Tips for Navigating Cybersecurity Concerns in Corporate Ecosystem

Cyberinsurance is another consideration for data privacy teams, but it can help Chief Security Officers make the case for more resources (both financial and work hours). Inskeep said cyberinsurance questions also can help companies identify areas of risks and where they need to prioritize their efforts. Such priorities can change, and he said companies need to have a committee or some other mechanism to regularly review and update cybersecurity priorities.

Wilson said one positive change he’s seen is that top executives now understand the importance of cybersecurity and are more willing to include cybersecurity team members in the up-front decision-making process.

Bringing in Outside Expertise

Consultants and vendors can be helpful to a cybersecurity team, particularly for smaller teams. Companies can move certain functions to third-party consultants, allowing their own teams to focus on core priorities.

“If we don’t have that internal expertise, that’s a situation where we’d call in third-party resources,” Wilson said.

Bringing in outside professionals also can help a company keep up with new trends and new technologies.

Ultimately, a proactive and well-coordinated cybersecurity strategy is indispensable for safeguarding the digital landscape of modern enterprises. With an ever-evolving threat landscape, companies must be agile in their approach and continuously review and update their security measures. At the core of any effective cybersecurity plan is a comprehensive risk management framework that identifies potential vulnerabilities and outlines steps to mitigate their impact. This framework should also include incident response protocols to minimize the damage in case of a cyberattack.

In addition to technology and processes, the human element is crucial in cybersecurity. Employees must be educated on how to spot potential threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious links, and know what steps to take if they encounter them.

Key Takeaways:

1. What are the biggest risk areas and how do you minimize those risks?
2. Know your external cyber footprint. This is what attackers see and will target.
3. Align with your team, your peers, and your executive staff. 
4. Prioritize implementing multi-factor authentication and controlling access to protect against common threats like phishing and ransomware.
5. Develop reliable backup systems and robust incident response plans to recover lost data and respond quickly to cyber incidents.
6. Engage team members who are not on the front lines of cybersecurity to ensure quick identification and escalation of potential threats.
7. Conduct tabletop exercises and security awareness training regularly.
8. Leverage intern programs and help desk personnel to build a strong cybersecurity team internally.
9. Explore remote work options to widen the talent pool for hiring cybersecurity professionals, while keeping remote workers engaged and integrated.
10. Balance regulatory compliance with overall security goals, understanding that compliance is just a minimum standard.