The Importance of Being Cyber Resilient

Introduction

Anyone with a good business mindset will tell you to focus on practicing proper cybersecurity, practices that prevent hacks and data leaks from occurring. And while cybersecurity is important, you should also focus on creating a strong cyber resilience program, a subject many don’t focus on as much as they should.

While cybersecurity focuses on preventing damage to a system, cyber resilience focuses on creating a resilient system and roadmap that mitigates the damage done. In other words, cyber resilience is reactive instead of preventive.

Cyber Risks Affecting Modern Businesses

But what threats affect businesses? Let’s go over a few:

Malware Attacks

The term “malware” encompasses any and all malicious software (hence the name). From ransomware, malware that aims to lock up systems and extort money out of its victims, to spyware, software designed to collect data without a user’s permission, malware presents a major threat to all businesses.

Insider Breaches

Employees, suppliers, or contractors that act in a malicious manner within the company are known as insiders. Insiders steal data, sell stolen data to criminals, leak data to the public, etc. The reason insiders commit these crimes range from monetary to malicious, and identifying insiders can be difficult without the proper tools.

Data Leaks

The past few years have seen company after company suffer from major data leaks. Capital One, Equifax, Panera, Facebook—the list goes on. These data breaches not only damage the reputation of the business in question, but also hurt customers and put them at risk of identity theft and fraud.

3 Vital Cybersecurity Strategies

Before discussing proper cyber resilience methods, let’s go over a few basic security measures that every business should include in their security routines.

Encrypting Data

Data that lacks encryption lacks proper security. Encryption makes it so that no cybercriminal—no matter how talented—is unable to steal and read data. For this reason, businesses should look into methods that allow them to encrypt all data being sent out, such as using a VPN to encrypt traffic.

Assessing Risk Management

Identifying the risks affecting your business is key to proper security. Every once in a while, it’s important you conduct proper risk management. Proper risk management includes identifying risk affecting the business, working with the right tools and people to fix said risks, and understanding how you can prevent said risks from popping up in the future.

Installing Proper Physical Security

A lack of proper physical security incentivizes the spread of insiders and attracts thieves and criminals who view your business and its contents as a way to profit. Installing proper security measures—measures such as gates around the perimeter, keycards required to enter the building, and cameras placed around the premises—will help keep your business secure physically.

3 Ways to Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience Program

Training Staff On Proper Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience

21% of data breaches happen due to human error. These errors happen often due to a lack of experience or knowledge regarding cybersecurity practices. For this reason, it’s important to train staff on proper cybersecurity measures.

This will also help make sure that employees are prepared to tackle threats when they present themselves.

Focusing on a Threat Response Plan

Proper cyber resilience always includes a proper threat response plan. These response plans focus on how staff will react to the threat and how the threat will be fixed. In other words, these plans focus on the removal of the threat, the security of data affected, employees who may have been affected, and vice versa.

Creating a Cybersecurity Roadmap

Lastly, practicing proper cyber resilience means creating a cybersecurity roadmap. A roadmap will detail the improvements, issues, and factors facing the company. The roadmap will then be used to figure out what needs improving and when, along with how the company can better protect itself.