Issues with culture and systems could cause your business to be at risk.
Many business leaders believe cybersecurity is a challenge that can be resolved by investing enough funds and recruiting the right personnel with the appropriate technical skills to keep them from the media spotlight.
A lot of the time, systemic and cultural problems between IT and non-IT executives, not financial or technical competence of the organizations, expose them to cyber security threats.
8 Best Ways To Avoid Cyber Security Attacks
You can decrease the chance of cyber-attacks by addressing the most common factors that cause failure within your company.
#1. Invisible systemic risk
Companies make everyday decisions that adversely impact their security posture, for instance, not being able to close down a server to ensure adequate patching or choosing to continue working with old equipment and software to reduce the budget.
These decisions that are not reported can create an illusion of security and can increase the risk and magnitude of an attack.
Solution: Recognize to report and discuss systemic risks as part of the standard security management.
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#2. Cultural disconnect
Security for non-IT executives is seen in the same way as “just there,” like water or air. It’s not an integral part of business decision-making.
For instance, a business executive who wants to apply for a new job will probably not add “security readiness” as necessary.
Solution: Put cyber security in a business context to allow executives to see the impact of their actions.
#3. Spending money on the problem
There’s no way to purchase your way out of this -regardless of what you invest, you’ll never be completely protected from cyber-attacks. Preventing risky activity will likely hinder your company’s ability to operate.
Solution: Avoid investing too much in security, which increases operating costs but impedes the organization’s ability to produce results for its business.
Read: Tips for Startups to Protect themselves from Cyber Threats
#4. Security refers to “defender”
If security staff is considered to be (and are viewed as) security guards for the company, this creates the impression of a culture of “no.
For instance, they may stop releasing a crucial application because of security concerns without considering the business benefits that the application will bring.
Solution: The security function is a function that can balance the need to safeguard from a threat while also allowing for the proper running of your business.
#5. Broken accountability
The word “responsibility” should refer to the decision to take a risk acceptable to the key stakeholders. If the responsibility implies the possibility of someone being fired when something goes wrong, nobody will be able to engage.
Solution: Reward those who make choices that protect customers from the threat of a business against the need to manage an enterprise.
Related: How to Become a Cybersecurity Expert
#6. Risk appetite statements that are poorly drafted
Organizations develop generic statements about risk appetite, which do not support solid decision-making. Do not make promises to engage in low-risk activities, as this could create a risk of systemic risk.
Solution: Develop mechanisms to allow acceptance of risk within certain limits.
#7. Unrealistic expectations of society
If a security incident that is headline-grabbing is reported, people want heads to be rolling. Although I’m afraid, that’s not right, and this is the result of years of thinking of security as something that’s a black box.
Nobody is aware of how it functions, which is why it is assumed that somebody committed an error when an incident occurs. However, how we think about security will not change until companies and IT departments discuss it differently.
Solution: Be active in balancing the need to safeguard from exploitation with the need to manage the business instead of blaming.
Related: Tips to Create a Human Layered Cybersecurity Defense
#8. Insufficient transparency
Specific boards and top executives aren’t keen to be told or accept that security isn’t always perfect.
The presentations of the board are full of positive news about the improvements made in safety, but with very little or no discussion of weaknesses and areas to improve.
We know of one business that even decided to put security under legal counsel to ensure that the conversations are confidential.
Solution: To overcome the issues, IT and non-IT executives should be able to comprehend and discuss the realities and limitations of the way security functions.
Information about Cybersecurity Cube: Networks, Domains, Internet Protection Tool