value is a way to cybersecurity.
Artecha team with help you implement the right cybersecurity strategy.